Comline Auto Parts has joined forces with its hometown Premier League team Luton Town F.C for the 2023/24 season as its new business partner.
Schaeffler’s REPXPERT Bonus Points scheme is moving into the autumn/winter period, with every scan of applicable FAG products between 1October and 31 December automatically entering users into the REPXPERT Millionaire promotion.
The Dublin Driving Dolls are the team from The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event (UKGBE), presented by Automechanika Birmingham, who will be taking on Bangers4Ben, being held 7-10 October across Ireland.
MAM Software has teamed up with WorldPay from FIS as its new payments partner, and has integrated its point of sale process from within its Autopart system.
The ZEV mandate, which requires that a proportion of new cars being sold are electric, with carmakers fined if they fail to achieve their quota, will still be enforced from January despite the 2030 internal combustion engine car sale ban having being rolled back to 2035, the government has confirmed.
The ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, which had been set to come into force in 2030, was shifted back to 2035 by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak yesterday (Wednesday 20 September).
Suggestions that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak could be set to push back on UK net zero commitments, including delaying the ban on the sale of new diesel and petrol cars has met a mixed reaction from the automotive industry.
The move is one of a number of measures that may be announced, and would see the date at which new internal combustion engine car sales would end being rolled back from 2030 to 2035.
The IMI has become the key sponsor of the Automotive 30% Club for 2023 and 2024.
7.1% of nearly new cars for sale have been clocked, with Nissans the most afflicted in this segment, a survey by vehicle history checking provider carVertical has found.
The IMI has launched its digital campaign, There’s More To Motor, across the UK to change the perception held by school leavers and graduates regarding the motor industry.Those who engage will be directed to employers and recruitment agencies offering vacancies in their area.
Ben recently launched a month-long campaign centred on suicide prevention. A new section dedicated this has been launched on the charity’s website, offering up downloadable resources, contact details for further support and information on training and services for employers.
Straightset has become the UK partner for wheel alignment specialists Beissbarth.
Through the new partnership, Straightset will be offering Beissbarth's wheel alignment range, including its 3D wheel alignment systems, alongside its existing Supertracker wheel alignment offering. The full range of Beissbarth products, accessories and parts will be available.
EV production in the UK received a boost today (Monday 11 September) following BMW’s announcement that MINI’s manufacturing base in Oxford and body pressing plant in Swindon will receive a £600 million investment to enable the next wave of electric Minis to be built in Britain.
New car sales jumped up 24.4% in August with 85,657 new vehicles registered, the latest figures from SMMT have shown, despite this normally being a slow month ahead of the September number plate change. However the overall market is still 7.5% below pre-pandemic levels.
UKS has been reflecting on the success of its relationship with TRICO, as the partnership nears the four-year mark.
The finalists for Top Technician 2023, who will be returning to the Delphi Academy on Saturday 14 October for the final, are as follows:
The winner of the unique Snap-on Ford Model-T salesman car replica, put up as the main prize in a special prize draw run by Snap-on UK, has been named.
Celebrating excellence in automated mobility, in the UK and internationally, entries are open now for the inaugural Self-driving Industry Awards.
Aftermarket is launching a brand-new show designed specifically for the automotive aftermarket, and it is coming to you in October 2024.
TMD Friction has been sold by its Japanese parent company Japanese parent company Nisshinbo Holdings to AEQUITA, a German industrial group whose automotive division includes the IFA Group, the SIGNATA Group, the Meteor Group and the Willi Elbe Group.
TPS has been running a ‘Summer of Love’ charity initiative with the network fundraising for national and local charities.
The recent move by the DVSA to include vehicle recalls MOT test certificates will enable franchised dealers to connect with current vehicle owners who are likely to be using independent garages for repairs, the NFDA has suggested.
The used car market grew by 4.1% during the second quarter of 2023, with 1,832,267 vehicles being sold hands, according to the latest figures from the SMMT, with 72,583 more cars sold in the period compared with 2022.
Exol Lubricants has signed up for a sponsorship package with Bromsgrove Rugby Club that will see the brand feature on the front of the first men’s team’s shirt.
Commenting on the recent House of Lords inquiry into electric vehicle adoption, Hayley Pells, Policy and Public Affairs Lead at the IMI, said: “The IMI fully supports the UK government's ambition to transition to zero emission vehicles. This new inquiry, with its focus on understanding the barriers, costs, and benefits of transitioning by the 2030 and 2035 phase-out dates, is timely and essential.
“We are particularly pleased to see that the Environment and Climate Change Committee, led by Baroness Parminter, recognise the importance of seeking input from the automotive sector itself, as well as motorists. With our unique insights across the automotive sector, the IMI is committed to contribute to the inquiry. We stand ready to work alongside the government, our members, and the wider industry to achieve a seamless transition to electric vehicles.”
Commenting on the importance of the government’s approach, Hayley said: “Incentivising a robust UK EV market is vital. The phase-out dates are aggressive but achievable with a collective effort, industry partnerships, and clarity in policy. The development of a clear roadmap, complete with key dates and timelines, will aid all stakeholders in preparing for the transition.”
