UK News
Avia Autos joins IAAF
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed Automechanika Garage of the Year 2019, Avia Autos, to its list of members.
Packed AGM sees new-look IAAF council formed
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has held one of its largest ever Annual General Meetings (AGMs) this week, which saw the formulation of a new look IAAF council for 2020-21.
Autotech Recruit celebrates 10th anniversary with rebrand
Ten years after its inception, Autotech Recruit has started the new decade by announcing an enhancement to its management team and a company rebrand, which will cement its status as the leading employment solutions provider for the automotive industry.
Car park prangs cost British motorists £1.5 billion per year
A study has revealed 11 per cent, or 3.74 million, of drivers have seriously damaged their own car while looking for a space to park over the past 12 months. On average they have been left with a whopping £396 repair bill to fix their mishap.
Johnson’s no-deal threat ‘further cause for concern’ for UK auto industry: GlobalData
Ahead of the trade negotiations between the UK and EU next month, prime minister Boris Johnson has vowed to walk away from the table if political and legal sovereignty conditions are not met.
Homeowners can boost EV infrastructure with empty driveways
Earlier in the month, Boris Johnson announced the Government’s ambitious – or as some see it, overambitious – intention to bring forward the ban on new combustion-engine cars to 2035. Many have wondered how the country should go about developing an infrastructure of electric vehicle (EV) charging points within this timeframe. YourParkingSpace, the online parking marketplace, believes homeowners can play a role in keeping a growing EV fleet on the move.
Innovative pothole fix Elastomac could help ease ‘pothole crisis’
Damage to the UK’s A and B routes is contributing to British commuters spending up to four days in traffic every year, and the problem appears to be getting worse. Digital driving app Waze has reporting an increase in potholes by 40 per cent over the past month, with 11,558 alerts made in the UK. Potholes cost British motorists £4bn every year according to Green Flag.
Exhaust systems for Lions, Jaguars and a Golf
Klarius has announced an update to its emission control components range, with fitments for popular crossovers, estates, hatchbacks, hybrids and saloons. Vehicle applications covered include the latest models of Peugeot’s 208 1.2, Jaguar’s shapely 2009-2015 XF 3.0, the trusty 2003-2008 Volkswagen Golf 2.0, the highly economical Toyota Prius 1.8, contemporary models of Ford’s spritely Fiesta 1.2 and the 2014-2018 Fiat Doblo 1.4 van.
50,000 MOT tests cancelled in Northern Ireland
At least 50,000 MOT tests have been cancelled in Northern Ireland since testing ground to a halt a month ago. The Northern Ireland MOT process was thrown in crisis on 21 January after cracks were found on lifts at many test centres owing to the fact that all MOTs are run by the DVA, a Northern Ireland government agency, which had bulk bought the same model of lift for all its centres.
Protyre becomes latest Goodyear agri range distributor
Micheldever group company Protyre is once again distributing Goodyear agricultural tyres within the UK market. It will supply the Goodyear Farm Tires range from its 20 agricultural centres across the country; it already reports high levels of customer interest from Protyre outlets in areas such as Cumbria, Pembrokeshire, Derbyshire, Bristol and Essex.
Venson Automotive Solutions publishes tyres white paper
Venson Automotive Solutions has published a free white paper on tyres for fleet decision-makers and company car and van drivers. The company states that “all too often price wins over vehicle use, age and mileage when it comes to buying and replacing tyres,” compared to the investment devoted to preparing vehicles for the latest connected technology.
Britain – the home of the Pirelli SUV tyre
The UK is one of Pirelli’s biggest SUV markets and with two UK factories, one in Burton-upon-Trent and one in Carlisle, Pirelli is the only premium tyre manufacturer to produce SUV tyres on UK soil.
Exol embarks on largest-ever recycling initiative
Exol Lubricants has embarked on its largest-ever recycling initiative as it becomes one of the first UK lubricants companies to recycle its plastic containers.
British company develops hydrogen electric solution for heavy mining
British company Williams Advanced Engineering is developing a new fuel cell electric vehicle set to become the world’s largest hydrogen powered mining truck.
Autotech Recruit rolls out on-site EV training
The news that the sale of petrol and diesel cars could be banned in 15 years should propel the automotive industry into addressing the serious need for vehicle technicians to be skilled in electric and hybrid vehicle servicing. According to the IMI, who are actively lobbying Government to get the automotive industry’s workforce appropriately qualified, just 5 per cent of UK vehicle technicians have been trained in electric vehicle servicing. Critically, these untrained technicians could be putting themselves at risk, due to the high voltage nature of electric cars.