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.

M

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.

Recent additions to Tecalemit's range of garage equipment include a Class I and II adapter kit for the standard Class IV and VII roller brake testers and the option of headlamp beam testing which indicates a pass or fail on the integrated LCD screen.

INDUSTRY

THE REQUIREMENT to have an annual MOT test for pre-war cars may be scrapped following a meeting held between Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, Conservative MP for East Yorkshire Greg Knight, who is the Parliamentary group chairman, and Mike Penning, the transport minister.

A NEW survey appears to show that the number of people considering buying a plug-in hybrid or battery electric car as their next vehicle purchase has risen from 9% to 53%, representing a five-fold increase since the same question was last asked in July 2010.

rong>Three treatments available from Forte have been developed to help independent workshops keep their customers’ fuel systems and components clean. They aim to prevent contamination which can make oxygen sensors in petrol engine vehicles fail, resulting in misfiring, juddering and a loss of power.

rong>This nifty piece of kit communicates with the on-board computer and once faults are identified and repaired, resets the warning light - an essential service tool for today's garage.

The company has a well-regarded apprentice scheme. At any given time, there are approximately 50 new techs following a three or four year training programme across several disciplines ranging from engineering, manufacturing, wood and leather craftsmanship, to logistics and sales and marketing. Bentley also has a long-established graduate trainee programme with 30 people taking part in a bespoke two-year course that equips them for future management positions. It also works with several UK leading universities so that current undergraduates benefit from industrial placements.

A deal has been signed between Tesco and online tyre retailer Blackcircles.

rong>This new range of automotive batteries is available exclusively through FPS. GS Batteries cover 99% of the vehicle parc and include car, CV, marine and leisure applications.

rong>The Hunter WA series aligner console can now benefit from the latest WinAlign 11 operating software, helping to simplify alignment tasks further and reduce the time it takes to undertake complex wheel alignment work.

/>Car parts supplier ADL has been taken over by the Febi Bilstein Group in a deal for an undisclosed s

Contrary to a number of media reports, the Vauxhall Lifetime Warranty advertising campaign has not been banned.

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A SMALL business expert has written about the tough times predicted for owners of small to medium enterprises (SMEs) such as garages throughout 2011. These factors include increased costs and late payment.

THE Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced that the closing date for the SkillAuto competitions has now been extended to 17 January.

THE REST of the country might grind to a halt at the first sign of a snowflake, but that simply isn't an option for the garage trade.

rong>The Cypher is a PC-based diagnostic tool pitched at the experienced diagnostic technician; enabling you to work now and into the future.

rong>This scanner is also J2534 pass-thru enabled and provides auto-search facilities for most makes, so there’s no need to enter VIN details or engine type.

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THE COUNCIL of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF)

rong>In Spring 2010, 250 steering and suspension part numbers joined FAI Automotive’s steering and suspension programme and were listed in a supplement to its catalogue, adding more than 1,000 new applications.

THE HEALTH and safety executive has issued a bulletin to garage owners warning about the risks of cutting up old containers oil drums.

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THE MOTOR insurance repair research centre Thatcham, has named Peter Shaw as its next Chief Executive. Coming from the energy sector, Shaw will join the organisation in April next year and succeeds Peter Roberts who has led the insurer funded Centre since 2001.

January 2011 sees the launch of what Lucas Diesel claim to be "the first true off the shelf" range of remanufactured diesel injection products, distributed through FAI Automotive.