On the EV market, she said: "The variety of EV options, affordability, and accessibility play a crucial role in consumer adoption. We advocate for initiatives that increase public awareness about the benefits and practicalities of EV ownership."
Moving onto the user experience, she said: “Charging infrastructure, standardisation, and dealer preparedness are pivotal. We aim to work closely with our members and stakeholders to ensure that the aftersales network is equipped to support the surge of EVs on our roads.”
On End of Life disposal of EVs, she added: “Developing sustainable solutions for battery disposal and recycling is paramount. As an industry, we must consider the entire lifecycle of EVs.”
Exeter College and Liverpool’s Hugh Baird College will be hosting the next two OESAA Academy Live events, taking place during September and October.
Aftermarket is launching a brand-new show designed specifically for the automotive aftermarket, and it is coming to you in October 2024.
The IAAF has become part of the global Right to Repair movement, signing a new right-to-repair position statement alongside other worldwide automotive trade associations that sets out ten best-practice principles to developing a framework for right-to-repair legislation for any country.
Motul has taken to the big screen this summer in Gran Turismo , a film based on the story of Jann Mardenborough. He made the leap from playing the Sony PlayStation racing game to becoming a racing driver via a global competition put together by Sony, Gran Turismo game developer Polyphony Digital and Nissan.
IMI CEO Steve Nash has been inducted into The Motoring Hall of Fame.
Both the IGA and NFDA met Transport for London (TfL) yesterday (Tuesday 15 August) to discuss the potential impact of the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on motor sector businesses.
Commenting on the vital need to make sure a greater number of technicians undertake EV training, regardless of the 2030 ban on the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles moving or not, IMI CEO Steve Nash said: “The government has a difficult job to do to balance the UK’s ability to be ready for the 2030 deadline with the hard to ignore environmental threats. The lack of a strong strategy to date for UK-based control of the supply chain is certainly raising questions about the vulnerabilities this could create for our economy and infrastructure.
One EV was sold every 60 seconds in July, according to the latest new car sales figures from the SMMT. 143,921 new cars were sold in July, up 28.3% on the same month last year, making it the best July since 2020 when dealerships reopened after the first COVID-19 lockdown. Overall though, sales were still below the pre-pandemic period.
Ben is looking to support those in the industry dealing with money worries, debt or urgent need across the summer.
Over the last 12 months, Ben has supported 128 households who could not afford to buy food, a further 66 households where rent or mortgage costs could not be met, and another and 52 households who could not afford their utility bills.
Looking at the calls coming into Ben’s helpline, between April and June there was a 23% increase in enquiries and a 20% increase in support cases.
UFI Filters has been commemorating its sixth year in the UK, and the company says it is celebrating the fact with double-digit growth for 2023, a move to a bigger office in Alcester and an increase in the size of the team.
Enrolment for the Security-related Repair Maintenance Information (SERMI) scheme being run by the IGA is now open. All UK Independent Operators (IO’s) and Remote Service Suppliers (RSS) are being invited to register prior to its full implementation on 1 October 2023.
Euro Car Parts parent LKQ Corporation today (Tuesday 1 August) finalised its acquisition of Uni-Select, the owners of GSF Car Parts.
Warranty First has signed up to The Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products, becoming the 18th organisation to join the Code.
A tech video on Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) systems has been added by Klarius to its online library.
The IAAF is now taking bookings for its annual Conference and Awards Dinner, taking place at DoubleTree by Hilton Milton Keynes, on Thursday 7 December, which will be running on the theme of The Brilliance of Resilience’ and feature notorious Barings Bank ‘rogue trader’ Nick Leeson as keynote speaker.
Legislation across Europe is driving up demand for replacement DPFs, and BM Catalysts are pointing out that similar measures could soon be seen in the UK.
The number of newly qualified EV technicians in Q1 of 2023 was 10% lower than the same period in 2022, and the IMI is predicting a 31% year on year drop for Q2 in its latest IMI EV Technician Forecast Report.
The IGA is encouraging garages to take part in a new survey it has launched to gauge industry attitudes to apprenticeships, with a view to using the feedback gathered to lobby government agencies for increased support and resources to help create more openings for young people.
Ben Ball 2023 will be returning to the Old Billingsgate Market on Wednesday 6th December, and the organisation is urging those in the industry intending to attend to book as soon as possible due to what it describes as unprecedented demand for tickets.
The Motor Ombudsman has teamed up with AA Approved Garages, with members of the network being invited to apply for Motor Ombudsman accreditation when joining or renewing their membership going forward.
Newly updated health and safety advice around loads on vehicles has been published by DVSA and HSE.
EV complaints submitted by consumers to The Motor Ombudsman rose slightly in Q2 to 291, against a total of 273 seen during Q1, the body has revealed.
Real-time vehicle recall information is now being included within MOT Testing Service (MTS), the vehicle’s MOT history, MOT reminders and the MOT certificate, with 47% of the cars on UK roads covered as of now.
The IMI is to run a campaign to change perceptions of working in the motor industry to help address the growing skills shortage, and is looking to sign up people to tell positive stories about their careers in the industry.
