Craig McCracken becomes IAAF president
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has appointed Craig McCracken, group factor manager at Arnold Clark Autoparts, as new president. He succeeds immediate past president Richard Welland and will remain on the IAAF board, alongside Richard, honorary treasurer Lawrence Bleasdale and chief executive Mark Field. McCracken has more than 40 years’ experience in the automotive industry and has worked for Arnold Clark for 37 years.
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Eden Tyres opens 21st branch in Gainsborough
Eden Tyres & Servicing has completed the construction of its 21st retail depot in Gainsborough ahead of schedule, which means the new branch opened on 18 February. Located next to Morrisons supermarket on Heapham Road South, company representatives are clearly expecting decent footfall from such a prime retail location.
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CTSI issues warning about e-bike and e-scooter battery fires
The Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) is warning consumers and businesses about the risks posed by non-compliant e-scooter and e-bike lithium-ion batteries in light of an alarming spate of household fires attributed to the devices. The number of fires caused by lithium-ion e-scooter and e-bike batteries in the UK has surged almost 150 per cent over the past year. In London alone, firefighters attended 88 fires caused by e-bikes in 2022 – an increase of 80 per cent on the 49 responded to in 2021.
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GS Yuasa TV launch answers most frequently-asked battery questions
GS Yuasa, manufacturer of both GS and Yuasa batteries, have announced the launch of GYTV, the new name for its engaging and educational battery-learning videos. GYTV initially features two distinct series, covering battery basics and trade-focused advice, and is now available to watch on YouTube.
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Toyo Tires names Colin Pears MD of UK operation
On 1 April 2023 Colin Pears, currently Sales Operation Manager at Toyo Tyre (UK) Ltd., will take over as Managing Director of the tyre maker’s UK subsidiary. He begins in this role on the date that Teppei Shigeno ends his tenure as President of Toyo Tyre (UK).
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DfT extends 4-1-1 MOT consultation following trade body campaign
Campaigning by automotive industry trade bodies has led to the Department for Transport (DfT) to extending the current 4-1-1 MOT consultation’s closing date to 22 March 2023.
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Rema Tip Top acquires Abracs
Rema Tip Top AG has acquired UK-based abrasive and power tool accessories specialist Abracs Ltd. With the acquisition, Rema Tip Top intends to bring a wide range of new products to existing automotive customers and open up new markets in the UK and beyond.
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Hornchurch Repxpert Academy Live proves a success
The first Repxpert Academy Live of 2023 took place at New City College Ardleigh Green campus in Hornchurch Saturday 4 February, and proved to be another success for the delegates, Schaeffler’s technical training team and the special guests at the event.
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Delphi Technologies wins training award
Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has won ‘Training Scheme of the Year’ at the CAT Awards, held on Thursday 9 February at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel. The event saw a capacity crowd of around 150 guests hosted for a three-course lunch. They were also treated to an interview with four-time British Touring Car Championship winner Colin Turkington.
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Hofmann Megaplan launches new Luxus tyre changer
Hofmann Megaplan is building on the UK introduction of the “premium specification” Luxus garage equipment brand with the new megamount Luxus 70LLF tyre changer. The company says the range embodies a “best-in-class” concept, claiming the tyre changer is the “toughest” yet seen on the UK market. Made in Italy by a well-established producer of tyre changers, Hofmann Megaplan says the megamount Luxus 70LLF’s structure “goes back as far as the early 1980s – when more steel was used and the manufacturing process was arguably more ‘artisan’.” The unit comes with Luxus’ five-year warranty, an annual Service & Inspection from a Hofmann Megaplan factory-trained engineer, and features as standard that would often be considered extras.
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Repairify expands technical sales team
Repairify has expanded its technical sales team with two new appointments. The company said the additions would enhance its nationwide customer service and support, supporting its customers in utilising Repairify’s vehicle diagnostic and calibration technology to its full potential.
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Warrington public transport operator exclusively fits Michelin on new, all-electric fleet
Public transport operator Warrington’s Own Buses has switched to an exclusive Michelin policy with the tyre manufacturer’s Services & Solutions division, as the business prepares to transition its entire bus fleet from diesel to electric. An important part of the new agreement will see 105 new electric buses arrive at the company specified with Michelin X InCity EV Z tyres as original equipment. The X InCity EV Z is Michelin’s first range of bus tyres specifically designed for electric vehicles (EVs).
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January LCV registrations show encouraging growth
UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations grew to 22,098 units in January, a year-on-year increase of 25.8 per cent, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The growth represents the first rise in new LCV registrations since the September plate change last year, and while full year growth is expected in 2023, January is traditionally a volatile month due to the intermittent nature of fleet renewal, with this year -6.2 per cent below pre-pandemic January 2020.
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