Car cleaning on the cheap

Watch out retailers: Dri-Pak, a seller of natural cleaning products, is urging car proud motorists to look no further than their pantry for upholstery and carpet cleaning products.

It is advising consumers that good old-fashioned white vinegar – on the market for around 99p – can do the job just as well as new-fangled chemical lotions and potions.

“To get your car interior sparkling again,” it says, “start by vacuuming mats, carpets and upholstery to remove any loose dirt or debris.

“In a clean trigger spray bottle, mix a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm water and shake well.

“Spray the vinegar solution onto affected areas and rub with a soft, clean cloth. Repeat the process until the stain has disappeared.”

But removing lingering odours may take a little longer than using modern products.

The company advises: “Sprinkle the affected area with Bicarbonate of Soda and leave for 4 to 6 hours before vacuuming away.”

GT’s Geoff Clarke (right) receives his award from Peter Barker, general manager, Thule UK

GT Towing has been awarded Thule UK’s 2009 Dealer of the Year award along with £1000 worth of products.

The Hertfordshire-based company impressed its supplier with its “strong in-store displays, excellent aftersales service and implementation of the monthly [Thule] electronic trade letter”.

“We are very proud to receive this award,” said Sally Smyth, GT’s director. “Thule have a large display area in our showroom and this has clearly paid dividends.

“We ensure that our staff are thoroughly knowledgeable on our full range of products and services available and also provide a complete fitting service.”

Atlas Autos in Manchester and Epic Accessories of Leicester were close contenders for the title. Epic Accessories also won Window Display of the Month in August 2009.

Meanwhile, Bob Bleazard has been named Thule’s Salesman of the Year after achieving a 40% increase in sales over the last 12 months.

He said: “All the agents found 2009 tricky for sales but the strength of the Thule brand has led us through to a stable overall outcome.

“Considering the circumstances, we have all achieved well.”

Light output difference between halogen (top) and xenon (bottom) headlights

Drivers who use xenon headlights drive up to 70 percent more safely but many are put off by the price, according to research by the German ADAC motoring association.

The study found that xenon light provides two to three times more light than halogen versions. However, it also recognised many drivers are put off by the comparatively expensive xenon versions.

“The price is not wholly to blame as the study showed 56 percent of car drivers still do not know enough about xenon,” commented Hella lighting expert Steffen Pietzonka.

“Common misconceptions about the alleged strong glare caused by xenon headlights were strong although researchers found that xenon does not generally cause more glare than other headlights.”

Revolution's new Subaru web shop

CAT Magazine’s Retailer of the Year, Revolution Performance Motorstores, has had a busy start to the new decade, not only winning the 2010 accolade but expanding its internet retailing operations.

The Gateshead-based retailer has launched a new website targeting Subaru Impreza owners. The online store deals solely with lines for the Subaru marque and has a particular emphasis on the Impreza.

The website includes fitment guides and Revolution claims the wheel section houses Europe’s largest online wheel and tyre store for the Subaru marque.

It has more than 150 styles of wheels on display and offers 33,000 fully priced wheel and tyre packages.

Tuning, styling and maintenance products are also well served with secure online payment facilities that use 3D encryption technology and password account protection.

“We are genuinely excited about this next chapter in Subaru online retailing,” said managing director Glenn Campbell.

“By grouping all these products on one dedicated site, we’ve created a convenient facility for our customers, helping them to navigate more quickly and easily.”

Chicane's Gary Barak and former launch editor John Stanton at the CAT Awards

The CAT Awards, held on January 22 at the Lensbury Hotel and Conference Centre, were not just a success for those companies and individuals lucky enough to win a prized trophy.

Industry charity BEN also benefited hugely.

In total, the 100 or so invited Awards attendees donated a very creditable £842.

CAT publisher Jim Foster commented: “We were delighted with this figure: especially seeing as we didn’t actually tell anyone in advance that they would be able to donate to BEN during the lunch!

“CAT will continue to support BEN in any way it can, including at the 2011 Awards where we will think up some kind of genius way to make more cash for them.

“I think our aim next year will be to smash the £1000 barrier.

“Maybe we could have a charity auction too, where people could bid for the services of key aftermarket individuals for a day… I wonder how much I would get for my services?!”

iPhone users can view their chosen plate "in situ" before buying

The iPhone has an app for pretty much everything you could desire and now it is attempting to corner the cherished number plates market.

www.iBuildApps.co.uk has launched a free iPhone application that allows consumers to find and buy personalised registration plates directly through their iPhone.

The developer claims it was built to keep pace with Britain’s insatiable demand for personalised licence plates.

According to the Office of National Statistics, 1 in 20 UK drivers already own a personalised number plate, spending £500 per plate on average.

