Newly-qualified technician, John Couldridge, has secured a much-coveted place on Team UK at WorldSkills London 2011 where he will compete within the 'Automobile Technology' skills category against contemporaries from more than 50 other countries/regions in what is the largest global skills competition in the world.

After 13 years at Grange Business Park, Manbat - the UK's largest battery distributor - has relocated its Shrewsbury HQ 500 yards further along Lancaster Road and into a substantially larger site, which provides the room that the company needs as it continues to expand.

Motoring organisation, RAC is set to be sold to a private equity group in a deal worth around £1bn.

The independent motor industry has heralded a major breakthrough, as new EU legislation is set to increase both the amount of information that vehicle manufacturers will have to hand over - as well as improving the way in which it is supplied.

Suspension component failures are the mechanical 'three-year glitch' most likely to cause a car to fail its first MOT, according to an insurance company.

There's a new suit at one of the OE manufacturers. Mr. Yoshikazu Makino takes over the position of president and CEO of Denso International  in Europe, effective June 22, 2011. Mr. Makino replaces Mr. Shigehiro Nishimura, who is going to be in charge of the Asia Pacific region.

PARTS supplier Comline, has announced that the addition of an overnight third shift, which changes its warehouse into a 24 hour operation, has resulted in a 'monumental increase in productivity', outweighing the extra hours; which enables the business to manage a surge in UK and export sales.

Industry body IMI has expressed concern over the vacancies caused by the skills shortage in the motor trade compared with the wider economy.

The 'red tape challenge' site was set up in the last week of May, following the Department for Transport's strategy to reduce unnecessary legislation from the statute books

THE Federation of Engine Remanufacturers has commended the actions of the Metropolitan Police after its officers raided a West London engine repair business in Southall last Thursday, but has admitted that it was powerless to act on complaints, as the business in question had never been a member.

As Delphi gains more OE common rail contracts, the company is turning its expertise to its aftermarket products as the vehicles come out of warranty. Recently, its Multec diesel common rail system was chosen for the DW10C engine, a shared platform for Citroen, Fiat, Ford and Peugeot diesel vehicles. A number of replacement items are available including a high pressure pump, injectors and an electronic control unit.

A proposal for switching away from 4-2-2 and adopting annual testing has been mooted by a trade official in Italy

The Department for Transport is to hold a 'Red Tape Challenge'

The Government is warning the public and the motor trade alike that all vehicles must be insured or covered by a SORN declaration - regardless of whether the car is on the road, or even in one piece

Britain's worst roads have been named and shamed on a website set up by an insurance company

A bodyshop in Birmingham has reopened eight months after being completely gutted by fire.

A specialist tyre maker has been left fuming following press criticism of one of its products.

/>The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) teamed up with both professional and student photographers to put together this unique gallery of images to challenge existing perceptions of the industry with a range of modern photographic pictures that depict the full scope and scale of the sector and portray the advanced technologies and skills within it. The resulting pictures create an iconic series of images that depict the industry in all its for

The EGEA (European Garage Equipment Association) and FIGIEFA are looking to recruit a technical advisor to support its lobbying activities in Brussels; which aims to safeguard a legislative environment in the EU that provides fair competition in the automotive aftermarket.

/>The RMI’s initiative is to be called Trust My Garage. Speaking at a gala dinner hosted by the RMI on the 21st October, Paul Williams, chairman of the organisation, said that there will inevitably be conflict with existing schemes: “The RMI is supportive of the Motor Codes initiative and give [Motor Codes director] Chris Mason and his people all the support we can.

FOLLOWING the glut of workshop schemes being started or rebranded in recent years, the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) has announced its intention to start a garage code of its own.

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AFTERMARKET editor Tom Mallens was presented with a certificate of appreciation from automotive charity BEN at the Garage Equipment Association's annual dinner at the Birmingham Metropole on April 29th.

THE IMI is urging workshops to check they comply with air con service regulations after European rules were updated.

AN aftermarket firm has made a complaint about an advertisement in a trade magazine.

The society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders had urged the government to consider the pressures on car dealerships and workshops in the forthcoming budget

rong>A new line of twin-tip spark plugs has recently been launched by parts firm Denso.

rong>A new ¼” TechAngle torque and angle wrench is available from Snap-on Tools, designed to save techs time while also increasing accuracy.

Component supplier Euro Car Parts is offering a reward for information after a substantial number of car parts have been stolen from its National Distribution Centre in Tamworth, Staffordshire

An independent 'garage concept' has gone live following a six-month trial

Employees at fast-fit firm Kwik Fit are set to see a new name on their payslip following the sale of the company from PAI Partners to Japanese investment firm Itochu

Ian Simpson, a marketing man at Warranty Direct, explained: "The thinking behind 'amber' sales is simple. Most competent dealers look at wear parts such as tyres and brakes during routine servicing and rank them on a red, amber and green scale. Green parts are fine, red need replacing now and amber have a little wear left. All of these are flagged up to the customer and most will OK the replacement of the red parts and wait on the amber.

A college in the North West is hosting a technical evening to mark the launch of its newly re-furbished Motor Vehicle centre

AN aftermarket firm has made a complaint about an advertisement in a trade magazine.

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BRITAIN'S second largest windscreen repair firm has gone into administration, putting around 1,100 jobs at risk.

SmartCharge battery chargers have a seven-stage charging cycle and have been designed to diagnose, recondition and service vehicle batteries.

Gates has expanded the number of replacement parts available for the accessory belt drive system. The programme includes OE equivalent multi-ribbed belts, all necessary metal components, tools, routing diagrams and technical bulletins to guide technicians.

Meanwhile, aftermarket supplier Fuel Parts has announced David Stubbs as a business development manager. Stubbs joins the firm from Wheely Autoparts, a motor factor in North Yorkshire.

ARE YOU searching for a long-deleted part? Anyone trying to track down a rare bargain will be pleased to hear that the Beaulieu Spring Autojumble will take place on the 14th and 15th May. The event, now in its 18th year, was in its early days somewhat in the shadow of its older sibling, the International Autojumble.  However, in recent years it has gained its own identity and is just in time for the start of the classic show season.

rong>Over 1,500 applications are covered by only 118 wiper blade part references available from Denso. Products include standard, spoiler, curved and twin-screw options, covering more than 95% of the European car parc.

rong>The Accura Qube may be small but the tiny unit provides fast and accurate tyre inflation. The new inflator from PCL has three modes: standard inflate/deflate, tyreshop (which features overpressure) and nitrogen (top off and complete purge).

FAST-FIT chain National Tyres and Autocare has chosen to stock exhausts from a sole supplier. A decision has been taken to solely fit products from UK-based firm Klarius.

rong>Delphi says research shows more than 80% of fuel injection repairs are caused by fuel contamination or poor fuel quality and with biodiesels becoming more popular this figure is likely to rise as it is not regulated to the same standards as diesel.

rong>The new web-based garage management programme developed by MAM Software has been chosen as the preferred choice by the Bosch Car Service network.

The latest battery charger to join Snap-on Tools is said to be the most advanced yet with 300 amp engine starting power and different charging cycles for each type of battery - standard, deep-cycle, AGM and gel cell.