The infamous Vampire jet car is set to be on display at Schaeffler’s brand new national REPXPERT Conference, which is taking place on Wednesday 22 May at the Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC) Coventry.   Visitors to the Conference will be able to get an up-close-and-personal look at the record-breaking car, which left a Top […]

Technicians attending the first ever ‘At Ease With EV’ training course held at Cleevely EV in Cheltenham on Saturday April 6th have hailed it as a ‘game-changer’.   Cleevely Group, a pioneer in the servicing and repairs of electric vehicles (EVs), launched its new training course to build the confidence of technicians who have IMI […]

  HELLA’s brand new training facility HELLA Academy was officially opened yesterday (Wednesday 17 April) in a ceremony that also saw the facility formally receive Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approval.   Representatives from the IMI were at the event, where the certificate and plaque confirming IMI centre status was presented to Steve Fox, […]

  HELLA has signed on as one of the main sponsors for veteran kart racer Alex Magee’s run in the Wera Tools British Kart Championships 2024, who also happens to be one of their own team members, working in the Product Support department for Hella Gutmann Solutions.   31-year-old Alex drives with the Tonbridge-based GMS […]

  HELLA has unveiled a new range of OE quality Tesla and BMW light units for the automotive aftermarket.   Inner and outer sections of Tesla’s Model 3 and Model Y LED rear light are now available. For BMW’s 3 Series, HELLA supplies both the standard LED headlight unit and the matrix headlight upgrade which […]

  Time is running out for garages to nominate candidates for the first-ever REPXPERT Awards, which will feature during Schaeffler’s brand new national REPXPERT Conference.   Garages have until Friday 10th May to put forward potential candidates for the ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and the ‘Extra Mile’ awards.   The ‘Apprentice of the Year’ award […]

  Independent garages facing the challenge of Cyber Security Management (CSM) are gaining more support thanks to the latest software update for mega macs diagnostic devices from Hella Gutmann, with the brand-new version 73 offering even wider coverage through the addition of Hyundai to the list of 15 vehicle manufacturers catered for.   879 specific […]

  Easy2Recruit, the agency helping garages hire overseas talent, is exhibiting at Mechanex Harrogate, being held at the Yorkshire Event Centre (YEC) from 16-17 May, where its staff will be talking to visitors about how its programmes are helping the automotive aftermarket address the skills crisis.   Easy2Recruit launched in June 2023 and since then […]

  Quentin Le Hetet, Country Director UK at sector intelligence analysts GiPA, is the latest keynote speaker to sign up for the Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference.   Quentin will kick off the event, looking at how independent garages can prepare to future-proof themselves in the face of a rapidly changing technological and business environment.   “The […]

  Electric vehicle applications once again feature heavily in Delphi’s latest round of first-to-market braking components.   It comes as the latest data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders (SMMT) shows sales of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are up by 10.6 per cent year-to-date, compared to 2023.   “EV brakes represent a real […]

Awarding-winning garage management system, Garage Hive has announced the launch of a new international partnership programme to expand its availability to garages worldwide.   Prospective partners will benefit from extensive business support, training, and guidance, empowering them to effectively launch Garage Hive in new international markets using established methods.   “As we expand our reach […]

  Award-winning garage management software (GMS), Garage Hive is exhibiting at the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event at Birmingham’s NEC on June 5th and 6th. Garage Hive will be showcasing its community-driven, all-in-one solution for garages on stand AA28.   Members of the Garage Hive team – including Garage Hive director Alex Lindley – will […]

  Matt Cleevely, the esteemed owner of Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV), is set to offer his EV expertise at Schaeffler’s new national REPXPERT Conference for UK garages at the Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC) Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May, 2024.   At the REPXPERT Conference Matt will reveal the nature of EV work that independent garages […]

Valeo Service UK’s recent IMI-member event which celebrated two decades since it first pioneered stop-start technology has been declared a resounding success.   Held at the Valeo Service UK IMI-approved training centre in March, the evening event attracted a diverse array of attendees from across the automotive industry, including mechanics, garage owners, college tutors and […]

  Award-winning garage management software, Garage Hive has successfully completed its relocation to a new purpose-built site in Nottingham.   The move comes as Garage Hive outgrew its previous offices and sought a larger space to accommodate its expanding team and enhance its services.   “We are incredibly excited to unveil our new UK headquarters,” […]

  One lucky garage could soon get their hands on an overseas vehicle technician at no charge, something that would normally cost £5,800 in fees plus VAT to arrange, thanks to a fantastic prize draw being run by Easy2Recruit, the agency helping garages hire overseas talent.   To enter, garages just need to provide their […]

  The third and final winner of Schaeffler’s REPXPERT Millionaire promotion for 2023, which was for FAG products scanned between October and December, has been announced as The Village Garage, based in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, with the announcement being made as the competition returns for 2024.   The Village Garage is a VAG and EV/hybrid […]

  Delphi has announced its partnership with young racing hotshot, Joseph Knight. The sponsorship will see the eighteen-year-old represent Delphi as he competes in the BRSCC AIRTEC Motorsport Fiesta ST240 Championship.   Joseph has shown exceptional skill and determination in his racing career. His journey from karting to senior racing has been marked by podium […]

  Ticket sales are now open for the fifth annual independent garage conference and networking event – The Blend 2024 – with ‘early bird’ discount available until 30th June.   The highly anticipated one-day conference, set to take place at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Saturday, 28th September, promises an enriching experience with insightful […]

