Workshop Magazine: Issue 35

OUR KEV: ELECTRIC VEHICLES? I HAVEN’T GOT A CLUE (AND I’M NOT THAT INTERESTED!)

ISSUE 35 | AUGUST 2018

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MUSTANG MISSION

Classic Ford gets self-driving tech to tackle famous hillclimb course

£2.50 | WORKSHOPMAGAZINE.CO.UK

Survey that paints a positive picture of our industry

PLUS: The well-equipped garage with a talented team that’s looking forward with confidence AS GOOD AS NEW

Cheaper and greener... the benefits of selecting remanufactured engines

CAMERA NEVER LIES

. . . and that’s why video’s such a great way to build trust!

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DIAGNOSTICS WITH THE EXPERTS

BLACKBALL MEDIA HASLAR MARINE TECHNOLOGY PARK HASLAR ROAD, GOSPORT, PO12 2AG T: (023) 9252 2434

CONTENTS.

EDITORIAL HEAD OF EDITORIAL REBECCA CHAPLIN

rebecca@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @believebecca

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PRODUCTION EDITOR DAVE BROWN

dave@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @CarDealerDave

FEATURES EDITOR JACK EVANS

jack@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @jackrober

STAFF WRITER RYAN HIRONS

ryan@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @RyHirons

JUNIOR EDITORIAL ASSISTANT TRISTAN SHALE-HESTER tristan@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @tristan_shale

HEAD OF DESIGN GRAEME WINDELL

graeme@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @graemewindell

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Get in the picture: How Viewmech from Euro Car Parts can help you build trust with customers

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Suppliers Guide: Selected companies can help you

Our Kev: I know many people love electric cars, but I’m not a fan – and here’s why

ADVERTISING

As good as new: The benefits of remanufactured engines

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Innovation: New service plan platform

SALES MANAGER JON HICKEY

j.hickey@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @cardealerjon

ACCOUNT MANAGER MICHELLE SEARLE

michelle@blackballmedia.co.uk

FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION finance@blackballmedia.co.uk

SUITS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER JAMES BAGGOTT james@thebaize.com Twitter: @CarDealerEd

MANAGING DIRECTOR ANDY ENTWISTLE andy@blackballmedia.co.uk Twitter: @CarDealerAndy

CONTRIBUTORS Felicity Bestwick, John Bowman, Jess Ernerth DISTRIBUTION Workshop Magazine is distributed to a database of up to 10,000 service and repair sites, franchised car dealers, independents, car manufacturers and suppliers.

Company No. 6473855 VAT No. 933 8428 05 ISSN No. 1759-5444 Workshop Magazine is published by Blackball Media Ltd (Company No 6473855) and printed by Warners. All rights reserved. Conditions of sale and supply include the fact that Workshop shall not, without our consent, be lent, resold, hired out or otherwise disposed of in a mutilated way or in any unauthorised cover by way of trade or affixed to or as any part of a publication or advertising, literary or pictorial matter whatsoever.

Workshop Magazine is fully protected by copyright.

Nothing may be reproduced wholly or in part without permission.

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Aiming high: Georgia’s through to contest final

Welcome

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IF YOU know me well, you’ll realise that our cover star for this issue is one I find particularly exciting. A 60s Ford Mustang that can drive itself? It’s a techie classic car lover’s dream! If only it was electric too, I really would be on Cloud 9!

However, its first public display didn’t exactly go to plan. Its two attempts to travel up the Duke of Richmond’s driveway at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed both resulted in lively displays – but journeys that surely made its passengers feel a little bit queasy.

Fortunately for its creators, the car wasn’t designed to actually show off its autonomous capabilities, just prove what can be done. Unfortunately for everyone else currently working on autonomous technology, we get the feeling those people who were watching from the sidelines or on TV might think twice about using this form of travel in the future…

While fully autonomous cars are years from being ready anyway, and it’ll be even longer before we see them on our roads, I’m sure there will be a sigh of relief

Fastest ever: Porsche breaks Nurburgring lap time record with help from Schaeffler from garages that such complicated and expensive tech still seems to be some way off.

If you want to find out more about the Goodwood endeavour, we’ve got the full story explaining exactly what did happen on pages 10 and 11.

