General Motors has renewed its approval of paint company Spies Hecker's products for repair and refinish of its vehicles.

STRICTER emissions controls will mean a rapidly-expanding market for lambda sensors, with added opportunities for garages and factors, says Denso aftermarket sales boss Paul Payne.

Pico Technology has announced more training dates to help repairers get the latest knowledge of scope-based fault-finding. The Pico courses are designed to take the fear out of oscilloscope diagnostics, guiding delegates through from the basic understanding of a scope, to the software interface and kit contents and then into the workshop to see the scope in action.

It looks like a calorie counter or pedometer but the Auto Current Tester from Frost is actually the latest gadget for making electrical checks on cars in your workshop.

Aftermarket couldn't resist the unusualness of the latest news from welding and battery charging company GYS. The company's online website game Master of Welding has been awarded the 2010 Prix Coup de Coeur marketing trophy. The award was presented at the French e-marketing awards for the best innovations in the field of digital marketing.

rong>Tuning firm Unichip Europe has unveiled a U-connect Unichip ECU for the Nissan 350Z. The plug-and-play device aims to boost power by 20 bhp and raise peak output from 264 to 284 bhp.

With an eye on engine management, Bosch is reminding garages about the good margins to be made on lambda sensor replacement.

Triplewax Car Shampoo has been revised and improved with a new formula. The company claims the result is a richer cleansing agent that offers "outstanding results" against modern day pollutants.

The Unique seen here, is the latest addition to the Italian-made MAK Wheels range, distributed in the UK by Yokohama HPT.

Parts firm XPart is launching a range of front and rear bumpers and bonnet bars for the classic Mini with what it claims is a more superior finish than ever.

rong>The 2010 cooling catalogue from Gates includes everything from hoses to cooling accessories and provides for passengers cars to light commercials.

Electronic tuning firm Superchips has released a so-called 'plug-and-go' remap for the popular 2.7 litre Land Rover Discovery TDV6.

The full range of body shop and refinish information available on the Standox.co.uk website can now be accessed via mobile smart phone.

A micro cordless impact wrench is the latest product to join the Snap-on Tools range of tools, tool storage and diagnostic kit. The 3/8" wrench provides 600in.lbs of torque, with 95lbs bolt breakaway torque, great for getting into restricted access areas. This makes it ideal for working under the dash or when removing interior components.

Pro-Align are very proud to introduce what they call the 'King of all premium wheel alignment lifts'. The Hunter RX40 scissor lift promises increased productivity, saved labour costs and greater throughput due to a slick and streamlined wheel alignment process.

As mentioned in the news section of last month's Aftermarket, diagnostic firm Launch UK is stocking the Auto Book tool in a bid to attract business from workshops that want to venture into diagnostics without getting bogged down in the most advanced and complicated fault-finding techniques.

If you are after fast diagnostics coupled with an easy to use programme, consider the Global Pro Tool-100 from Tapley Instrumentation that can be used on both petrol and diesel engines.

The hose clip company has created a workshop pack which, as the name makes fairly obvious, is a collection of hose clips designed specially for workshops.

Three new CarPlan packet wipes join the existing range of car care products, designed for 'on-the-go, no fuss cleaning'.

Distributor FAI Automotive has attempted to revitalise its image with new packaging for its timing belt kits, sold under the FAI Auto Parts brand.

The latest 2010 brake caliper catalogue is out now from Brake Engineering and, according to the company, it contains the widest range of calipers in the UK aftermarket.

Motorbike spark plugs are increasingly replicating their high-temperature cousins fitted to passenger cars, says NGK. The company says there is an on-going trend towards "hotter, automotive-style plugs" as the drive to reduce emissions hits motorbikes too. Hotter plugs can also enhance idle stability.

A next generation, low viscosity synthetic engine oil for use in both petrol and diesel passenger cars joins ACDelco's existing range of synthetic, mineral and transmission gear oils.

This wiper arm puller has been designed to make your life that bit easier when faced with a wiper arm that won't budge.