  Hereford | March 27, 2024 | In the run-up to the REPXPERT Conference taking place on Wednesday 22nd May, Schaeffler has launched a new online vlog series featuring Phil Curry interviewing famous aftermarket figures including Dean Lomas and The Garage Inspector, Andy Savva.   The first vlog in the series, which is already available […]

  Forvia HELLA has confirmed that it will be exhibiting its latest lighting and electronic innovations at the Commercial Vehicle (CV) Show from 23-25 April at the NEC in Birmingham.   Located on stand 5F70, occupying an impressive 44sq.m., visitors to the Forvia HELLA stand can expect to see industry-leading solutions. A team of experts […]

  Award-winning garage management software, Garage Hive has announced a new integration with Vehicle Visuals to further boost garage customer service levels.   Vehicle Visuals provides a wide range of high-quality explainer videos for automotive repair and maintenance tasks.   Service advisors can now offer customers clear visual explanations of vehicle faults in an easy-to-understand […]

  Valeo Service UK has announced the appointment of Michael Gougeon as Key Account Manager, bolstering its commitment to excellent customer service.   With over 21 years of experience in the automotive industry, including eight years within Valeo Service UK, Michael brings a wealth of expertise and a proven track record of success to his […]

  Schaeffler has recently expanded its sales team by welcoming two new Territory Managers, one covering the North of England and Scotland, and the other taking responsibilities for the South East of England.   Kieran Smith, based in Sunderland, has taken on the role of Territory Manager for Scotland and the North of England, after […]

  Garage owners and technicians are being urged to ‘book now’ before the last few remaining places on Cleevely Group’s new ‘At Ease With EV’ training course gets underway next week.   The unique EV training course takes place at the Cleevely EV training facility in Cheltenham on Saturday April 6th. It promises hands-on high […]

  An exclusive VIP ticket to watch a football match from a stadium Skybox in either Munich or Berlin is up for grabs for users of the Valeo Specialist Club app.   Anyone who scans Valeo products and registers on the website by May 15th is eligible to be in with a chance of winning, […]

  Thinkcar UK is developing a national relationship with Motor Parts Direct (MPD) to enable more UK garages and technicians to access Thinkcar products more easily.   Thinkcar’s innovative range combines advanced diagnostics functionality with attractive price points. Solutions starting from under £500 for diagnostics are now selling in volume to individual technicians as well […]

  Colin Denton, star of TV’s Classic Car Garage has been unveiled as a keynote speaker for Schaeffler‘s all-new REPXPERT Conference, which takes place at the Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May, 2024.   Having clocked-up decades of automotive experience, when he’s not in front of the camera, Colin is busy as […]

  Schaeffler’s REPXPERT Conference is now less than two months away, and technicians and garage owners are being urged to sign up as soon as possible. There are limited spaces available for this brand new event at the Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC) Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May 2024, and they are being taken up fast. […]

  After unprecedented wet weather, OEM headlamp manufacturer HELLA believes drivers need reminding that fogging or condensation inside lighting units doesn’t usually mean the lamp is defective.   HELLA TECH WORLD has a ‘troubleshooting’ step-by-step flow chart to help garages understand when condensation on the inside of automotive lighting lenses should considered be a concern. […]

  Nominations are now open for the first ever REPXPERT Awards, which are set to be a major part of Schaeffler’s brand new national REPXPERT Conference, which will take place at the Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC) Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May 2024.   “We want to use our new REPXPERT Conference as a platform to […]

  Thinkcar UK says demand is running high for the Thinktool Lite as more technicians seek to add diagnostics capability to their own toolboxes. The entry-level tablet features a 6” HD touchscreen and comes with 2 years of updates included.   “We’re seeing the market evolve really quickly as there’s now so little technicians can […]

  Cleevely Group, a pioneer in the servicing and repairs of electric vehicles (EVs), has confirmed dates for its new ‘At Ease With EV’ training course. It will be held at the Cleevely EV training facility in Cheltenham on April 6th, July 20th, and October 12th.   Offering hands-on high voltage education, the course aims […]

  HELLA has raised more than £6,400 for automotive industry charity, Ben after it entered two teams into an epic three-day ‘Race Across Britain’.   Inspired by the BBC TV series ‘Race Across the World’, Ben held its race from 26th to 28th February raising vital funds to support people in the automotive industry who […]

  Valeo Service UK is set to commemorate two decades of pioneering stop-start technology with an exclusive IMI-member event at its training centre in Redditch on Tuesday March 12, 2024 from 6:30pm – 10:00pm.   Valeo introduced stop-start technology in 2004, initially debuting on the Citroen C4. Known as the ‘starter alternator reversible system’ (StARS), […]

  Schaeffler’s REPXPERT team made a long trip north, to Tyneside AutoHaus in Newcastle upon Tyne, to support and train on an INA timing belt installation.   Alistair Mason, Technical Services Manager at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket UK Ltd, helped replace the complete timing belt system on a customer’s EA288 engine, which can be a problematic […]

  Schaeffler’s popular REPXPERT Millionaire promotion is back for 2024, giving garage owners and technicians more chances to win one million REPXPERT points. The points can then be spent on repair data and training or in the REPXPERT Bonus Shop on tools, workshop clothing and electronic gadgets.   Three REPXPERT Millionaire promotional periods have been […]