Also in this month’s magazine, we’ve got a fantastic array of news, features, and insights into the worlds of remanufactured engines and workshop video.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Workshop Magazine without a look behind the doors of another service and repair business in Garage Focus, and the final word, as ever, comes from Our Kev, who certainly doesn’t sit on the fence when giving his thoughts about EVs. As always, do get in touch and share your thoughts on the industry. Enjoy the issue.

Rebecca Chaplin, Head of Editorial WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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NEWS. | PATFLUID |

A cost-effective and reliable product to replace OE additives

Nurburgring record broken To beat the previous time by almost one minute is incredible, says Schaeffler tech boss

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orsche, with help

from automotive and PATFLUID is a universal aftermarket industrial supplier replacement for Diesel Particulate Filter Schaeffler, has broken (DPF) additives, also known as Fuel Borne its 35-year lap record at the Catalysts (FBC). These additives are used Nurburgring circuit in Germany. on some diesel passenger cars by various Driven by Timo Bernhard, manufacturers (mainly Peugeot and Citroen) pictured right celebrating with the fitted with Diesel Particulate Filters and are team behind the achievement, a stored in a tank that doses the additive into Porsche 919 Hybrid recorded a lap the main fuel tank. Fuel Borne Catalysts aid time of five minutes and 19.55 the regeneration of the Diesel Particulate seconds, beating the previous Filter by lowering the combustion record by almost a minute. temperature of soot trapped in the filter so Porsche and Schaeffler have that it can be burnt off at temperatures seen enjoyed a rich motorsport history during normal driving conditions. together. The partnership has PatFluid is a cost-effective and reliable brought great success, winning product to replace Original Equipment the FIA World Endurance additives. It has been tested against all OEM Championship three years in a row. additives for compatibility and has been This includes victories in the sold to the UK aftermarket for the past nine iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans years. PatFluid is a product of CDTi – an during those years as well. advanced catalyst technology company The new lap record around with a focus on catalyst materials for the the Nurburgring, therefore, just automotivead market.

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2017 Belgian Grand Prix at the SpaFrancorchamps circuit.

Chief technology officer at Schaeffler, Professor Peter Gutzmer, said: ‘To beat the previous time by almost one minute is incredible – we are proud to be one of Porsche’s partners. The record illustrates how powerful and efficient race cars with hybrid powertrains can be.’

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t

Dave Green has had a smile on his face through all the changes he has seen over the years

Thanks for everything, Dave!

A LOYAL worker who rose through the ranks in the servicing department of a Sunderland Volkswagen dealer has retired after 53 years.

Service advisor Dave Green, 68, has decided to leave Pulman Volkswagen as he has a fourth grandchild on the way. Green was just 15 years old when he joined the company – then known as Mill Garages – as a workshop apprentice.

Aside from a brief spell at Wearside Audi when the fourringed marque was moved to a separate site, he has spent his entire adult life working for the dealership.

During his time at the business,

he has also worked as a mechanic before moving to his current role.

Green told the Sunderland Echo: ‘It’s the people I’ll miss most.

‘Some of the salesmen I worked with have gone on to run their own dealerships and I’ve had a great time working with them.’

Commenting on the generosity of his co-workers, he said: ‘I’ve been given bottles of wine and one of the heads of Volkswagen has even sent me a bottle of champagne. I’ve got enough drink to last a lifetime.’

Chris Slater, head of communications at Pulman, added: Dave has seen a lot of changes during his time here but has always had a smile on his face.’

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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NEWS.

Hyundai launches pioneering tailored service plan scheme Unique system built in partnership with eDynamix

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H

yundai Motor UK has launched an industry-first online service and repair plan platform which allows customers and dealers to build tailored packages based on driving habits, vehicle age, mileage and usage.

Moving away from traditional ‘fixed-price’ service plan options, Hyundai’s innovative new offering will allow customers to access a plan that is priced based on their individual requirements.

A flexible approach to payment has also been integrated into the website which allows people either to pay for their chosen plan upfront or spread the cost over the year in monthly payments.

The unique system, built in partnership with eDynamix, incorporates discounted MOT and service campaigns.

