The independent aftermarket has won its battle to secure a special Block Exemption Regulation for the sector.

With just days to go before the current regulation expires, the European Commission announced this morning that it has formally adopted the new legislation.

The new rules will apply from June 1, 2010 and comprise a Block Exemption Regulation focused specifically on the aftermarket. This is accompanied by sector-specific guidelines.

The new rules will increase competition in the market for repair and maintenance by improving access to technical information and by making it easier to use alternative spare parts.

They will also allow the Commission to tackle manufacturers’ abuse of warranties when they request that cars are serviced only in authorised garages.

Under the rules, vehicle manufacturers will no longer be able to make the warranty conditional on having the oil changed or other car services only in authorised garages.

Michel Vilatte, president of FIGIEFA, the organisation which led the European Right to Repair Campaign, said: “The new set of rules is a good step in the right direction in the form of a clear message addressed towards the vehicle manufacturers.”

That message, he said is: “Independent operators must have access to repair and maintenance information, the free flow of original spare parts supplied by parts manufacturers and of spare parts of matching quality should not be impeded and the vehicle manufacturers’ warranties, whether contractual or extended, should not be made conditional upon the exclusive servicing in the authorised repair network.”

Dunkley's has been in business for 25 years

Dunkley’s of Deal is celebrating being awarded the Kitemark certification for garages.

The garage, which was founded 25 years ago, is hoping the accolade will help it beat the recession and grow business by 15-20% per year.

Paul Bone, office manager, said: “We felt it would be a powerful advertising tool as the Kitemark logo is nationally known and would give customers confidence to bring their vehicle into our garage.

“It has improved us into a better working business and it will also play an important role in generating more customers and revenue.

“We wanted to show our customers that we take quality seriously and to hopefully set ourselves apart from other garages in the area.”

Unichip says its device can boost power by 20 bhp

Unichip Europe has unveiled a new plug and play ‘U-connect’ Unichip piggy back ECU for the Nissan 350Z.

The Nissan coupe is a popular choice for tuning enthusiasts but cannot be remapped using OBD flash programming.

Supplied for installation by a Unichip dealer, the device, called Uni-Q, works by intercepting the signals from the Nissan 350Z’s factory sensors.

The company said that rolling road testing has proven that it can increase power on a standard Nissan 350Z by 20 bhp, raising peak output from a measured 264 to a mighty 284 bhp.

Similarly, torque increases by an impressive 26 lb.ft, bringing the total from 236 lb.ft to 262 lb.ft.

A High Court judge today dismissed “key parts” of a claim made against The British Standards Institution by SEL-Imperial Ltd, according to a statement released by BSI.

SEL is claiming that BSI has acted anti-competitively against SEL in respect of BSI’s Kitemark scheme based on the car body repair standard, PAS 125.

This was an interim application to decide whether or not the allegations should be allowed to go to a full trial.

Describing a number of allegations made in SEL’s legal pleadings variously as “opaque” and “wholly unsustainable as a matter of law”, Mr Justice Roth ruled to strike them out of the pleadings.

SEL must now back its remaining claims with clear and accurate evidence. BSI said it will continue to defend them vigorously.

BSI said it believes the remaining claims are without merit and will ultimately fail once the facts are tested and the law is applied at a full trial.

David Ford, executive director of BSI, said: “SEL has been trying a scatter-gun approach to this litigation in the hope of making something stick.

“With this judgement, we have succeeded in narrowing the issues, and BSI is confident that, when the evidence is examined at a full trial, the court will dismiss the remaining claims.”

In an attempt to revolutionise the way it delivers its fast fit service, HiQ has secured two business partnerships with main car dealerships.

David Harrison Ltd of Peebles, Scotland and Allams of Dorking have both become HiQ franchises.

HiQ’s franchise development manager, Peter Tye, said: “These are important partnerships for HiQ and ones that we are delighted with.

“They could set the precedent for the way that our fast fit network operates and a great deal of time and effort has gone into securing both agreements.”

The agreement means the dealerships can open themselves up to a multitude of car brands, which allows them to expand customer base and turnover.

David Harrison operations manager Martin Cutbush said: “We wanted to look at a brand that could offer outstanding marketing and internet provisions and HiQ was ideal.”

Jeff Allam, former BTCC star and owner of Allams of Dorking, said: “We are absolutely delighted to be associated with HiQ. Our partnership will allow us to create additional work and increase turnover.”

Steve Coles

The Retail Motor Industry Federation has joined CITA, the European body for vehicle inspection, in what RMI head of MOT Technical Operations Steve Coles has called: “a full and active role”.

The Federation has been asked to nominate technical experts to join this year’s working groups, which will examine various vehicle inspection topics.

“It is vital that MOT test stations across Britain recognise the importance of these working groups and the effect it could have on vehicle inspection in the future,” Coles said.

Steve Coles and John Ball, The Federation’s MOT chairman will both sit on the CITA working groups to ensure that the interests of their members are taken into account.

The groups will look at safety systems, electronically controlled systems, training, quality and potential harmonisation of standards.

The Retail Motor Industry Federation has appointed David Moran as head of its independent garages division.

He replaces Mike Owen, who left the Federation earlier this year to join the new Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation.

Moran has worked in the automotive industry for more than 25 years, working in aftersales, sales and finance at Volvo UK and Europe, Nissan, GM Europe and Piaggio.

“I am keen to [give independents] a major voice in the industry,” he said, “and [provide] them with access to information, training and services to help develop their businesses and profitability, as well as raising consumer awareness of their membership and services.”

Engine re-mapping could improve fuel efficiency by up to 15%

Soaring petrol prices are forcing more motorists to have their engines upgraded for improved fuel economy, says Viezu Technologies.

Paul Busby, the company’s chief executive, said: “Motorists are simply being squeezed and squeezed.

“Private vehicle owners and corporations alike are looking to do anything they can to reduce their vehicle running costs.”

Viezu has seen a 40% increase in demand for engine upgrades since October last year and claims that engine re-mapping can achieve an average 10-15% fuel efficiency improvement.

“Our results speak for themselves in terms of engine, fuel efficiency and CO2 reduction”, said Busby. “Over a vehicle’s whole life there are very considerable savings to be made.”

Vicki Butler-Henderson presents the award to Kinghams of Croydon

The overall winner of the UK’s Golden Garage award has been revealed by Motor Codes as Kinghams of Croydon.

The independent family-run garage, which currently employs father, son and daughter among its staff, scooped a prize fund worth over £6000.

Owner Keith Kingham said: “We work hard to provide our customers with excellent service and value for money.

“We came up against a lot of strong competition and the Golden Garages campaign goes to show that our industry is full of high-quality, trustworthy garages.”

Vicki Butler-Henderson presented the top prize after 54 days of nominations, 9000 public votes and the opinions of a judging panel.

“We would like every motorist to receive service from a garage like Kinghams,” said Chris Mason, Motor Codes director.

New air filters and low rolling resistant tyres will save money, says HiQ

HiQ continues to generate publicity, this time using the imminent petrol price hikes as its angle.

Average petrol prices are set to rise to £1.20 over the Easter period so the fast-fit network is offering free tyre checks to motorists to combat escalating costs.

In a recent poll, HiQ found that 18% of motorists never check their tyres and 27% only check them once every 6 months.

Geraldine McGovern, marketing manager for the network,  said: “According to Tyresafe, of which HiQ are members, under-inflated tyres are costing motorists over £2bn in fuel worldwide.

“We would urge motorists to check their tyres fortnightly as a minimum. Look out for obvious damage such as splits or cracks.”