  Delphi is set to giveaway six IMI electric and hybrid vehicle technician qualifications to deserving ex-military and serving personnel. It comes as figures show homelessness among military veterans in England has risen by 14 per cent in the last year.   Recognising the dedication and sacrifices made by those who’ve served, the new initiative […]

  HELLA has announced the launch of its Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved training facility, HELLA Academy in Chipping Warden, Banbury.   Initially opening with two IMI accredited Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) courses, the brand-new training centre is equipped with a modern classroom and state-of-the-art workshop to blend key theoretical learning with […]

  Schaeffler launches INA electric auxiliary water pumps Electric auxiliary water pumps are an essential part of modern combustion engines, as well as hybrid and electric vehicles   Schaeffler has introduced a range of electric auxiliary water pumps under the INA brand. The range meets OEM standards and offers wide coverage of the European vehicle […]

  Easy2Recruit, the agency helping garages hire overseas talent, has launched ‘Student2Skill’. The innovative initiative is designed to pair international students studying in the UK with garages looking for part-time workers.   These students can undertake up to 20 hours of work per week, obtaining valuable practical skills and potentially vocational qualifications in the process. […]

  Community-driven garage management software, Garage Hive is set to support Schaeffler’s new national REPXPERT Conference for UK garages at the Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC) Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May, 2024.   Specially invited to advise attendees on how to boost business performance, the award-winning garage management system will have a strong presence in the […]

  The UK’s fastest-growing tyre retailer Protyre Autocare (Protyre) has turned to Delphi for a bespoke training programme to support its ambitious growth plans.   The partnership, which began in 2018, will significantly expand this year to cover well over 1,000 Delphi training sessions.   “Training investment is crucial if you want to stay at […]

  ‘She Talks Cars’ creator will host the Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference on Wednesday 22nd May in Coventry   Automotive journalist, TV presenter and content creator, Abigayle André has been named as hostess for the inaugural Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference which takes place at the Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May, 2024.   Renowned […]

  HELLA has welcomed focus on the issue of headlight glare after The RAC’s own research[i] of 2,000 UK drivers in December 2023 found 85% said headlamp glare is ‘getting worse’ on our roads.   OEM headlamp manufacturer HELLA suggests the high light outputs of modern units mean problems of headlamp alignment now have a […]

  Delphi has announced a new partnership which will see ‘classic and iconic’ car electrification specialist, Everrati, featured in exclusive new IMI TechSafe training from Delphi Academy focused on the electrification of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.   It aims to share best practice advice for independent garages seeking new and exciting opportunities within the […]

  Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference: Wednesday 22nd May at Coventry Manufacturing Training Centre from 9am – 5pm   Schaeffler’s new national REPXPERT Conference for UK garages is to take place at the Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC) Coventry on Wednesday 22nd May 2024, it has been confirmed.   The event, running from 9am to 5pm with breakfast […]

  The Blend is once again extending an invitation for industry insiders to share their insights and expertise by speaking at this year’s hotly anticipated independent garage annual conference and networking event.   The Blend 2024 takes place at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Saturday, 28th September. Building on the success of last year’s […]

  Schaeffler is aiming to help customers and garages get to know some of its key team members through their new ‘INside Schaeffler’ series. The aim is to look ‘behind the brands’ to show the loyalty, expertise and commitment of key staff.   First up is Jo Loughman. A familiar source of help for many […]

  Easy2Recruit, the agency helping UK garages access overseas talent, is heading into 2024 optimistic after a hectic first six months in business.   Easy2Recruit launched in June 2023 at Automechanika Birmingham, going on to attend other industry events including Mechanex Sandown Park, Automotive Management LIVE and the Smart Transport National Conference. The business also […]

  Volkswagen’s ID.7, recently named overall winner of the 2024 What Car? Safety Award, relied upon HELLA electronics to achieve top spot.   The ID.7 topped a five-car shortlist, which was selected based on five-star Euro NCAP test scores. The WhatCar? judges considered safety technology, innovation and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as part of […]

  Delphi says the pattern of demand growth for training experienced during 2023 portrayed an unexpected picture, as the aftermarket continues to wrestle with both upskilling for emerging technologies and immediate technician shortages.   Delphi says in the end, 2023 saw a ‘back to basics’ approach from many businesses.   “We had a rise in […]

  Thinkcar UK has launched a promotion to offer its newest T90 TPMS tool for free when customers buy 20 TPMS sensor valves.   The T90 is a stand-alone ‘plug and play’ TPMS device that can be used directly on the car, without any additional hardware. For ease of use, the sensor valves are ‘universal’, […]

  Garage Industry Trends, the motor industry data platform developed by Garage Hive, has welcomed the government’s decision to retain the current UK 3-1-1 testing regime. The announcement represents a positive conclusion to a consultation process that begun a year ago.   Whilst the governments says it remains “committed to MOT modernisation” (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-committed-to-mot-modernisation-as-consultation-concludes), the true […]

  HELLA says its ‘Customer Experience Centre’ is already proving to be of huge benefit in showcasing the full breadth of the product and service solutions it now delivers to the UK aftermarket.   The facilities – which went live in the final quarter of 2023 – have already hosted an IAAF Regional Meeting and […]

