Is it a motorcycle helmet? No, it's the latest piece of eye-catching packaging from Osram.

THE INSTITUTE of the Motor Industry (IMI) has been re-appointed as a Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the retail motor  industry.

rong>The company’s fleet management system can now alert staff that their vehicle is about to enter the London Congestion Zone.

A new catalogue lists more than 100 new exchange parts in the company's rotating electrics range.

HELLA'S programme is a marketing and technical support scheme for independent garages. A high proportion of these in the UK specialise in air con servicing and repair - a rising number are electrical and electronic repairers.

If you need to remove or install lower ball joints on a BMW E36 3 series then this kit could be just the ticket.

THE COMPANY has come across a number of basic errors on measuring systems recently after recalibration had been carried out, supposedly to PAS 125 standards, as part of a full bodyshop service.

One for the engine re-builders, this additive helps protect the camshaft and valve train during the running-in period.

Following a decision earlier this year, the company now supplies the independent aftermarket with a wide range of out-of-warranty BMW, Jaguar and Land Rover parts.

rong>It’s not just summertime that brings out the worst in cooling systems. Lack of maintenance means problems crop up in winter too, says Design Engineering.

Just Car Clinics has become the UK’s second largest independent collision repair chain after acquiring branches in Redditch and Stourbridge.  

According to Corteco, the main cause of clutch leakage is wear of the engine-side and gearbox-side seals.

DEALERS are no longer able to meet the stringent standards set by manufacturers, according to industry consultancy Network Automotive.

XPART has become the first UK distributor for Suplex coil springs.

rong>This latest addition to the Laser range is for repairers who remove or install self-adjusting clutches fitted to BMW, VAG, Mercedes, Volvo, Renault and Vauxhall vehicles.

THE 'OBD Log' diagnostic data recorder from Texa has taken top spot in the Equip Auto Grands Prix for Automotive Innovation.

rong>Whether you want to keep track of pressures to optimise fuel economy and carbon savings, or lap times round a race track, this pressure gauge could prove useful for motorists of almost every type.

The Vibro impact glow plug remover kit uses vibration to loosen seized glow plugs. It removes the risk of breaking plugs and damaging cylinder heads in the process of removing 8, 10 and 12mm plugs.

A QUARTER of company car drivers have never checked their tyre tread depths, according to a survey by safety charity TyreSafe.

TOOL firm Sealey has revealed a potential safety issue with the 230-12V power transformer supplied with its LED2105 rechargeable inspection lamp.

CORPORATE support for the Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair is growing as leading trade associations publicly offer their backing to the garage scheme.

ECP now stocks a complete range of Bosch filters for diesel and petrol cars. The range includes fuel, oil, air and cabin filters. There are more than 1,700 filters covering virtually all European passenger cars.

rong>This auxiliary unit gives vehicles an added blast of lighting power. Hella says it will appeal particularly to off-road vehicles, trucks, large pick-ups and rally cars.

STEVE Kennard, owner of 1st Class Garage in Brighton, has started making podcasts covering common vehicle problems and technical tips.

This 83-piece set includes 30 3/8" square drive sockets which, Britool claims, should last a lifetime in the toughest working environments.

TYRE RETAILER Blackcircles.com has joined forces with Unipart to launch an online vehicle servicing scheme.

The manufacturer will explain the causes of premature belt failure and how to avoid them. The courses will be hosted by motor factors around the country and include advice on tension settings and the latest fitting techniques.

Now installed in a new HQ after burning down in January 2008, FAI has more than 400 timing belt kits on offer to cope with the rise in demand for all-in-one belt replacement solutions.

This set is suitable for a wide range of applications and a variety of cars, in particular models from Audi, Volkswagen, BMW, Mercedes and BMW. It also works on Vauxhall, Ford and Peugeot vehicles.

SOME of the best companies in vehicle diagnostics - including Crypton, Texa, Launch UK, Autodiagnos and V-Tech UK - will be showcasing their latest products and information at the Workshop 2010 exhibition next year.

Exhaust fittings join the Veco brand at Kidderminster-based distributor Universal Automotive.

JOHN Ball has been appointed to the new job of MOT chairman at the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

The growth of ATA is set to continue after Bosch gained approval to carry out ATA assessments at its headquarters in Denham.

FRENCH battery charger and welding company GYS is gearing up to take on the UK market.

Only slightly larger than a mobile phone, this set is for people who don't like to be caught without their repair kit to hand.

DUTCH software company Vivid Automotive is planning to rival Autodata with the planned launch of its technical data packages into the UK market.

A limited edition version of the Solus Pro has been built to celebrate the 5,000th sale of the diagnostic tool.

Parts firm Optimal is preparing to launch its suspension, bearings, shock absorber and brake pad products into the UK for the first time.

To help with engine re-builds, this pack contains every lubricant and additive you'll need.

AUTOLOGIC has officially launched its French diagnostic software package at the Equip Auto exhibition in Paris.

It takes Usain Bolt less than 10s to run the 100m - and according to RW Motortec, it takes the "lightning fast" C Reader V less than 10s to scan through a vehicle's entire electronic system too.

VOSA has revised its MOT requirements, meaning many small workshops will be able to upgrade their testing facilities to ATL or one-person test lanes.

A new 5-litre 'Vision' bottle is out now. It will contain only Carlube synthetic and mineral oil ranges to differentiate them from competitor brands.

DELPHI has launched a series of new courses from its Warwick training headquarters.

Remy's transmission programme now has an additional 779 driveshafts and 289 CV Joints, bringing the total to over 3,000 part numbers covering 95% of the UK car parc.

PARTS company Honeywell has attempted to prove the superiority of its Bendix brake pads in a live demonstration at the Boxberg test track in Germany.

SYSTEMS expert James Dillon is heading north to offer training courses from Doncaster.

The new epoxy primer surfacer is for use on sanded-through areas and to cover bare metal or substrates underneath.