It also offers the functionality to include maintenance items such as tyre replacements, coming in October.

If customers want to create their own bespoke plan online, instead of their dealer arranging it for them, they can do so from the comfort of their own home using the online service plan quoting tool integrated into the Hyundai website.

Nick Tunnell, Hyundai Motor UK aftersales director, said: ‘We are delighted to launch this unique offering.

‘We believe that the new platform will give drivers the opportunity to create bespoke service plans based on their individual vehicles and lifestyles.

‘Whatever the age of their car, or the mileage, customers will be able to access a suitable service and repair plan at a tailored and competitive price – offering peace of mind and an alternative to the ‘‘one-size-fits-all’’ fixed-priced option that tends to be the norm across the industry.’

Iain Nickalls, eDynamix director, said: ‘OEM service plans have, in the past, been sold as a capital cost purchase, mainly on new vehicles and often tied into the purchase finance agreement.

‘Customers were typically buying a number of services, not a service plan tailored to their own driving style and ownership requirements.

Through the new platform, Hyundai are not only allowing their customers to self-serve through the online portal, but they are also adopting a more customer-centric model, providing plans that are bespoke to each individual Hyundai customer.’

NEWS ROUND-UP. What’s been making the headlines at workshops around the United Kingdom?

BLACKPOOL:

AutoRaise is moving into North West England to continue its quest to help the vehicle repair industry in its skills crisis. The charity is linking up with Blackpool and The Fylde College to deliver training for apprentices in partnership with The Vella Group repair firm, which is taking on 10 new trainees across its five sites. The Vella Group recently announced a rebrand and commitment to invest in the growth of the business. This apprenticeship programme is a key part of their plans. Bob Linwood, CEO of AutoRaise, said: ‘We are delighted to get involved with this partnership.’

| THE MOTOR OMBUDSMAN |

SUNDERLAND:

The one millionth Nissan Juke has been produced at the company’s manufacturing site in Sunderland. Hailing the compact crossover’s achievement, reached eight years after the vehicle was launched, Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan Europe’s senior vice-president of manufacturing, supply chain management and purchasing, said: ‘Reaching the one-million milestone is a fantastic achievement for any model. Eight years ago, we had never seen anything like the Juke before. Fast-forward to today and we have one million customers and Juke remains the segment leader.’

NOTTS:

Standard Motor Products Europe (SMPE), one of the UK’s largest independent automotive parts manufacturers and suppliers, has honoured four of its longestserving employees. Art Wieckowski, Steve Capewell, Jackie Foster and Maggie Syme were each presented with an award by managing director Ross Toomey, as their longstanding commitment and service to the supplier was acknowledged in front of SMPE’s Nottingham-based workforce. Toomey said: ‘We’re incredibly proud of our long-standing members of the team and can’t thank them enough for their contribution.’

BEDS:

One of the UK’s largest car supermarkets, CarShop, has opened a technical training facility at its preparation centre in Leighton Buzzard. The centre gives CarShop the opportunity to train staff who will prepare its cars for sale to a high standard. In the first week, CarShop’s technical training manager, Matt Phillips, ran courses that covered panel repair and prime, preparation and masking, preparation process training, and colour identification and application.

Talent development manager Rob Pardon said: ‘The facility is a great asset for the business.’

Survey paints an ‘encouraging picture’ of service and repair arena AN annual survey of 1,000 car owners conducted by The Motor Ombudsman, the automotive dispute resolution provider, has revealed that consumers have an increasingly favourable perception of the vehicle service and repair sector when compared to last year.

The study showed that 51 per cent of respondents enjoyed a positive experience, versus 44 per cent in 2017, whilst 39 per cent of individuals expressed a neutral view in 2018 compared to 45 per cent 12 months earlier.

The results of the yearly research, which is carried out by the body to gauge the opinion of motorists on different aspects of the automotive industry, and their awareness of The Motor Ombudsman and its role, saw 57 per cent of male drivers being complimentary about the sector, in contrast to 46 per cent of women.

In addition, those aged between 18 to 35, and individuals living in the south, hold this area of the motor industry in the highest regard (65 per cent and 51 per cent of participants respectively).