  Community-driven Garage Management Software, Garage Hive had a strong presence at the 1TEC Auto Hub Connect event last week. Taking place on 19th January at The Belfry Hotel in Sutton Coldfield, it brought together industry leaders to discuss the latest trends and innovations.   A ‘Community Connections’ panel session was a key highlight of […]

  Autovaux Car Parts (Autovaux), an independent supplier of automotive parts and accessories, is set to open a fourth branch.   The expansion into West Yorkshire represents a significant milestone for the family-run business, which rapidly evolved from humble beginnings in 2000. With existing branches in Dewsbury, Leeds, and Castleford, the latest addition will cater […]

  Matt Cleevely, Founder and CEO of Cleevely Group, is calling on fellow independent garage owners to seize the opportunities presented by the fast-growing electric vehicle (EV) market.   It comes as new data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) shows Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) registrations increased by 17.8 per cent in […]

  Thinkcar UK has struck an agreement that will see ToolTruck reselling Thinkcar products in 2024.   Thinkcar’s innovative range aims to combine high levels of diagnostics functionality with attractive price points, enhanced by a pioneering remote programming solution that is underpinned by UK-based garage experts.   ToolTruck, part of ISN Europe, already has a […]

  Community-driven garage management software, Garage Hive has been shortlisted for Industry Partner of the Year ahead of the 2024 Car Aftermarket Trader (CAT) Awards next month.   The CAT Awards, a celebration of the automotive aftermarket’s most significant accomplishments, has whittled down more than 220 nominations to a select shortlist of 50 nominees across […]

  Schaeffler is issuing a final reminder that it will be exhibiting at leading agricultural machinery show LAMMA at the NEC in Birmingham from 17th to 18th January.   Schaeffler can be found in Hall 7 on Stand 130, where experts will be on hand to discuss the range of OE replacement product solutions available […]

  Delphi has unveiled its latest first-to-market braking releases, with parts now available for several new Nissan, Renault and Fiat models.   Brake drums and shoes, once a staple in automotive braking systems, are seeing a comeback in some vehicle segments and feature heavily in Delphi’s latest roll-out.   “Brake drums had largely taken a […]

  More than 500,000 independent garage transactions have now been logged on Garage Hive’s real-time data platform, Garage Industry Trends.   The website tracks average invoice value, future bookings, labour rates, net promoter score (NPS) and, thanks to the recent development of Trends 2.0, now also shows demand for repairs and maintenance by vehicle age […]

  Community-driven Garage Management Software, Garage Hive has released its highly anticipated 2024 gross profit calculator. Free to download, the resource helps workshops establish their gross profit and the efficiency required to cover daily business running costs.   Garages simply enter their overheads into the spreadsheet template to automatically generate daily and monthly gross profit […]

  Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV), a Cheltenham-based pioneer in the servicing and repairs of EVs, is seeking technicians to join its fast-growing mobile business.   Launched last year in response to widespread demand, Cleevely EV Mobile is on the look-out for aspirational individuals to help meet the needs of its mobile EV servicing operations across […]

  Independent garages should consider the increasing demand for EV tyres according to Matt Cleevely, Managing Director of Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV).   It comes as new data analysis by Garage Industry Trends reveals that half of all EV MOT failures on vehicles registered after 2016 relate to tyres – almost double that of a […]

  Access to vehicle manufacturer level diagnostics has long posed a challenge for independent garages. And yet, ever-advancing automotive technologies have made them increasingly indispensable, even for routine servicing and maintenance.   Thinkcar aims to address the age-old issue of data access through its pioneering remote diagnostics offering. It’s a solution for workshops that don’t […]

  Community-driven garage management system Garage Hive has enhanced data website Garage Industry Trends. Released at The Blend on 7th October, Trends 2.0 now adds revenue analysis by car age and fuel type.   Since launching a year ago, the Trends data collection platform – which is a free research resource to access – has […]

  Delphi’s state-of-the-art Titan 10 technical Training Centre in Warwick has retained Centre Approval from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), effective for three years. This follows a detailed IMI audit process, completed at the Training Centre during October.   “We’re delighted to have performed well and to be certificated for another three years,” […]

  Easy2Recruit, the new agency helping UK transport hire overseas talent, is currently showcasing their innovative recruitment solution at the Smart Transport National Conference.   The event, being held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham, runs from 21st to 22nd November. The Smart Transport National Conference aims to ‘bring senior private and public sector transport […]

  Delphi has added more than 300 new braking parts in 2023, including 20 first-to-market additions for high-performance vehicles such as the BMW M-series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.   Other new releases launched this year include applications for Tesla, Renault, Nissan, Jeep, Toyota, Honda and VAG to name just a few.   Delphi is renowned for […]

Easy2Recruit, the new agency helping UK garages hire overseas talent, is working through extensive enquiries after drawing a large level of interest at successive trade shows last week.   Starting on Monday, the team first travelled down to Surrey’s Sandown Park for the two-day Mechanex show. Then after leaving late on Wednesday 8th November, they […]

  Easy2Recruit, the new agency helping UK garages hire overseas talent, will make the trip to Surrey for next week’s Mechanex show, which takes place at Sandown Park from Tuesday 7th to Wednesday 8th November.   Easy2Recruit is exhibiting for the first time at Mechanex. Having only launched to the trade in June this year […]

