Will Rimell

Computer trading tools are playing a key role in building connections between suppliers and motor factors, says PACT. These interactions have been on the increase and a majority of it has been driven by multiple branch factors looking to add suppliers into their own networks

The hunt for the best young British automotive apprentice is on, as the Institute of the Motor Industry opens the doors to its 2014 SkillAuto competition. It will see young technicians battling it out to be crowned as champion in front of a live audience at the final of the Skills Show in November, which attracted more than 100,000 people last year

A ‘very broad prohibition of referral fees’ and an ‘urgent need for reform’ is needed in the insurance market according to the body which represents eight syndicates of motor underwriters. The Lloyd’s Market Association has agreed with the Competition Commission view that the insurance market currently is acting to the detriment of motorists and that intervention is necessary

Comline has just launched its thousandth part number in its newly formed steering and suspension range. The announcement comes just 12 months on from when this product category was originally launched, and has seen it quadruple its range from 250 to 1000 parts.

The National Association of Bodyshops has criticised the behaviour of insurers, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Insurance Ombudsman for their parts in the investigation into the private insurance market and failure to protect consumers from ‘unrestrained opaque relationships’

Mike Owen looks at the changing expectations of motorists and explores the importance and value to be gained from customer service training. In the 128 years since Karl Benz produced his first Motorwagen an entire industry has grown up and passed through many incarnations to arrive at where we are now. This in turn has allowed sufficient time for some deep-rooted attitudes to become entrenched into how we operate our businesses

Paul Killingsworth takes training seriously and has invested in his knowledge and technical gear to makes his workshop Rolls Royce-standard. When he first started as a 16-year-old apprentice with Toyota he was taught by an ex-Rolls Royce technician

The second annual Motor Codes report shows that independent garages are continuing to shine with the quality of its repairs and customer service. For the second year running the independent workshops continued its exceptional performance by accruing an aggregate score of 98 percent for both the work they carry out and the way they deal with customers

Corteco is launching a new campaign to help the aftermarket showcase the difference between the varieties of cabin filters. The Smell Box sales aid can be used by counter sales staff to demonstrate the advantages of fitting a carbon activated filter into a vehicle.

Automotive charity Skidz is in talks to expand its project and start up a pilot branch in Belfast. The charity, which helps disadvantaged young people into motor studies, is looking to expand its programme nationwide. The new venture will see a partnership formed with the Integrated Education Fund in Northern Ireland, which operates 60 schools with the aim of breaking down the barriers created by different religions