Bill Fennell, chief ombudsman and managing director of The Motor Ombudsman, said: ‘The results of our latest study paint an encouraging picture of the service and repair arena.

There is of course still work to be done to improve the perception even further.’

| MTS |

New Merc exhaust DEVON:

Fourteen fire crews were involved in tackling a blaze in a garage and workshop in Torquay during the night of June 25-26, reported the website Devon Live.

The first firefighters to arrive found the single-storey building alight and got to work tackling the fire using breaking-in equipment, four sets of breathing apparatus and other specialised gear. Further resources were called in from other parts of Devon as the blaze spread through the roof before being brought under control. Residents living near the premises, in Higher Union Lane, had to be evacuated.

MTS has become one of the first companies in the independent automotive aftermarket to launch a new exhaust for the Mercedes A-Class. The new, fully-aluminised, rear exhaust back box is for the Mercedes A 180 CDI (12-14) and reflects MTS’ ongoing commitment to bring to the UK aftermarket products that are sought after and in demand.

The part, available on a next-day delivery service from the company’s warehouse in Doncaster, further boosts vehicle parc coverage which is now 95 per cent and comprises more than 3,000 part numbers.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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NEWS.

Baldwins Repair Group’s owner sells company to a single investor During change of ownership, it’s business as usual at all sites

B

Good luck in the final, Georgia!

A MEMBER of the aftersales team at Jennings Motor Group is through to the Supermodel England national final after being crowned Top Model of Sunderland.

Georgia Mordey, 19, from Washington, works as a service adviser at the contact centre, where she is responsible for booking customers’ cars in for services and MOTs, in addition to advising customers and setting up service plans, as well as the company’s Jencare warranty package. She started her career with Jennings as an apprentice service adviser, and after 12 months of training and assessments became a fully fledged service

08 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

adviser and was taken on full-time.

The Supermodel England final is scheduled to take place in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, where Georgia is in with a chance of being crowned World Supermodel England, or Top Model of England.

She said: ‘I’m really looking forward to the final in November, but at the same time I’m a little bit nervous.’

Mandy Hoyle, Georgia’s manager at the Washington centre, said: ‘We’re all absolutely delighted for her. She is a very ambitious, dedicated and committed member of the team, and we’re all thrilled.’

aldwins Repair Group has been sold by owner Steve Warner to single investor Richard Steer.

It was sold for an undisclosed sum, with Steer joining the awardwinning accident repairer as owner and managing director on August 1.

Peter Randhawa will continue his role of group general manager at Baldwins Repair Group and oversee operations at all repair centres in Aylesbury, Corby, Leicester and Stratford-upon-Avon, as well as the building of the new London site.

During his ownership, Warner developed the business alongside Randhawa. The sites have grown in number, while manufacturer, insurer and network approvals have also increased, plus the business has become more involved in key initiatives high on the industry’s agenda, such as apprenticeships and electric vehicles.

Warner said: ‘Following 15 very positive years at Baldwins, I have decided that it is time for me to take a step back and focus on other projects and new challenges. I can see the company’s future going from strength to strength with Richard – he has a great deal of experience

by TRISTAN SHALE-HESTER @tristan_shale and I believe he is the right man for the job. I want to thank the team for all their hard work over the years and I wish them every success.’

Steer, who brings a wealth of experience, industry knowledge and expertise, having developed successful businesses, said: ‘I am extremely excited about this opportunity. I come in with no preconceived ideas, as I have worked with Baldwins for many years and I know it is a well-organised and successful business.

‘My initial job is to visit the sites, meet the team and see how we, as a group, can develop the business over time. I look forward to working with the already established team and building on the success of Baldwins Repair Group.’

Randhawa said: ‘I am very proud of what has been achieved for Baldwins so far under Steve’s ownership, but there is much more to come. The future is very exciting and we can only see positives in having Richard on board. During this change of ownership, it is business as usual at all of our sites.’

InAutomotive joins IAAF’s professional network THE Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed the automotive-specific job board InAutomotive.com as the latest addition to its burgeoning network of industry professionals.

The Preston-based specialist recruitment website that employs more than 50 people has joined as a service member, and in an effort

to further support the industry’s employment needs is offering fellow IAAF members 10 per cent off all job advertising.