  Delphi has named Sam Harris its latest ‘Master of the Month’, his prizes include a selection of branded merchandise and a trip to Enstone, for an Alpine Formula 1 factory tour in January.   ‘Master of the Month’ is open to any garage with an active Delphi Academy e-learning licence who completes a technical […]

  Specialist supplier Pichler Tools has confirmed attendance at Mechanex Sandown Park, with the event taking place from Tuesday 7th to Wednesday 8th November in Surrey. Pichler Tools will be easy for visitors to spot, their large 6m x 6m stand (B2) is located right by the entrance.   “We’re very much hoping to catch […]

  With the cooler months ahead set to place more stress on starter motors, HELLA is reminding technicians of the need to diagnose faults carefully.   The risks of jumping to the wrong conclusions are starkly illustrated by frequent starter motor failures for 2008 onwards Renault Masters fitted with 2.0 dCi M9T or M9R engines. […]

  Easy2Recruit, the agency helping UK garages hire overseas talent, expects to place its first technicians ‘before the end of the year’ having launched to the trade just a few months earlier at Automechanika Birmingham in June.   The boutique recruitment specialist is promising a new solution to the old and growing problem of filling […]

  Delphi has just released a comprehensive new 66-page training prospectus, showcasing the wealth of solutions now available to the UK aftermarket.   Delphi’s ‘blended learning’ ethos originated to make it as easy as possible for garages to access learning materials, whilst also taking account of the fact that individuals prefer to absorb information in […]

  Cleevely Motors, has achieved yet another remarkable milestone by clinching the highly coveted “Top Garage Award”. This latest prestigious accolade concludes a week in which the independent garage has been recognised with no less than five highly acclaimed awards.   “We’ve achieved a dream,” said Matt Cleevely, Managing Director of Cleevely EV. “We were […]

  Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV), a Cheltenham-based pioneer in the servicing and repairs of EVs, has been recognised with the highly acclaimed EVSure Autocentre of the Year Award. It comes just days after Cleevely Motors was named Garage of the Year at The Blend.   The latest national award was given in honour of Cleevely […]

  The community behind Garage Hive has rallied together in a remarkable display of unity and support, raising an incredible £12,000 for industry charity Ben.   The donation, a collective effort from the entire community and its partners, is an accumulation of a charity hike fundraiser, kind-hearted contributions, and proceeds from The Blend’s 2023 annual […]

  HELLA hosted the final of a series of three IAAF regional meetings on Thursday 12th October, whilst unveiling its ‘Customer Experience Centre’ at the same time.   Around 25 visitors were hosted by the HELLA management team, listening to an IAAF briefing before touring the new Customer Experience Centre. Walk-through zones showcased interactive product […]

  Cheltenham-based Cleevely Motors has secured the coveted Garage of The Year title at The Blend Awards 2023, held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on the 7th October.   The distinguished honour recognises Cleevely Motors’ exceptional care of staff, outstanding customer service and strategic business growth.   “We are immensely proud to have been […]

  Matt Cleevely, the esteemed owner of Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV), recently took to the stage as a featured speaker at The Blend 2023 to share his unique EV expertise and insights with some of the most successful independent garages in the UK and Ireland.   Held at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on the […]

  Delphi has once again helped showcase the best of UK garage technical talent after hosting the keenly contested Top Technician final on Saturday 14th October.   The event took place at Delphi’s state-of-the-art Titan 10 technical training centre in Warwick. Delphi had been asked to host once again after successfully doing so for the […]

  Specialist supplier Pichler Tools enjoyed a busy day supporting The Blend on Saturday 7th October.   Like last year, The Blend – management system Garage Hive’s annual conference – was held at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms but this year, visitor numbers swelled by over 40% to more than 330 delegates.   “We were really pleased […]

  Managing director Ray Dilsons’ opening keynote address at The Blend updated a packed audience of over three hundred and thirty conference attendees on a raft of exciting developments going live on Garage Hive.   Ray was quick to credit Garage Hive’s loyal community of users for driving the continued enhancement of the market-leading independent […]

  Annual conference and networking event for independent garages, The Blend 2023 has concluded with resounding success and record-breaking attendance. Some 330 attendees – an increase of over 40% on last year – from across the UK and Ireland came together to exchange practical ideas and business-improving strategies at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on […]

  Specialist supplier Pichler Tools was named ‘Garage Equipment Provider of the Year’ at the hugely successful 2023 Independent Garage Association (IGA) British Independent Garage (BIG) Awards.   A surprised but delighted Steve Prince, Managing Director at Pichler Tools UK, was first up on stage to collect the trophy from TV sports presenter Mark Durden-Smith […]

  Community-driven garage management software, Garage Hive has been named Garage Management System of the Year at the Independent Garage Association’s (IGA) British Independent Garage (BIG) Awards 2023.   Assessed by an expert independent panel of judges, the win in the new category evidences Garage Hive’s continuing rise to prominence within the independent sector.   […]

  Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV) has hosted a successful first event for garages eager to find out more about electric vehicle opportunities on Saturday 16th September.   Nine garage staff attended an informal action-packed day with Cleevely EV Managing Director Matt Cleevely and top technical trainer Alistair Finch, investigating the equipment, space and business planning […]

  Finalists for The Blend Awards 2023 have been named ahead of the highly anticipated annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on the 7th October.   A remarkable influx of top-tier entries gave the judging panel, consisting of the IMI’s Hayley Pells, industry expert Andy Crook […]