This poster, available to workshops and factors, has been designed to remind technicians of the need to replace the steering rack and pump together. It can also be used to demonstrate to customers how to avoid unnecessary costs in the future.

Deals on over 300 products can be found in the SIP Spring Promotion that runs until June 30th.

The parts identification system has been updated to make it easier and quicker to find the right replacement part.

A valve activation tool joins the TRW easycheck service range of tools, in preparation of all new cars to market from 2012 having Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS's) fitted as standard.

This device lets you convert a conventional cordless, electric or pneumatic drill into a blind rivet gun. Frost says it can set up to 14 rivets per minute - which is about twice what could be done using hand tools.

The latest Pro XL Recoil kit contains a combined tap wrench and installation tool for repairing threads on wheel bolts, spark plugs, brake calipers, oil sumps and drain plugs.

This tamperproof cap locks onto the existing dust cap of a R-134a system so if the vehicle returns to your workshop with the caps broken, you can then decide whether you trust the third party has serviced the system with the correct refrigerant, lubricant and additives.

In a bid to convince you why you should invest in its new Geolite 3D wheel aligner, Snap-on did a bit of research into potential returns on investment.

Like all air con units from equipment firm Tecalemit, this fully-automatic air con service unit comes with a high-side coupler which incorporates a purge valve to ensure no refrigerant is lost to the atmosphere. As a result, it's fully compliant with the latest F-gas regulations.

rong>The bods at Tetrosyl have obviously been busy recently with 3 new oils to choose from.

This latest light acts as a dual-function day and night lamp. It can be used as a Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) in the day and an extra styling lamp once darkness descends.

Hella has extended its choice of Varta batteries for cars and commercial vehicles. The company now stocks Varta units alongside its own Hella Power range.

Designed to prevent overfilling and wasted fuel from spills, this device automatically shuts off when the tank is full.

A choice of fused battery-earth straps for Ford Transits are now available from Unipart.  From 2000 to 2006, all Transits were fitted with a fused negative earth strap. This can easily blow if a van is started in gear or has a faulty starter motor causing too much current to flow. "As a result, all power is lost until the blow earth strap is replaced," says Unipart.

The latest software is out now for TRW's hand-held service tool. It contains 235 new vehicle applications across 11 VMs ranging from Alfa Romeo and Fiat through to Renault and Volvo.

rong>A wide choice of tools and special offers are available in tool company Sealey’s Spring Promotion catalogue, which is out now. Unlike previous years, the 2010 promotion has been extended until 31st May.

Draper Tools has launched the 2010/11 edition of its main tools catalogue. The 724-page publication features more than 8,000 product lines and is available in a handy A5 format, as well as the traditional A4 size.

The company is enhancing its choice of test kits with 6 new units added to the range. The most common is the 30855 version designed for European cars.

Asian coverage, including Honda and Hyundai, are at the centre of this latest update for Hella Gutmann Solutions' (HGS) Mega Macs range of diagnostic tools.

This latest publication includes more than 200 additional parts, covering both belts and timing belt kits. According to Federal-Mogul, the expansion nearly doubles the company's previous range.

Kits for the Isuzu Rodeo 2.5DT 2007> and the Suzuki Swift 2005> join the expanding range of kits available from Blue Print.

Designed for use in cars, caravans, trucks and motorbikes, this unit is designed to charge and maintain 12 volt batteries. It delivers free solar power and, according to Solar Technology, can extend a battery's life by up to 20%.

rong>Workshop kit company Nederman is highlighting the benefits of self-retracting hose and cable reels in line with a campaign by the Health and Safety Executive to reduce slips, trips and falls.

Tevo is using its stand (number 5814) to launch its latest racking system. It uses customisable storage modules so users can create the storage system that's right for their particular needs.

The tool company has updated its rear ball joint remover and installer kit for BMW 5 and 7 Series models. The 4498A kit has been revamped with an improved design to cover later 5 Series (E60 and E61) and 7 Series (E65 and E66) models.

If you're looking to build a new, or re-design an existing, workshop, Dura claims it has the expertise needed.