Supporting the motor trade for more than 15 years, InAutomotive. com is the UK’s leading job website for automotive professionals who are looking for work opportunities in the industry.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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FEATURES.

| 1965 FORD MUSTANG |

An uphill struggle!

Siemens ran a fully autonomous 1965 Ford Mustang up the Goodwood hillclimb at this year’s Festival of Speed – but things didn’t quite go according to plan. Rebecca Chaplin reports.

CARS from just about every era, class, market sector and price bracket have tackled the famous hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed – but one firm was hoping to make history during the event’s 25th anniversary this year with the first fully autonomous ascent.

The company behind the attempt was tech giant Siemens – and it decided to take a rather different approach to autonomous motoring than that adopted by vehicle manufacturers.

Instead of building a fully robotised vehicle from the ground up, it chose to retrofit autonomous technology to a motoring icon – a 1965 Ford Mustang. Siemens said using the classic car was a calculated move aimed at connecting the past glories of the motoring world with its autonomous future.

Juergen Maier, chief executive of Siemens UK & Ireland, said before the event: ‘To help celebrate Goodwood’s 25th anniversary, we partnered with Cranfield University to bridge the gap between the legacy of the automotive industry while pointing to the future in terms of both motoring and wider industrial applications.

10 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

‘Customising a 1965 Ford Mustang with autonomous technologies, we’re going to attempt the famous hillclimb autonomously for the first time in Goodwood’s history.’

Painted in a special livery to honour the special anniversary, the Mustang was developed jointly by researchers from Siemens and Cranfield University, as Mr Maier said. The team used advanced scanning technology to gain a detailed 3D model of the track, allowing the car to ‘know’ exactly where it is.

The complex course can be a challenge for a human driver to complete – let alone an autonomous car. The Mustang was equipped with a full suite of sensors and control algorithms designed to allow it to navigate the road and adjust to differences in the surface of the track.

However, things didn’t quite go according to plan. To be fair, the autonomous Mustang did make it from the start to the finish without stopping or breaking down, but it didn’t really seem to know what it was supposed to be doing. The car lurched forwards and backwards at times and veered from side-to-side.

Let’s take a closer look at the endeavour...

1) It was using GPS – not radar While other autonomous cars use radar or lidar – working out where they are on the road by reading the bumps, kerbs and lines – the Mustang’s creators had plotted the route carefully on GPS. Maybe it was the crowds of people, or perhaps it just failed on the day, but it didn’t quite seem to know where it was...

2) It could have been the TV signal

To show off their masterpiece, the car was fitted with a live feed camera that needed a powerful signal to be transmitted.

Could this have interfered with the car’s GPS too?

3) It wasn’t designed to be a car for the road

‘This car is for demonstration purposes only’ is what should have been on the side of the car and blaring from speakers on top. Siemens undertook this project to get people into engineering and programming, not to show the future of autonomous technology. In six weeks, to make a ’65 Mustang drive almost two kilometres on its own is pretty clever in our view.

4) It’s a 43-year-old car

It might have been kitted out with some very advanced technology, but underneath, it’s still a Mustang from the 1960s. The day before the run, the power steering – which was an optional extra for this model – sprang a leak. This meant that there was a change in pressure and the software had to recalculate its inputs, seemingly with limited success.

5) It was programmed in six weeks 6) It was designed to look exciting

A Mustang without personality might as well not be a Mustang, right? That’s what the TV production people thought, at least according to Sunday Times Driving. Therefore the car was designed to be a bit rebellious and exciting on track.

Six weeks! Six weeks isn’t a very long time to build a car, let alone programme one that’s designed to drive itself. However, that’s exactly what the clever people at Siemens and Cranfield University did.

WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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12 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

PRODUCTS. ON TEST

Tool will make light work of many tasks Craig Cheetham checks out a powered ratchet that’s ideal for many bolt-on, bolt-off automotive tasks. It’s comfortable to grip, easy to use and will save you plenty of time...

W

hile hand-operated ratchets are and always have been a mechanic’s best friend, there are times when a powered tool is a welcome companion, not least when it comes to getting leverage on over-tight or difficult-to-access bolts.