  Curious garages are urged to make last-minute plans to attend an introductory day at Cleevely Electric Vehicles (EV) on Saturday 16th September   Runing from 10am to 3pm, the itinerary will include a detailed tour of the UK’s first independent EV specialist workshop along with presentations from Matt Cleevely, Managing Director of Cleevely Group, […]

  With less than a month to go before The Blend 2023, independent garage owners across the UK and Ireland are being urged to book tickets now before an anticipated sell-out within the coming days.   The annual conference and networking event takes place on the 7th October, 2023 at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. […]

  Delphi Technologies believes many independent garages are still unsure of the diagnostics capabilities they need for newer generation cars and of the technologies they will encounter.   Delphi’s OBD diagnostics offering is built around the DS180 BlueTech vehicle communication interface (VCI). It’s usually supplied in a ‘Car Kit’ including a high specification tablet as […]

  Used car supermarket group, AvailableCar has embarked on a continual development programme with Delphi, investing in the upskilling of its workshop technicians as the vehicles it processes continue to get ever-more advanced.   AvailableCar first opened its doors in 2002 at Castle Donington, East Midlands. Today the family-run business operates across four sites, with […]

  Blue Oval Vehicle Services in Cheltenham is expanding to bigger premises and taking on a new technician thanks to “booming trade”, which the owner puts down to reputation and having the right tools for the job.   Established in 2012 by Adam Clack, having started his career at Ford main dealers, the independent specialist […]

  Garages in the UK and Ireland have been given one last chance to enter The Blend Awards as the community-driven garage management software developer behind the event, Garage Hive, announce a seven-day extension for entries.   Submissions to The Blend’s ‘Garage of the Year Award’ and ‘Staff Recognition Award’ should be made by 7th […]

  Presented by Garage Hive, The Blend has announced the launch of a new and exciting podcast ahead of its annual conference and networking event presented by Garage Hive for independent garage owners in Birmingham later this year.   Hosted by former Garage Wire Editor, Mike Ruff, The Blend Podcast is set to tackle the […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive says a partnership integration with Humm Group Limited (Humm), enabling garages to offer their customers a simple ‘buy now and pay later’ option, is proving popular.   Humm is a debt-factoring service that has been seamlessly integrated within Garage Hive to be used quickly and easily. Humm’s financing […]

Rear brake pads for the Ford Mustang Mach-E 07/2020> have been unveiled as the latest first-to-market release from Delphi.   The Ford Mustang Mach-E was developed from the ground up as an all-electric vehicle and boasts a driving range of around 370 miles under WLTP regulations.   “We’re really excited to announce the launch of […]

  Delphi Technologies says demand from independent garages for its BlueTech diagnostics package has been rising, as awareness of the platform’s advanced capabilities grows.   First launched in 2021, the BlueTech vehicle communication interface (VCI) brings state-of-the-art OBD diagnostics to garages. Though they can choose to buy the DS180 BlueTech VCI only, most are now […]

  Annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners, The Blend has unveiled an inspiring line-up of guest speakers ahead of this year’s widely anticipated industry gathering, which takes place in Birmingham on 7th October, 2023.   An exciting programme will shine the spotlight onto a variety of topics including business operations, challenges and […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive has increased the team supporting its growing customer base.   Marcis Eglitis and Reuben Yeatman have both joined the business in recent weeks as Software Support Consultants. Although new to the automotive aftermarket, Marcis joins with customer service experience in recruitment, Reuben meanwhile brings with an established software […]

  Time’s running out for workshops to place their entries into The Blend Awards, which takes place at the highly anticipated annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners in Birmingham on 7th October.   Submissions to The Blend’s ‘Garage of the Year Award’ and ‘Staff Recognition Award’, both of which are open to […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, say their IVS 360™ support team is now receiving many more calls about air con issues with the mercury finally rising during May after a cool spring.   “It’s a very consistent yearly pattern,” said Tony Gill, Customer Support Manager for UK […]

  Community-driven garage management software, Garage Hive is set to announce the integration of the Euro Car Parts catalogue at Automechanika Birmingham, bringing further time-saving benefits for users.   Garage Hive customers can now access the motor factors’ comprehensive catalogue of products, along with real-time pricing and availability from within the system, before then ordering […]

  Annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners, The Blend has announced Castrol and The Race Group as headline sponsors for this year’s widely anticipated industry gathering, which takes place in Birmingham on 7th October, 2023.   Daytime proceedings will bring garage owners a choice of renowned industry speakers and a trade show, […]

  Bridgend-based Avia Autos is reaping the benefits of the next-generation diagnostic tool from Delphi Technologies. Both the DS180 BlueTech vehicle communication interface (VCI), and Delphi’s free diagnostic training and support have received praise as a refreshing ‘complete solution’.   The workshop made the investment just one year ago, pairing the VCI with Delphi’s DS […]

  Entries for The Blend Awards 2023 have opened ahead of the highly anticipated annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners, which takes place at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on 7th October.   “We’re really excited about this year’s awards,” said Ray Dilsons, Managing Director of Garage Hive. “We’ll be recognising the […]

