FRANCHISES TO LOOSE £85 MILLION IN BUSINESS

Franchised dealers look set to loose business worth over £85 million. The latest report from Castrol Professional suggests that over the next two years franchised dealers will loose almost four percent of their current business. That lost business equates to £85.6 million.

BOSCH BUYS SPX SERVICE SOLUTIONS

Bosch Automotive Aftermarket is in the final stages of buying a specialist tools developer in the US for $1.15 billion. SPX Corporation, based in Michigan manufactures and sells diagnostic and service tools, workshop equipment and software for the automotive aftermarket.

BEN LAUNCHES AUTOJOBS FINDER

The automotive industry charity BEN has launched an online job finder for the motor trade. Embedded into the existing BEN website, the Autojobs section helps employers and jobseekers fill their employment needs. Employers and jobseekers can use the Autojobs service free of charge.

SKILLAUTO 2012 NOW OPEN

The search is on to find the best automotive technicians in the UK. The SkillAuto competition has opened its doors to entries for 2012. Entrants must have had no more than three years experience in the automotive sector, and must have a passion to be the best in the business.

GOVERNMENT APPOINTS IMI AS SERVICES PROVIDER

The IMI is celebrating its appointment as the official provide of Universal Services to the automotive retail sector. Universal Services covers a number of areas, including apprenticeship schemes and occupational standards. The appointment was confirmed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

IGA CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST MOT CHANGES

The Independent Garage Association is continuing its fight to protect the current MOT testing regime. The IGA is staunchly against any change from the existing system of testing. It believes extending the time to first test, and the interevals between, would pose a grave risk to road safety.

NGK PUTS A SPARK IN TOP FUEL DRAG RACING

NGK Spark Plugs is celebrating after its sponsored drag-racing team won the last event of the 2011 season in record time. The team – sponsored by NGK – notched up five personal best times at the last meeting and in doing so became the first British Top Methanol funny Car to run in under six seconds.