The Milwaukee M12 Fuel sub compact 3/8 -inch ratchet is, therefore, a highly appreciated addition to the toolbox – perfect for straightforward jobs that are made difficult by rusted-on components such as exhaust brackets, body panels and subframe mounts.

With 75Nm of torque and up to 200rpm, the hand-held ratchet is ideal for tackling tough jobs, while power is easily applied and simple to regulate with the trigger-action button.

It’s an expensive tool but it feels it, with a reinforced ratchet mechanism and cast steel yoke ensuring there are no weak points that will give up before the stubborn exhaust clamp or rusted-in bolt.

Jobs that would often take hours owing to the need to free off components can be reduced to minutes, thanks to the extra grunt this handy toolbox companion provides.

The head of the tool deliberately has a narrow profile, making it possible to access tight spaces, but the chunky handle makes it hard to get deep into crevices or up into cramped wheelarch areas, for example.

On the flipside, the thick handle does allow for the ratchet to use Milwaukee’s excellent M12 rechargeable batteries, seen in many of its Fuel tools. These take less than an hour to charge up but are capable of delivering up to a week’s worth of service in a workshop environment, so providing you have two of them (it’s supplied with one, but you can order M12 batteries separately) you can rely on it for a seamless operation.

It’s comfortable to grip, too, with a moulded rubber handle that’s also resistant to corrosive materials, while it’s made even easier to use thanks to a built-in LED worklight, which helps you see into tight corners and direct the tool appropriately. While the standard size chuck is designed to fit 3/8 -inch sockets, the ratchet comes

with a 1/4 -inch adapter, which can be useful for working in tight spaces where there may be a need to attach a smaller-bodied socket.

Our only real criticism would be that it comes supplied in a soft-sided case, which could leave the tool vulnerable to damage in the toolbox.

Surely a hard plastic case wouldn’t have been much more of an investment, and would ensure its long-term protection and longevity?

Overall, though, it’s a very welcome tool that will also be valued by the home DIY enthusiast.

It’ll reduce the risk of hand injuries and arthritis, as well as making light work of most bolt-on, bolt-off automotive tasks.

Milwaukee M12 Fuel Sub Compact 3/8”Drive Ratchet Available from: omnipart.eurocarparts.com Rating: HHHHH

Euro Car Parts is the UK’s No. 1 supplier of car parts. Go online to omnipart.eurocarparts.com WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 13

JUST THE JOB.

BY GAVIN WHITE, MANAGING DIRECTOR OF AUTOTECH RECRUIT

Demand for EV technicians is intensifying – along with calls for increased levels of training The role of the vehicle technician will change dramatically over the next two decades so workshops need to think ahead

V

ehicle technicians not trained to service electric vehicles could be putting themselves at risk, as the gap between the number of electric vehicles entering the market, and technicians fully trained to service them, widens.

Over the last 12 months alone, demand for EV-trained technicians has risen significantly.

However, this increase is largely unsurprising when you see the jump in the numbers of electric and hybrid vehicles on the road today.

While electric vehicles still only represent around two per cent of total light-duty vehicles on the road, sales in the last five years have risen by 97 per cent with 200,000 vehicles expected on the road by the end of this year.

Factor in the news that Oxford is set to ban all petrol and diesel vehicles from its city centre by 2030, with many more cities likely to follow suit, and it is now unquestionable that garages will soon begin to fill with electric vehicles needing servicing and repairs.

However, while manufacturers of electric vehicles are beginning to push dealerships to send their technicians on relevant electric vehicle training courses, many independent garages are either shying away from servicing these types of vehicles, or bringing in temporary technicians who can.

It’s only a matter of time before somebody, without the right knowledge, puts a spanner in a high-voltage area. Therefore we, as an industry, have a duty of care to not only ensure the safety of vehicle technicians through training, but that independent garages are fully proficient to deal with the inevitable influx.

While there is sufficient training available, it isn’t regulated by the government. This lack of enforcement means that independent garages,

who are already feeling increased pressure with high workloads and a lack of skilled technicians, are largely unwilling to send their employees on training courses for even a day due to the loss of revenue through empty bays.