  Robert Cockings Motor Repairs in Somerset has reported a dramatic increase in turnover since embracing community-driven garage management software, Garage Hive.   Following the switch to Garage Hive almost three-and-a-half years ago, the family business has reinvested profit margin gains into training, tools and equipment to further improve workshop efficiency and customer experience.   […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has added new video content to Masters of Motion, whilst making it even easier for independent garage technicians to receive all future updates too.   So far, this month has already seen the addition of three more ‘How To’ videos aimed at delivering practical on-demand advice to […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, has announced it will be giving away a DrivePro™ Elite diagnostic kit to a garage at Automechanika Birmingham.   Opus IVS says the prize draw winner will receive their DrivePro™ Elite kit, along with 12 months of free IVS 360™ live support. […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has released a Tesla e-learning module on Delphi Academy, marking the first in a new series of brand-specific online training courses for vehicle technicians.   Coinciding with the new release of Tesla Model S and Model X coverage on Delphi’s BlueTech VCI diagnostic tool, the ten-part course […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, last week hosted two successful Technical Open Evenings, in partnership with the Independent Garage Association (IGA).   The events, which took place at the RMI Academy of Automotive Skills in Runcorn on 19th and 20th April, were open to all trade technicians, […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, explain a problem documented for the N12 engine used on 2006 to 2013 second generation Minis.   The fault presents with the engine management warning light illuminated and fault code 2968 stored in the Digital Motor Electronics (DME) from the inlet camshaft […]

  Hillcrest Motor Services in Flintshire, Wales has been recognised for completing a ‘record number’ of e-learning hours on the online learning platform, Delphi Academy.   In less than four months, Hillcrest Motor Services has completed more than 33 hours of training, averaging half an hour a day. Celebrating the accomplishment, Delphi presented garage owner […]

  The owner of a Worcester-based independent garage has left high-praise for Pichler Tools after its new hydraulic wheel bearing removal kit reduced the time spent replacing a seized wheel bearing on a Land Rover Discovery 5 by nearly three quarters.   With a book time of 1.3 hours, Dan Baines, owner of Midland Land […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has announced the release of further first-to-market braking components for Mercedes-Benz and Hyundai as part of its European aftermarket braking program.   Completing the latest round of braking additions from the quick-to-respond supplier are front brake pads (Delphi reference LP3842) for Mercedes-Benz C-Class (W206) C220 2.0, C300 […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has confirmed it will be exhibiting at Automechanika Birmingham 2023.   Visitors to the UK’s largest automotive trade exhibition, which takes place from 6th to 8th June at the NEC, will be invited to get hands-on with the very latest innovations to come from Delphi in hall […]

  Community-driven garage management software, Garage Hive has confirmed it will be showcasing its all-in-one solution for garages and unveiling another new and exciting integration at Automechanika Birmingham 2023.   The UK’s largest automotive trade exhibition takes place from 6th to 8th June at the NEC, with Garage Hive taking a prominent position near the […]

  Specialist supplier Pichler Tools has confirmed it will exhibit at this summer’s Automechanika, with the UK’s largest automotive trade show making a welcome return to Birmingham’s NEC from 6th to 8th June.   Pichler Tools promises a stand ‘packed with top quality time-savers and problem-solvers’ that professional independent garages have been relying upon in […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, says excitement is building ahead of Automechanika Birmingham.   The UK’s largest automotive trade exhibition returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 6th to 8th June. With over two months remaining, organiser Messe Frankfurt UK says garage visitor registration has already exceeded last summer’s […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has announced the launch of new bi-metallic, high-carbon alloy brake discs.   With a 15% weight reduction compared to a single, fully cast-iron disc, the new brake discs help improve fuel efficiency and, thanks to the two-part construction, reduce vibration and noise for an all-round satisfying on-vehicle […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has announced the release of three first-to-market braking components for Jeep and BMW as part of its European aftermarket braking program.   The latest additions include front (Delphi reference BG9513C) and rear (Delphi reference BG5167C) brake discs for the Jeep Compass, Renegade. Front brake pads (Delphi reference […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, say their IVS 360™ support team has handled record numbers of calls in the first two months of 2023.   The festive season saw a big increase compared to last year. Call volumes have since been running at over 700 per day […]

  Specialist tools supplier Pichler Tools has seen business grow significantly in recent years, largely thanks to developing and maintaining long term relationships with its independent garage customer base.   Lindleys Autocentres is a prime example; they started using Pichler Tools many years ago back when it was a single site garage run by father […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive has begun ticket sales for The Blend 2023 – with prices held at last year’s rates.   The action-packed one day annual conference and networking event will return to Birmingham’s prestigious Eastside Rooms on Saturday 7th October 2023.   ‘Early bird’ ticket orders placed before the end of […]

  Garage Industry Trends, the motor industry data platform developed by Garage Hive, has integrated extensive MOT data that is now available publicly for anyone to view.   A raft of fascinating MOT charts and insights is on show at https://www.garageindustrytrends.com. The summaries are created from publicly available UK government data which the site seeks […]

  Opus IVS, leading provider of diagnostics solutions backed by OE master technicians, will host a new trade Technical Open Evening across 19th and 20th April at the RMI Academy in Runcorn.   The evenings are free for garages to attend and will run from 6pm to 9pm with content geared towards training and skills […]

