Most functions in the vehicle require electrical power. In vehicles with a combustion engine, this is generated by the alternator. In contrast, the car battery serves as a power store and buffer. But what happens when the belt drive is no longer attached to the crankshaft, as in an electric vehicle? What components take the place of the alternator, and what does that mean for workshops?
LKQ Corporation has announced the forthcoming retirement of its European executive vice president and CEO, John S Quinn, and the selection of Arnd Franz, current chief operating officer of LKQ Europe, to succeed him effective 1 October, 2019.
Mahle responds to significant market interest for Mahle solutions in the area of workshop equipment by laying the cornerstone for the construction of a new Service Solutions centre in Parma. The three locations of Mahle Service Solutions will now be brought together under one roof, across an area of 15,000 square metres. In the future, the location will develop and produce equipment for the maintenance of air conditioning systems and transmissions as well as diagnostic tools and equipment for the calibration of driver assistance systems.
In a time when the automotive aftermarket craves consistency of supply, SRS Autoparts – based in Glasgow and Edinburgh – has invested in its availability of Mahle filtration due to “overwhelming demand” from garages.
From 2019, Euro Car Parts Group, the UK’s leading distributor of parts for all makes of cars and light commercial vehicles, and over 200 affiliates, is the official distributor of the new ACX ActicPro line for the UK and Ireland.
The automotive industry is in the midst of a digitalisation process. Connectivity and autonomous driving developments offer wholesalers and workshops additional sales potential. However, anyone whose job it is to efficiently and reliably diagnose, calibrate, and maintain a large number of different vehicles requires a competent service partner. This is where digital solutions provider Mahle Aftermarket comes in, the company states, offering up-to-date interconnected service and diagnostic tools.
One year ago, Mahle launched the Classic Line, a special spare parts segment for vintage and modern classic cars. The range has grown steadily since then, and now includes engine parts such as cylinder liners, pistons, valves, and bearings as well as starter motors, alternators, thermostats, and filter elements. With almost 100 years of experience, Mahle can guarantee the very highest quality.
One of the UK’s largest single site motor factors, Autosupplies Chesterfield, has become the latest UK distributor to stock Mahle Aftermarket products, by adding its OE quality filters to its extensive product range. The award-winning motor factor has added Mahle in order to meet increasing demand from independent garages. With the business growing year on year, Autosupplies now employs over 100 members of staff and more than 60 vans and is now one of the largest single branch motor factors in the UK.
Mahle Aftermarket has introduced a new packaging design across seven of its leading brands. The new-style packaging will feature bold colours, concise information and a clearer design, all aimed at facilitating handling in motor factors and workshops. It will be available from 1 January 2019, with the current packaging to be used in the interim before being gradually phased out.
In a buoyant period that has seen its team strengthened with a series of new appointments and promotions, Mahle has announced that Aliya Lam will be the new sales manager for Northern Ireland & Eire, in addition to her current role as sales & marketing manager at Mahle Aftermarket UK.
In addition to his current role as managing director for Mahle Aftermarket in the UK & Ireland, Jonathan Walker has been appointed the company’s Western Europe general manager for Aftermarket. He takes over from Georges Mourad, takes on the position of global director of operations within the Aftermarket business unit.
A facility to test new vehicles for emissions has opened in the UK as car manufacturers battle a bottleneck in updating line-ups to the latest protocols.
The facility in Northampton, built by Mahle Powertrain, is unique in the UK, and is claimed to be the world’s first dedicated Real Driving Emissions test centre.
The Mahle Group plans to acquire all the shares in Behr Hella Service GmbH, its current joint venture with Hella, and to distribute Behr Hella Service products via its own aftermarket organization. This step will further strengthen Mahle’s position in thermal management. Following a transitional period, Mahle intends to manage the spare parts business for thermal management products on its own, starting on 1 January 2020.
Mahle Aftermarket has added more references to its growing filtration range, including three new fuel filters, four cabin filters, two oil filters and six air filters.
The Mahle Group has increased its holding in BrainBee, an automotive workshop equipment specialist, to 80 per cent of the company’s shares. After a strategic minority holding of 20 per cent was agreed in September 2017, Mahle Aftermarket is now taking another important step toward becoming a solutions provider. With this majority acquisition, Mahle Aftermarket is significantly expanding its European presence in the area of equipment and services for workshops.