RMI Academy opens 5th training site
The RMI Academy of Automotive Skills is opening a new training site in Cheltenham, offering a comprehensive range of MOT, electric vehicle and technical training to local automotive businesses.
The RMI Academy of Automotive Skills is opening a new training site in Cheltenham, offering a comprehensive range of MOT, electric vehicle and technical training to local automotive businesses.
Liqui Moly’s long-standing commercial director, Dr. Uli Weller, has been appointed joint managing director of the company, alongside Günter Hiermaier. Dr Weller will become the second managing director of the group of companies at the start of 2023.
The Klarius Products range now features 45 new parts, including a catalytic converter (CAT) for the Toyota Verso-S, adding to the product range of more than 11,000 references, offered with next morning UK delivery. Klarius’ most recent products include complete exhaust systems for the Renault Kangoo 1.5 from 2008 onwards, the VW Tiguan 1.4 TSI from 2010 to 2015, and the Peugeot Boxer, Citroën Jumper, and Citroën Relay 2.0 from 2015 onwards.
BM Catalysts’ Selective Catalyst Reduction (SCR) references have continued to grow in popularity in line with market forecasts, with considerably strong launch sales reported across the UK and Europe. The global SCR market size is estimated to reach US$24 billion by 2030, with more than a 13.2 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR)1.
Leading braking product manufacturer TMD Friction has launched a new research and development facility in Seaton Ross, East Yorkshire as part of its investment into serving the independent aftermarket. The launch of TMD Friction’s new premises at Seaton Ross follows a move from its previous proving ground at Elvington. The new facility carries out an important part of TMD Friction’s quality focus with safety-critical tests carried out all day on the test track.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is urging Mark Harper, the new Secretary of State for Transport not to mess with the current MOT test frequency and instead look to strengthen the current 3-1-1 testing regime through the addition of testing the vehicle’s electronically-controlled safety systems (ADAS). The IAAF, along with UK AFCAR, is actively highlighting to ministers and their departments the dangers involved if the first MOT is conducted when the vehicle becomes 4 years old and the risks this creates that then threaten road safety.
Alliance Automotive Group have launched their brand-new e-commerce website NAPAAutoparts.co.uk. The platform provides a solution for retail customers looking to purchase NAPA products and leading aftermarket brands.
The UK Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair (UK AFCAR) has welcomed the new Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MV-BEO) proposals but has called for effective implementation of the proposals.
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is recommending to the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Jacob Rees-Mogg, that the retained Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations (MV-BER) should be replaced by a MV-BEO, which should remain in place until 31 May 2029.
The Tyre Industry Conference 2022 has opened at The Vox Conference Centre, Birmingham. The National Tyre Distributors Association’s annual event, sponsored this year by wholesaler GB Tyres and Indian tyre brand JK Tyre, is presenting tyre business delegates with a stimulating programme of presentations tackling the biggest questions facing different sectors of the distribution chain; from the newest innovations in tyres for electric vehicles to the key issues affecting tyre recovery and recycling. Stefan Hay, NTDA chief executive, set the tone of the event with his opening address, calling for a collaborative effort from the industry to tackle pressing issues, such as the skills shortage and efforts to decarbonise and promote the circular economy. Meanwhile, Simon Wright used his first conference address as NTDA national chairman to pay tribute to his predecessor Martin O’Brien as “a master of the round and black,” and to celebrate the association’s success in promoting tyre technician training and accreditation, with “around 2000 commercial tyre technicians” going through its newest scheme.
Engineered in the UK, EBC Brakes Racing’s Apollo Balanced Big Brake Kits promise an upgrade in stopping power in the performance braking market. Now the kit is available for the Mk4 (ND) Mazda MX-5 (2015- ). Featuring four-piston front calipers, 330mm fully floating two-piece discs, front and rear Yellowstuff pads, braided lines and all fluid/fixtures required, the complete kits offer a firmer and more responsive brake pedal feel, the company says.
There has been a huge increase in the number of MOT testers disqualified in the past two years. Worse still, the latest news is part of a longer-term trend, with disqualifications having been on the up for years. Indeed, nearly 3.5 times more MOT testers are being disqualified now compared with six years ago.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has launched a new training academy, designed to train, develop and upskill new and existing people working within the automotive aftermarket. The academy will evolve substantially when the new IAAF website goes live later this year, but IAAF has moved quickly to implement and promote initiatives and courses that support its growing membership.
Gone are the days of stable pricing for UK manufacturing as the cost of energy and raw materials continues to fluctuate wildly, with the underlying trend being relentlessly upwards. Like most manufacturers, the Klarius Group of Companies (including Klarius, Emissco and KMT) has absorbed increased price pressures wherever possible, offering customers a degree of product price stability. Tackling monthly and even fortnightly supplier price changes, usually with only a few days’ notice, is no mean feat. Now as energy and raw material prices are set to reach record levels, the burden will be felt throughout the supply chain.
Michelin will showcase its non-tyre vehicle accessories at Automechanika in Frankfurt (13-17 September 2022, Stand D88 in Hall 12.1). The brand had 52 licensees in around 130 countries in 2021, together selling more than 31 million Michelin branded products. Michelin says that this puts Michelin Lifestyle Limited at number 46 in a ranking of the world’s most successful licensors. Highlights of the Michelin Automechanika stand will include high-pressure washers, Michelin Eco cleaning and car care products, the new Michelin Jump Starter range, windscreen wipers, snow chains, car mats, and hydraulic vehicle jacks capable of lifting up to three metric tons, making them particularly suitable for SUVs.
Halfords Autocentres’ recent expansion into the top-table of tyre retail is indicative of a wider move towards mechanical work in tyre-orientated garages. Now, many fast fits generate somewhere around 50 per cent of their income from non-tyre business.
According to the latest SMMT data, the UK aftermarket turns over an annual £21.1 billion – making it the ninth largest in the world. And what’s more there are said to be north of 40,000 points of sale in the UK, which means the wider tyre business’s recent shift towards more mechanical work means that aftermarket space is as competitive as ever. Still, the ongoing outlook is good and the aforementioned growth figures are increasing at the same rate as the UK’s growing car parc. As a result, SMMT projections suggest the UK aftermarket sector’s value is set to rise to £28 billion by 2022.
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