  Alex Lindley, Director of Garage Hive and Lindleys Autocentres, was named this year’s ‘Rising Star’ at the CAT Awards, held Thursday 9th February at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel.   The prestigious industry lunch saw a full house of 150 guests enjoy a three-course meal ahead of an interview with multiple British Touring Car Championship winner […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive has partnered with leading online payment provider Pay360 to offer current UK customers a flexible option for payment processing.   Pay360 is a secure payment platform that specialises in seamlessly integrating within apps and third-party systems.   Garage Hive will be using Pay360 as a cost-effective solution to […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has won ‘Training Scheme of the Year’ at the CAT Awards, held Thursday 9th February at Manchester’s Lowry Hotel.   The renowned industry event saw a capacity crowd of around 150 guests hosted for a three-course lunch. They were also treated to an interview with four-time British […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive is inviting industry experts to share their wealth of knowledge by applying to speak at The Blend 2023.   The fast-growing annual conference and networking event will be back in Birmingham on Saturday 7th October 2023 at the modern and luxurious Eastside Rooms venue.   Last September’s event […]

  Opus IVS, the provider of diagnostic solutions backed by OE master technicians, has returned from Sweden’s Automassen 2023, held in Gothenburg from 18th to 21st January.   Opus IVS attended to support established Swedish distributor Autotek Sweden AB in managing interest at what proved a busy show.   Automassen, the Nordic region’s largest automotive […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, will be a partner supporter of the 2023 Top Garage and Top Technician competitions.   Top Technician, created by Aftermarket magazine in 2002, seeks to identify, develop and celebrate skills-excellence amongst the elite of UK garage technicians. Added in 2018, Top Garage seeks to shine a light […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has launched its new Masters of Motion hub aimed at independent garage technicians.   Delphi intends the launch to be the start of a sustained campaign to support technicians and workshops even more closely.   The Masters of Motion hub hosts a wealth of informative content from […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive will be unveiling extended EV data capabilities at the EV Ready event at Brighton Racecourse on 25th January.   EV Ready aims to be the UK’s first independent garage show dedicated entirely to electric vehicle skills, equipment and technology.   For Garage Hive, EV Ready brings an opportunity […]

  Specialist tools supplier Pichler Tools has joined a strong list of exhibitors for the imminent EV Ready event, due to be being held at Brighton Racecourse on Wednesday 25th January from 5pm.   EV Ready lays claim to being the first independent garage trade event geared specifically towards highlighting the ‘aftermarket’s response to vehicle […]

  Community-focused garage management system Garage Hive is delighted to have been nominated for ‘Industry Partner’ at the CAT Awards 2023.   The renowned networking lunch and awards event has been confirmed for Thursday 9th February, returning to the five-star Lowry Hotel in the heart of Manchester.   A total of ten awards will be […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, has been nominated for ‘Training Programme of the Year’ at the upcoming CAT Awards. The renowned industry event will take place on Thursday 9th February in the luxurious five-star surrounds of Manchester’s Lowry Hotel.   A total of ten awards will be made on the day, across […]

  Delphi Technologies, a brand of BorgWarner Inc, is making final preparations to exhibit at the upcoming EV Ready event, being held at Brighton Racecourse on Wednesday 25th January.   Sponsored by GSF Car Parts, EV Ready is a new concept promising a ‘unique showcase of the aftermarket’s response to vehicle electrification’. The invitation-only group […]

  Specialist tools supplier Pichler Tools is aiming to build momentum after a strong business performance in 2022.   Pichler says demand continues to be exceptionally strong for its time-saving tools for problem automotive jobs such as injector and glow plug removal.   “We grew sales significantly in 2022,” said Steve Prince, Managing Director at […]

  Business has boomed for TR Autos in Yeovil following their switch into community-focused garage management system Garage Hive in May ’21.   The independent Saab specialist, founded in 2008, is run by Tom and Kayleigh Butler. Turnover at the four-person garage grew by £113,000 in their first year with Garage Hive.   After an […]

  Garage Industry Trends, the open real-time data platform developed by Garage Hive, reveals independent garage labour rates rising quickly.   The site went live on 17th September and has been gathering data ever since. The growing number of opted-in Garage Hive customers generating the figures is now around 100 independent garages.   The four […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive has announced its annual conference and networking event The Blend will be back in Birmingham on Saturday 7th October 2023 at the state-of-the-art Eastside Rooms venue.   With next year’s event still very much in the planning stage, customers and garage owners are simply being urged to ‘save […]

  Community-driven garage management software Garage Hive has confirmed the team will exhibit at the new EV Ready event, being held at Brighton Racecourse on 25th January.   Show organisers Garage Wire claim EV Ready will be the UK’s first independent garage event dedicated entirely to electric vehicle skills, equipment and technology.   For Garage […]

  Community-driven garage management system Garage Hive has published a customer webinar hosted on 19th October.   The session was scheduled to make a popular seminar delivered by Garage Hive director Alex Lindley at The Blend 2022 available to a wider garage audience.   ‘How to Set a Gross Profit Target and Why It’s So […]

  Community-driven garage management system Garage Hive has launched a new data website called Garage Industry Trends.   The announcement was made by Managing Director Ray Dilsons during his keynote address to a group of 230 customer and industry delegates attending The Blend 2022 conference at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on 17th September.   Garage Industry […]

  Community-driven garage management system Garage Hive hosted its largest conference to date. The Blend 2022 took place on Saturday 17th September at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms.   Conference attendance was capped at 230 people after surging registrations. The buzz ahead of the event proved well founded as a mix of the customer community, interested garages, […]