Bryn Firkins, who developed the app, said: “Brits love their motors. According to Apple, 5 of the 10 most downloaded iPhone apps in the UK in 2009 were car-related.”

Since the cherished numbers scheme was launched in 1989, more than 3m plates have been sold, generating around £1.3bn in sales.

Apple claims there are now over 1.5m iPhone and iPod Touch users in the UK.

Baby on board signs have topped a poll of car accessories that define the last decade.

Some 2000 members of the public cast their votes in an online Auto Trader poll to find the most iconic motoring items of the noughties.

The 5 most popular accessories were:

1. Baby on board signs
2. Car fresheners
3. Nodding dogs
4. Football memorabilia
5. Fluffy dice

Meanwhile, sat nav was voted the most symbolic optional car extras of the decade, with alloy wheels, iPod docks, TV screens and sound systems making up the rest of the top 5.

According to GfK figures for 2007 alone, total UK sales of portable sat nav devices reached over 2.3 million, with value sales amounting to £417.9 million.

Elsewhere in the poll, the Ford Focus was voted the decade’s most iconic car, while voters said that Range Rovers have become the ultimate celebrity car, with the likes of Katie Price and Gordon Ramsay taking a shine to the 4×4 despite living in cities.

Other celebrities such as Julia Roberts, who are keen to show their ‘green’ credentials, have been seen driving the Toyota Prius, considered the most eco-friendly car of the 2000s.

The Bugatti Veyron – owned by the likes of Jenson Button and Simon Cowell – topped the list of both the “beyond your wildest dreams” and “most overpriced” car categories.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Clarkson was considered the decade’s best motoring personality, ahead of racing legends Michael Schumacher and Lewis Hamilton.

Matt Thompson, marketing director, Auto Trader, said: “From the emergence of eco-friendly cars as a viable option for consumers to the replacement of maps and asking for directions with in-car sat nav, the noughties have provided some interesting changes to the way consumers think about and drive their cars.”

Ring's new MP:120 inverter in action

Ring Automotive is now selling a new compact inverter in a bid to capitalise on the increasing number of gadgets taking over the nation’s cars.

These days, cars are more like mobile offices with blackberrys, mobile phones and PSPs all vying for their share of power.

But buying multiple special in-car adaptors for every piece of electrical equipment can be expensive so Ring has come up with the MP:120 compact inverter, which plugs into the cigarette lighter providing a 240v AC mains electricity supply.

The inverter provides a 120w power output and comes with a USB charging point to recharge mobile phones and MP3 players at the same time as using the 240v AC mains power.

Simon Harvey, Ring’s commercial manager, said: “The MP:120 takes inverter technology to another level. Combining a sleek compact design, flexibility of positioning and a powerful output, it is an ideal match for the top-range gadgets being charged.”

The product has a suggested retail price of £34.99.

Winter weather can impair visibility

Retailers interested in shifting more cleaning products and screen wash will be interested in the latest consumer advice issued by the Institute of Advanced Motorists.

The driver organisation has warned that the combination of low winter sun and dirty windscreens is putting motorists at risk of accidents.

“Dirty windscreens make it even more difficult for drivers to see in the low sun we get in the winter months,” said Peter Rodger, the IAM’s chief examiner.

“Your heater is often on demist, blowing traffic fumes, suspended oil and smoke onto the inside of the screen, which quickly builds to a film of grime which is a major cause of glare.

“The wet roads mean more dirt on the other side of the screen, too and a low sun highlights scratches and grime making it even more of a problem.

“The best solution is to clean your screen inside and out at least once a week.”

Consumers save up to £50

Retailers of Cooper tyres are hoping that the manufacturer’s latest promotion will get cash machines ringing.

Cooper Tires has launched a cashback promotion for the final two months of 2009, offering customers up to £50 when they buy two or four qualifying tyres.

The offer applies to the Cooper Zeon 2XS and Cooper Zeon CS6 performance car tyres, as well as the new Cooper Zeon 4XS, Cooper Zeon XST and Cooper Zeon XST-A range of 4×4 tyres.

Discoverer STT and Discoverer S/T 4×4 tyres are also included.

The promotion, running from November 1 to December 31, 2009, will be supported by national press advertising, point of sale materials and a special website at www.coopercashback.co.uk

The amount of cashback available per customer depends on the size and quantity of tyres purchased.

Cashback recipients will also be given a £5 voucher to pass on to friends and family towards the purchase of Cooper tyres for their vehicle.

“We’ve had really positive feedback from both our dealers and consumers on the ‘Take the Money and Drive’ programme in the US, and we’re happy to give consumers the opportunity to take advantage of savings in the UK,” said Cooper Tire Europe MD Julian Baldwin.