Garage news

Unipart Automotive’s brake comparison tests have kicked a hornet’s nest of feeling in the aftermarket and prompted a stern response from TMD. A point-by-point reply to TMD’s actions is forthcoming, says Unipart Marketing Director Andrew Jeffrey, but here he makes an initial statement on the reaction to the tests.

TMD Friction has issued a statement regarding the inclusion of its Pagid brake product in Unipart’s comparative test: Braking materials specialist TMD Friction the World’s leading brake products manufacturer, today responded to recent advertising material issued by Unipart Automotive, purporting to set out the results of comparative tests between Unipart’s own brand brake products, TMD’s Pagid products and several other brands

Unipart Automotive (UA) has kicked a hornets’ nest following comparative tests it conducted alongside brake pads from five rival suppliers. The tests were conducted by Quay Brake Testing at the MIRA research facility in Hinckley to demonstrate the quality of UA’s own line of braking products

New servicing propositions from Halfords and Ford are hoping to secure them each a bigger take of the service, maintenance and repair market. Ford has also launched new fixed-price Motorcraft servicing plans for vehicles more than three years old at its 575 locations

LKQ Coatings is the new name for Iris and five distributors of automotive paint and body supplies purchased by Euro Car Parts’ parent company. It has announced that the new name will come into effect by the end of the year. JCA Coatings, MKPE, Sinemaster, BeeBee and Premier will continue trading under their existing names during the transition

NGK has re-launched its garage loyalty scheme at Equip Auto and confirmed new partners Mann and Hummel Filters and Philips will be part of the programme in France. An evolution of the original UK campaign, workshops can now return packaging from the three brands in exchange for better rewards

BM Catalysts stole a march on the competition at Equip Auto with the launch of a new range of selective catalytic reduction exhaust components. There are just 14 part numbers in the range to start with, as SCR technology on cars is still in the very early stages of deployment, but it will become more common as Euro 6 emissions standards for cars are introduced in 2014.

Sogefi has introduced an innovative new packaging approach for its cabin filters and is working on other new solutions for its other lines. The filter manufacturer says the transparent polypropylene packages reduces waste, saves on space and keeps the product sealed and free from dust and humidity in transit.

CAT Editor Peter Lawton joined an international panel of judges at a trade show this week to help identify and reward cutting edge developments in automotive technology and equipment. The International Grand Prix for Automotive Innovation is part of the French Equip Auto exhibition and is in its 15th year.

The first trainers to be recognised for their role in passing on skills in the automotive industry have been named by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Allianz Global Assist Technical Training Manager Mike Donley and David Wray, Work Base and ATA Assessor Verifier at Motherwell College, have become the first IMI members to make their mark in the Institute’s new Automotive Trainer and Assessor Professional Recognition Standards.