Thinkcar reports “surge” in demand for Thinktool Lite
Thinkcar UK says demand is running high for the Thinktool Lite as more technicians seek to add diagnostics capability to their own toolboxes. The entry-level tablet features a 6” HD touchscreen and comes with 2 years of updates included.
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GSF Car Parts opens new Walsall branch
GSF Car Parts has opened its third new branch of the year, and second of the month with addition of GSF Walsall on Monday 11 March. As a result, the GSF network has more than 180 branches across the UK.
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Bridgestone, Kwik Fit sign up for next two years of The British Motor Show
Bridgestone and Kwik Fit will partner as sponsors of The British Motor Show (15-18 August 2024 at Farnborough International) for the next two years. In 2024, Bridgestone will be the events official tyre partner and be partner sponsor of the Motorsport and Modified Arena and Hall. Bridgestone’s consumer business unit director, Brett Emerson said: “Over the past two years, we have enjoyed being at the British Motor Show in partnership with Kwik Fit, in what is both a unique four days of celebrating the automotive industry and what is an exceptional day out for families and all.
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Bridgestone EMEA retail network: record number of female customers
Bridgestone’s retail network in the EMEA region has recorded a 55 per cent increase in female footfall, year on year. Within the UK market , the company’s ETB Autocentres network says it has doubled its customer base of female motorists. President retail EMEA and business leader global Franchise Daniel Giroud said the figures mirrored a gender-shifting pattern across its network of over 3,400 stores, where the number of female staff – including technicians and managers – has increased in recent years. The company expects this evolution to continue growing significantly in future. The company revealed the increase on Friday 8 March, coinciding with International Women’s Day.
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New Yokohama truck tyre range offers CV operators more choice for better mileage
Yokohama has introduced its latest comprehensive range of truck and bus tyres to the UK. The manufacturer’s commercial vehicle tyre lines, which are distributed nationally by wholesaler RH Claydon, have undergone a “significant expansion” alongside an extended service offering. The range has been designed using Yokohama’s latest innovative technologies to help commercial vehicle and fleet operators get the best return from their tyre investments, helping to overcome several key challenges such as extending mileage, making wear more even, and lowering maintenance costs.
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New 2024 Hamaton TPMS catalogue
Hamaton has released an updated TPMS product catalogue for 2024. Available in English, German, French and Spanish, it features “the latest developments in TPMS sensor and diagnostic tool technology.
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Maverick Diagnostics’ Laura Hall marks International Women’s Day
As International Womens Day approaches on Friday 8th March, Laura Hall, the managing director of Maverick Diagnostics, has shared personal journey with International Women’s Day, reminiscing about her first encounter with the celebration while studying in Eastern Europe during the 1990s.
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Straightset equips Kia training centre
Kia UK chose Straightset to design, equip and install a state-of-the-art workshop working in conjunction with Parogon Contracts Ltd to offer a new training facility for Kia apprenticeship and dealer training programmes. As a result, Straightset has designed and fitted a 40,000 sq. ft. bespoke training workshop including the latest training technology, customised for Kia UK. The centre is designed to accommodate 1,500 delegates every year, with scope to expand and grow.
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Translogik provides TyreSafe with access to tyre inspection technology
Translogik reports that it has helped TyreSafe improve its tyre maintenance information campaigns across the UK by providing them with the latest Translogik tyre inspection tools, which TyreSafe will use to rapidly inspect and capture tyre condition information during 2024.
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UK van sales continue to grow in February
UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 2.2 per cent in February to 17,934 units, marking 14 months of consecutive growth, according to the latest figures from the SMMT While February is traditionally a lower volume month, as many operators delay procurement until March for the new numberplate, the increase represents the best February performance since 1998.
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New car sales – best February for 20 years
The UK new car market has recorded its best February performance for two decades as registrations rose 14.0 per cent to 84,886 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the 19th month of consecutive growth, which has primarily been driven by fleets investing in the latest vehicles. Indeed, fleets and businesses were responsible for the entirety of February’s increase, with registrations up 25.2 per cent and 15.5 per cent respectively. Private uptake continued to struggle, with a -2.6 per cent decline to record a 33.7 per cent market share. February is traditionally volatile as the lowest volume month of the year, with buyers often electing to wait until March and the new number plate.
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Return of Schaeffler Repxpert Millionaire promotion
Schaeffler’s popular Repxpert Millionaire promotion is back for 2024, giving garage owners and technicians more chances to win one million Repxpert points. The points can then be spent on repair data and training or in the Repxpert Bonus Shop on tools, workshop clothing and electronic gadgets.
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Delphi to support veterans with EV qualification giveaway
Delphi is set to give away six IMI electric and hybrid vehicle technician qualifications to deserving ex-military and serving personnel. It comes as figures show homelessness among military veterans in England has risen by 14 per cent in the last year. Recognising the dedication and sacrifices made by those whove served, the new initiative from Delphi Academy aims to equip the most-deserving veterans with in-demand skills. “As a proud veteran who served 10 years in the Royal Air Force, Ive experienced first-hand the challenges of transitioning from military to civilian life,” said Luke Garratt, UK technical services manager at Delphi. “Through this campaign, we’re offering a lifeline to a promising future in the automotive industry. With the worlds focus shifting towards electric, these skills will open the doors to an exciting new career.”
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Bond International completes purchase of Central Scotland warehouse
Bond International has completed the purchase of a 200,000 sqft warehouse in Bathgate, Scotland, continuing the Pocklington, Yorkshire-based tyre wholesaler’s expansion of operations north of the border. Elsewhere in Scotland, Bond has also acquired Birkenshaw Distributors Ltd and formed a joint venture with Goodtread Tyre Co, enabling the company to make same-day deliveries to “a large proportion of Scotland.” The new warehouse is located on the M8 belt between major Scottish cities Glasgow and Edinburgh, allowing it to deliver to both population centres several times a day.
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SMMT calls for ‘Fair taxes for a fairer transition’
The automotive industry is calling for the UK’s chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to put the UK’s shift to electric vehicles back in the fast lane, with fair taxes for a fairer transition. New research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) from Savanta has revealed that rising numbers of would-be EV drivers are now likely to delay their switch to a battery electric car – but a three-point plan of tax reform would recharge the market and accelerate the UK’s progress towards net zero.
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