Garage news

Millers Oils has issued a warning to the industry that simply lowering the viscosity isn’t enough to meet increasingly stringent emission targets. It says innovative oil development will help reduce friction which is responsible for 20 percent of the engine’s carbon dioxide emissions

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has said that technicians have to be appropriately qualified to deal with modern day vehicles. Research carried out ahead of the launch of its Professional Register, shows that around 175,000 people work in garages on vehicles, but the IMI can only verify 27,000 who possess the necessary skills and competencies to carry out servicing and repair work.

Euro Car Parts has signed an exclusive deal to distribute an unrivalled range of Run Motor engines to the aftermarket. It will see the car parts giant being able to supply 450 of the most popular engine units in the UK, and are championing its unbeatable value, quality and delivery capabilities as its major selling point.

Three lucky winners could drive away with a new brand new Volkswagen Up by simply ordering NGK products before January 31 2014. The latest promotion from the spark plug manufacturer has sees it team up with Unipart Automotive to offer independent garages the chance to win a number of instant prizes from a scratch card.

Autodata has snared another prolific software counterfeiter in south of England with the help of Trading Standards. The suspect who was arrested for piracy and distribution of illegal software, was apprehended in a combined operation between Autodata, Southampton Police and Slough, Monmouthshire and Southampton Trading Standards.

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and the Independent Garage Association (IGA) are aiming to bolster SME’s involvement in apprenticeships. Dr Paul Spears, Head of Return on Investment Programme at the IMI will deliver a presentation focusing on the return on investment and the financial benefit that garages and workshops can receive from being involved in apprenticeships, by referring to some key findings from a recent IMI investment study.

Voting for the 2014 CAT Awards is now open! It is now time to show your support to those nominees shortlisted, who you feel deserve recognition from the aftermarket

BM Catalysts was named the Family Business of the Year at the Midlands Family Business Awards 2013. The Nottinghamshire-based company has won the accolade for the second-year running, after demonstrating again its ability to continue with its development, success, commitment to innovation and excellent governance

Carrying on the Inside Line series, we move on from looking at the Renault Clio and turn our attention to the Volkswagen Polo. Now in its fifth generation it remains one of the most popular small cars on the road.

Husband and wife team Matt and Gill Hanson talk CAT through how a 10-year-old’s dream became a reality in new state-of-the-art facilities. Starting an independent garage is not easy at the best of times, but making the jump from working on your own to employing a team is very much another, as Matt and Gill Hanson will testify