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🎄🚗 Merry Christmas from Garage Talk! 🎅✨ Thank you all for fuelling our passion for the automotive aftermarket world this year. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyful Christmas 🎁 #MerryChristmas #GarageTalk #AutomotiveAftermarket

A Catch-Up at the IAAF Conference 2024 Great catching up with Ben Coates of Garage Talk Online at this year’s IAAF Conference! We took a moment to reflect on the challenges and achievements of 2024 in the automotive aftermarket. From skills shortages and EV readiness to the evolving role of workshops, it's been a transformative year for the industry. Looking ahead to 2025, it’s clear that innovation, collaboration, and adaptation will continue to drive the sector forward. Ben and I discussed trends to watch out for, including sustainability initiatives, new technologies, and how businesses can stay competitive in a rapidly changing market. Here's a snippet clip - Stay tuned for more insights and full. Podcast in 2025 #IAAFConference2024 #GarageTalk #AutomotiveAftermarket #SkillsShortage #EVTrends #FutureOfWorkshops Vicky Coates GSF Car Parts Autotech Communications Garage Talk Online

Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist | Breakdown Cover & Road Safety says basic vehicle checks will help ensure you’re not left stranded at the roadside in this year’s big Christmas getaway. GEM’s list of simple tips will help ensure you won’t be needing breakdown help this winter. GEM’s 7 tips for stress-free Christmas journeys are as follows: 1. Ensure your car is serviced regularly. Our experts reckon that more than 50 per cent of breakdowns would not have occurred if the car had recently had a service. 2. Be good to your battery. Cold weather puts an additional burden on it, so get it checked. Remember that batteries last an average of five years, so be ready to replace it if necessary.... Read the full article here 👇🏼 #AutomotiveAftermarket #AftermarketNews #CarBreakdown #CarService #WinterCare

International automotive supplier FORVIA HELLA has brought an aerodynamic Rear Wing Lighting into series production. As the company’s first product of its kind, it integrates both a rear combination lamp as well as a spoiler in a holistic lighting concept. The Rear Wing Lighting is supplied for the new model 02 from Lynk & Co (in China: Z20), a brand of the car manufacturer GEELY Auto Group. In Europe, the electric SUV has been available on the market since October of this year. The rear combination lamp is developed and produced locally in China. "With our innovative Rear Wing Lighting concept, we are setting a new exclamation mark, not only in terms of technological performance, but above all in terms of light signature and design language," says Yves Andres, who, as a member of the Management Board, is responsible for the global lighting business of FORVIA HELLA. #AutomotiveAftermarket #AftermarketNews #VehicleLighting #AftermarketParts

The closing date for DENSO Aftermarket Europe’s League of True Mechanics, a combination of technical training and head to head competition, has been extended to give more aftermarket professionals the opportunity to increase their knowledge, collect more points, and potentially, take the 2024 title. The DENSO League of True Mechanics (LOTM) competition continues to attract technicians and car enthusiasts from across the company’s trading regions and its ongoing popularity has led the team to extend the closing date to the end of February 2025. “The combination of greater work relevant knowledge and broader technical skill and friendly regional competition has made LOTM a massive hit,” explains DENSO Aftermarket, Pan European Strategic Marketing Manager, Fatiha Laauich, “so we’ve decided to extend the deadline for users to register for the current 2024 competition." Read the full article here 👇🏼 #AutomotiveAftermarket #AftermarketNews #TechnicalTraining #AftermarketCompetition

The Lincoln branch of national garage chain IN'n'OUT Autocentres has become the latest workshop to tackle its own staff shortage by taking on a technician from India through Easy2Recruit, the agency helping garages hire overseas talent. KK Mydeen became part of Lincoln’s IN‘n’OUT team in November and is the first overseas technician to be employed within the group. He brings with him many years of franchised dealer outlet experience built up working in Qatar. “KK is a great addition to the team here at IN‘n’OUT Lincoln,” said Centre Principal Ben Schofield. “Easy2Recruit made the whole process really simple. Since he has joined us, we have built a training programme for him, and he is now busy on servicing, brakes and steering and suspension work. He is fitting in well.” #AutomotiveAftermarket #AftermarketRecruitment #StaffShortages #AftermarketCareer

🎉 The milestones keep on coming! 🎉 Thanks to you, Garage Talk Online has reached 10,000 unique monthly website visitors! 🙌 Whether you're here for the latest aftermarket news, reviews, or interviews, we're grateful for your support. We’re just getting started – stay tuned for more exciting content ahead! #GarageTalk #AutomotiveNews #10KStrong #ThankYou

Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions is celebrating a year of significant achievements, marked by the success of its first-ever REPXPERT Conference and recent rebranding. By the end of 2024, the Schaeffler REPXPERT team will have answered over 20,000 technical calls (not counting 40,000+ application and part number enquiries), visited more than 900 workshops across the UK, and attended 15 trade shows. The company trained over 5,000 technicians and supported the development of over 80 Level two and three apprentices through its Wrenches and Wisdom events. Meanwhile, REPXPERT members earned 38 million bonus points, with three becoming REPXPERT Millionaires. "As we reflect on 2024, the UK automotive aftermarket has undergone another year of transformation," said Matthew Selby, Sales and Marketing Director at Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions. "With challenges continuing to arise in the industry, Schaeffler remains committed to supporting garages, suppliers, and distributors as they need to adapt and innovate in this ever-evolving landscape." Read the full article here 👇🏼 #AutomotiveAftermarket #AftermarketNews #Technicians #VehicleRepair

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) hosted its 2024 Pride of the Aftermarket Awards on December 5th, celebrating achievements of outstanding individuals and businesses within the automotive aftermarket sector, with a blend of prestigious awards, valuable networking opportunities and an array of entertainment. The event kicked off in grand style, with outgoing IAAF President Craig McCracken and Chief Executive Mark Field leading a lively and entertaining entrance that set the tone for an unforgettable evening. As the excitement built, attendees were treated to a surprise performance by a Freddy Mercury tribute act, followed by an energetic set from a group of singing policemen, who had the crowd on their feet dancing and celebrating the spirit of the aftermarket. Take a look the Award winners' instant reactions in episode 12 of Garage Talk Unwrapped! 👀 #AutomotiveAftermarket #AftermarketNews #AwardWinners #AftermarketEvent

🎉 We recently hit 1000 subscribers on YouTube! 🎉 A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has subscribed and watched Garage Talk Unwrapped. Your support means the world to us! 🚗✨ We’re just getting started – more aftermarket news, views, and other exciting content is on the way. If you haven’t yet, join the ride by subscribing today! #GarageTalk #1000Subscribers #ThankYou #YouTubeMilestone #AutomotiveNews