Marketing isn’t a dirty word

In CAT recently I listed the important elements for review in a modern garage and first on the list was volume. Volume is the key ingredient. However, as Joni Mitchell sang: “you don’t know what you’ve got ‘till it’s gone” and right now there must be several garages wishing that “a big yellow taxi” would come and take them away. Volume and marketing are synonymous yet their interests are opposed. When you have volume you don’t want the cost of marketing, yet when the volume dries up it’s too late to start marketing your business effectively.

Claim your free Automechanika ticket now

CAT still has two pairs of Automechanika tickets to give away! Get in touch by emailing darren.moss@haymarket.com now to claim your free tickets. We’ll be sending ticket vouchers out to the lucky recipients in the next few weeks. We’ll also be arranging to meet up with all of our lucky ticket holders to get their thoughts on what promises to be an incredible show.

A1 motor factors to increase trade marketing

A1 motor factors members have agreed to increase the scope of their trade marketing program. At a recent meeting of members of the group, it was agreed that independent factors need to fight harder to stay afloat in a turbulent market. As part of the new initiative, the A1 group will be providing its factor members with a range of new marketing material.

RHINO TO THE RESCUE FOR DIY SOS

Rhino Products says it is pleased to have lent a hand to BBC programme, DIY SOS. Rhino stockist VANRAX was able to help out the production crew of the hit BBC show by supplying new aluminium racks for the show’s vans. The stockist had previously already supplied one rack to the show.

A record graduation for Thatcham

A record number of accident repair technicians graduated from Thatcham’s Apprentice Academy this month. The annual graduation from Thatcham’s has become something of a calendar event in the trade, not only for the apprentice taking their first steps into the business, but also for the industry benefiting from a fresh influx of new talent.

COUNTERFEIT AUTODATA SELLER ARRESTED

A rouge trader selling counterfeit and out-of-date Autodata CDs to garages in Slough has been arrested. The arrest was the end result of an operation involving the Police, Slough Borough Council trading standards and Autodata. The rouge trader was caught in the act of selling the counterfeit CDs.

Good Garage Scheme has a new face

The Good Garage scheme is introducing its new face and mascot, Miles Better, to UK motorists thanks to a new advertising campaign. The animated character will be delivering helpful tips and advice to motorists and garages via a TV advertising spot on the Sky network, as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

Tetrosyl’s underground batcave

A rumour is a powerful tool, and rumours were already circulating that it was Tetrosyl who had stumped up for the MotorMania chain when I went to see the company last week. We now know of course that those rumours were true, and not for the first time I find myself wondering if the aftermarket grapevine – given its success and accuracy scores in recent months – shouldn’t turn its attention to predicting Euro 2012 scores as well as business moves.

TecDoc to launch iPad app at Automechanika

TecDoc will be launching its own application for the Apple iPad at Automechanika. UK visitors to the Frankfurt show will be able to see the launch of the new app, as well as sample some of TecDoc’s other mini-web applications. The company will also be showcasing its screen size optimisation software for iPhone and Android devices.