News

The hunt is on for Britain’s best garages as Motor Codes opens its annual Garage of the Year competition.

This year the Motor Codes team has recruited Auto Express Driver Power and motoring TV presenter Vicki Butler-Henderson to aid its search.

Tony Wilson speaks to CAT and says sorry for the mistakes and sorry to those that have been hurt by the collapse of Klarius Group – 250 redundant employees and out-of-pocket customers and suppliers. Read more inside.

The Joint Administrators of automotive parts manufacturer and distributor Quinton Hazell Automotive Limited (“QH”) and its parent company Klarius Group have announced 117 redundancies at the QH Glasson Dock site in Lancaster and 79 redundancies at the QH Colwyn Bay site in North Wales today. Both sites have ceased to operate.

The QH business has been sold to Tetrosyl following the administration of Klarius Group yesterday, while a new Klarius emissions business is taking up the reigns at the Cheadle.

As widely expected for the last two weeks, it has been confirmed that Klarius Group today entered into administration. There is no further information at the moment, but a statement from Klarius/KPMG is expected soon.

"Sogefi Group, Europe’s leading OE and Aftermarket filter manufacturer, is announcing the sale of the Crosland Filters brand to Euro Car Parts."

As much as £1.2 billion of last year's designated transport funding from the Department for Transport (DFT) is being spent by local authorities without any oversight, a report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) says.

Euro Car Parts has bought collision repair parts and automotive climate control systems distributor Autoclimate.

The deal, announced today, means ECP’s own offering will be significantly bolstered by the addition of Autoclimate’s stock, as well as the added systems and expertise of the company.

ECP has also announced that Russell Wellings and David Farr, joint owners of Autoclimate, will be joining the Euro Car Parts management team.

ECP Managing Director Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia said: “Autoclimate is a well-established and highly-respected distributor of collision repair parts and products for automotive climate control systems with a reputation for top-quality products and service.”

As Britain continues to struggle to get out of a double-dip recession, an increasing number of finance directors are being faced with the same dilemma. A key customer keeps asking for extra time to pay its outstanding invoices. Here's how to protect yourself against the zombie businesses.

Sogefi has extended its 25-year contract with Groupauto, securing another three-year term as preferred supplier in the UK and Ireland. Sogefi says the renewal shows a confidence in the "quality, scope and value" it offers.