Michelin introduces wiper blade line-up
Michelin has launched its new Stealth and Rainforce ranges of windscreen wiper blades, which together offer replacement fitments for approximately 95 per cent of the cars on UK roads.
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Kwik-Fit highlights LCV tyre repair capabilities
NewsKwik-Fit showed its new range of light commercial vehicle fleet initiatives at the CV Show 2013, highlighting its mobile fleet’s LCV tyre repair and placement capability; its expanded range of premium, mid-range and budget tyres; a plan to expand availability of MoTs on Class 7 vans; and a new Kwik Fit Drive card, for LCV and car fleets, with supermarket fuel and vehicle breakdown and recovery benefits, as well as Kwik-Fit charge reductions.
Approved Garages website launched
NewsA new Government-backed car MOT and Service business has been launched online offering great savings for car owners nationwide. Approved Garages has over 350 industry approved garages throughout England, Scotland and Wales, with more garages joining every day. The simple online service allows customers to quickly find their nearest reputable garage for all their vehicle requirements, specialising in competitive MOT and Services for all car makes and models.
Hofmann extends Spring/Summer Collection promotion
NewsAlthough originally scheduled to conclude at the end of May, Hofmann says its Spring/Summer collection will, depending on stock availability, will be available until this autumn. The promotion features a number of special offers for workshops. First up is the Geolite V3D wheel aligner, which Hofmann says delivers fast and accurate real-time alignment measurements and a profitable revenue stream. Workshops can now purchase a Geolite V3D for just £8,099, saving £3,400 on the list price of £11,499. The 3D aligner is also available as a twin pack with a four post, four tonne electro-hydraulic lift, with front turn plates and in-fill paddles worth £645 included, for only £14,499, a saving of almost £6,000 on the list price of £20,494. With the UK’s pothole ridden roads causing misalignment on millions of vehicles, Hofmann says its many garages make over £3,000 per month through its 3D wheel alignment technology.
Growth continues in April new car market
NewsSMMT figures show that UK new car registrations rose 14.8 per cent in April to 163,357 units. Registrations in the first four months of 2013 grew 8.9 per cent to 768,555 units. April secured the strongest growth in 14 months as buying cycles and market volatility combined to boost uptake.
Londoners most likely to suffer 'avoidable' MOT failures
NewsMotorists in London are more likely than those in any other part of the UK to fail their MOT as a result of simple, easy-to-fix, issues such as blown bulbs, worn tyres and cracked windscreens. The research, conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), indicates that around 1.5 million MOT failures each year could be avoided if motorists carry out simple visual checks of their vehicles and forewarn their dealer of issues, before the annual test of roadworthiness.
Booking ahead essential for optimal tyre service
NewsIt seems being spoiled for choice may also spoil our chances of receiving the tyre service we want, when we want it. Michelin’s head of Fleet, Dave Crinson, opines that a wholesale shift in the way drivers view tyre appointments needs to occur due to the number of tyres now available on the market. This diversity means drivers who arrive unannounced at fast-fit suppliers may end up with a second or third choice tyre, or may be required to return at a later date.
SMMT 'Minute or Two' campaign faces independent backlash
NewsThe Independent Garage Association (IGA) has reacted strongly to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and National Franchised Dealers Association’s (NFDA) ‘Minute Or Two’ MOT campaign, saying is “a blatant attempt to drive business away from independent garages.”
Just a ‘Minute Or Two’ to pass MOT
NewsThe SMMT has launched a nationwide campaign to help motorists reduce MOT failures, backed by 5,545 manufacturer main dealers across the UK.
Research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) indicates that around 1.5 million MOT failures each year could be avoided if motorists notify the dealer of simple problems with the vehicle before the annual roadworthiness test is carried out. In the biggest campaign of its type, 5,545 manufacturer main dealers across the UK will be giving guidance to motorists on the simple pre-MOT visual checks they can carry out on their own car.
Halfords: Trust most important factor in garage choice
NewsWhile many of us may have thought that price is the most important determining factor when it is time to visit a garage, the latest research from Halfords Autocentres suggests it is actually more about trust. The study among UK motorists found that, despite fuel and insurance prices driving up the cost of motoring, the vast majority of owners (62 per cent) value trust above all else.
Tyres & Accessories March 2013
NewsMarch's edition of Tyre & Accessories is due to arrive on doorsteps any day now. The virtual version, however, is online now. As well as the latest news and reviews, the March magazine contains the latest information and analysis on 4×4 tyres as well Ancillary garage services, so if you are a subscriber simply click more to read it now.
Bosch service website goes live
NewsBosch Car Service reports that its all-new service booking website, www.boschcarservicebooking.co.uk, is now live. The new site is aimed at making the process of booking a vehicle into a local Bosch Car Service garage even more convenient, and it provides information for those customers who don’t fully grasp the work mechanics carry out during a vehicle service. New step-by-step animations provide motorists with a visual explanation of the work carried out as part of their chosen service.
Ancillary garage services offer alternative income streams in tough times
NewsAfter a double-dip recession in the UK last year and with widespread financial turmoil across Europe, no-one is denying that these are tough times for garages, autocentres and tyre specialists. And in tough times you need options. So this month we are taking a look at the role that non-tyre services play in the tyre business and asking what they offer garages. For the purposes of this feature we are lumping together everything that is not a tyre and calling it all “ancillary garage services”. Everything that’s not a tyre is probably a clearer definition, but this offers a clear category for all the products that aren’t our beloved round black circles.
VOSA needs dedicated enforcement budget says BVRLA
NewsThe Vehicle Operator and Services Agency needs to be given dedicated resources to meet the looming enforcement challenges associated with the HGV Road User Levy and the increased privatisation of the HGV annual testing network.
Halfords goes ‘Greased Lighting’ during peak MoT month
NewsMarch is said to be the peak month for MoTs, and with this in mind Halfords Autocentres has produced viral film to promote its MOT offer to consumers via social media. In homage to the film Grease, ten Halfords team members perform their own unique interpretation of the film’s ‘Go Greased Lightning’ garage scene – complete with a classic American car and all-new lyrics.
