Transaid’s annual showcase demonstrates expansion of anti-Malaria programme in Zambia
International development organisation Transaid has celebrated the roll-out of its MAMaZ Against Malaria programme to cover nearly 80 per cent of districts across Zambia. Launched by Transaid within a single district in 2017, the life-saving project was proven to dramatically reduce severe malaria mortality in children under six years of age. It has been recognised in a World Health Organization report as “feasible, safe and effective in hard-to-reach communities.” Transaid presented the latest good news at its annual showcase event at the Africa Centre in London this week (27 November).
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Q3 new HGV registrations fall by 6%
New heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations fell by -6.0 per cent in the third quarter, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The decline was in comparison with Q3 last year, when uptake surged above pre-pandemic levels to fulfil pent-up demand. Demand in Q3 2024 remained robust, at 26.7 per cent above the same quarter in 2019.
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GSF Car Parts encourages garages to prepare for winter
UK motor factor GSF Car Parts has launched its winter edition of Garage Essentials, the popular garage equipment catalogue. It has also confirmed that the publication will now be published quarterly, ensuring that independent garages receive the latest offers on relevant seasonal products.
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UK car production falls 15% in October
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that UK car manufacturing output fell -15.3 per cent in October - the eighth consecutive month of decline. 77,484 units left factory gates, 14,037 fewer than in the same month last year, with plants continuing their retooling to enable production of the next generation of zero emission vehicles.
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Industry backing needed to make government youth guarantee a success
Support for 18 to 21-year-olds in education and employment through a proposed government Youth Guarantee could help alleviate the skills crisis in the automotive aftermarket according to Easy2Recruit. However, the agency helping garages hire overseas talent believes industry backing will be crucial for this to make a difference to the ongoing skills crisis affecting the garage sector.
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Arnold Clark Autoparts sponsors Product of the Year at IAAF Awards 2024
Arnold Clark Autoparts will sponsor the Product of the Year category at the IAAF Annual Awards 2024, which take place following the IAAF Conference during the Federation’s annual Dinner on 5 December 2024 at DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes – the venue for this year’s NTDA Tyre Industry Conference, Annual Dinner and Awards.
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Independent garage AJ Fleetcare wins The Motor Ombudsman’s National Garage Star Award
A family-owned independent garage in Leeds was the overall national winner of The Motor Ombudsman’s 2024 Star Awards. AJ Fleetcare became the third independent garage to claim the award since 2020. The motor industry accolades allow consumers to recognise businesses accredited to one or more of The Motor Ombudsman’s four Codes of Practice, or individual staff members, for delivering an exceptional level of service. This can be at the point when customers buy a car, have it maintained, or during the process of making a purchase or a claim on a warranty.
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Vans need to be at centre of government’s reported ZEV Mandate rethink – FleetCheck
Vans need to be at the centre of the reported government rethink on the Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate, FleetCheck is insisting. The Financial Times says that transport secretary Louise Haigh is in “listening” mode when it comes to ideas that would help manufacturers reach their targets, after Nissan became the latest manufacturer to protest against their feasibility.
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Osram provides training to apprentices
Lighting manufacturer OSRAM recently offered training and advice to apprentices at North London Garages GTA. With apprentices being a significant part of the future of the automotive aftermarket, OSRAM is dedicated to assisting in their education, which is why representatives from the business recently conducted a training session for 32 apprentices.
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Cleevely Group confirms next ‘At Ease With EV’ training dates
Following success throughout 2024, Cleevely Group has announced that its highly acclaimed ‘At Ease With EV’ training courses are set to return in 2025. Aimed at garage owners and technicians with IMI Level 2, 3, or 4 qualifications, the exclusive course offers a unique opportunity to build the confidence and skills needed to tackle the growing demand for EV servicing and repairs.
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Metzeler Tourance Next and Tourance Next 2 tyres recalled in Europe
What began as a recall of 3100 Pirelli and Metzeler-branded tyres in the USA, has been expanded to Europe. Indeed, according to the Metzeler GB website, “a voluntary recall campaign for certain sizes of Tourance Next and Tourance Next 2 has been initiated.”
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21st century recruitment, cybersecurity, AI and more: NTDA heads address 2024 Tyre Industry Conference
Opening the 2024 Tyre Industry Conference, National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) chief executive, Stefan Hay, and NTDA national chairman, Martin O’Brien, drew attention both to the NTDA’s achievement and the benefits of ongoing collaboration but also to the increasingly technological challenges and opportunities facing the tyre business.
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Davanti Tyres becomes technical partner of 750 Motor Club Swift Sport Challenge
Swiftly following the UK tyre brand’s three-year deal with the Mini Challenge Clubsport, Davanti Tyres has signed a technical partnership with 750 Motor Club’s new Swift Sport Challenge. The Davanti Protoura Race semi-slick tyre, supplied and fitted by BMTR Motorsport, will become the control tyre of the new entry-level formula championship from January 2025. The Swift Sport Challenge combines several concepts that aim to reduce the “cost to be competitive.” Regulations will include details such as incentivising road-going cars, disincentivising spending on pre-race test days, sharing car setup data, and removing the ability to use costly performance-enhancing data logging equipment.
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Halfords shares up 11% after first-half 2025 results
Halfords Group plc’s share price shot up after the publication of financial results that both acknowledged market headwinds and reported the acceleration of the motoring retailer’s “Fusion” retail plan. Halfords stock was trading in London at £151.36 a share, up 12.62 per cent during the last five days. Market confidence is clearly high, however, financial analysts also warned that Halfords faces an “uphill struggle” in the execution of its ambitious plans.
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ETB Autocentres promotes Exeter manager to oversee Cornish, Devon and Somerset depots
ETB Autocentres has promoted its Exeter centre manager Tom Beazley to oversee six Cornish, Devon and Somerset branches as retail area manager. The 32-year-old, who has been working in the fast fit industry since the age of 16, has taken on the position after playing an instrumental role in the sustained success at the Exeter depot over the past three years. He will now be a point of contact for centres in Plymouth, Bridport, Bude, Taunton, Exeter and Launceston, assisting them with their daily outputs and providing regular support to improve performance.
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