This lack of investment, of both money and time, could be short-sighted, as they will end up turning away potential business in the future.

With more and more manufacturers pledging to go all-electric, and, through increased pressure

from several bodies, the possibility of electric vehicle training becoming regulated in the future, it is vital that independent garages upskill their technicians, so they are prepared.

The role of the vehicle technician will change dramatically over the next two decades, and the only way the current workforce can sustain their roles is to train.

For further information please contact hello@autotechrecruit.co.uk or call 01234 240503.

Who is Gavin White? After spotting a gap in the market for a recruitment agency dedicated to placing temporary workers in the motor trade, Gavin established Autotech Recruit in 2010. As an agency solely focused on the automotive aftermarket, Autotech Recruit supplies MOT testers and vehicle technicians on a contract and permanent basis. Gavin now employs more than 20 staff at the company’s head office, with a contractor network of 300 MOT testers and vehicle technicians, supplying workshops across the UK.

14 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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| 15

Will you help us put the wheels in motion?

Donate ÂŁ2 & wear a hat to work on 10th October 2018, World Mental Health Day Together we can transform mental health support across the automotive industry Sign up now hatson4ben.co.uk #HatsOn4Ben Ben - Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund. Lynwood Court, Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Ascot, SL5 0FG. A charity registered in England and Wales (no.297877) and Scotland (no.SC039842). A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no.02163894).

16 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

FOCUS ON

EDYNAMIX

HARDEST JOB IN THE DEALERSHIP JUST GOT A WHOLE LOT EASIER EDYNAMIX

T: 0845 413 0000

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“

As a special promotion, all Workshop readers get the first month’s subscription FREE, regardless of whether you’re an existing eDynamix customer or not. Simply quote WORKSHOP when inquiring.

STEVE URE

STEVE URE, strategic account manager at eDynamix, discusses the company’s exciting Active Digital Reception (ADR) app.

‘SERVICE advisers have the hardest job in the dealership’ is what I was told when I was in that role, and it certainly felt like it. There were so many systems and processes to follow even before we started talking to customers.

On top of this is a plethora of paperwork. Even the job card these days has a million and one tick boxes and data capture points. Inevitably things get missed and, as a result, entire processes fail.

Now imagine if all the ‘best practices’ a service advisor should do when checking in a customer during arrival at the dealership and discussing what had happened during the day when they come to collect their vehicle could be done on a user-friendly app from a tablet device.

Processes such as • Updating customer contact details • Capturing marketing consent * • Agreeing the best ‘on the day’ contact method and progress update time • Recording if jobs are ‘waiting’ or when they are required for • Capturing payment type • Recording vehicle condition (including image capture) • Recording service book and locking wheel nut location • Checking basic VHC items (customisable to dealer preferences) • Offering additional upsell opportunities • Booking out loan cars (including damage and fuel level recording) – and much more…

All this is possible within eDynamix Active Digital Reception (ADR), the new extension to the iVHC module.

ADR runs on both iOS and Android tablets and can even work offline, allowing service advisors to use it out of wi-fi range (or even off-site if collecting a vehicle).

What’s more, as with all our products, installation, set-up and training is FREE and you are never tied into a rolling contract of more than a month in duration.

As a special promotion, all Workshop readers get the first month’s subscription FREE, regardless of whether you’re an existing eDynamix customer or not. Simply quote WORKSHOP when inquiring. ** For more information, or to book a FREE, no-obligation demo at your premises, just contact us!

Call: 0845 413 0000 Email: enquiries@edynamix.com Visit: www.edynamix.com *Requires iConsent subscription. **Terms apply, demo must be booked by August 31, 2018 to qualify.

Well designed and clearly laid out, the eDynamix Active Digital Reception app will definitely aid the smooth running of any garage WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 17

GARAGEFOCUS .

BUSINESS OWNER BELIEVES IN KEEPING AHEAD OF THE GAME WITH THE HELP OF AUTOFIRST NETWORK

Ticking all the boxes thanks to top equipment and a talented team WALSALL WOOD TYRE & SERVICE

I

n amongst the MOT bay and two-ramp facility at Walsall Wood Tyre & Service is a piece of equipment you’d expect to see installed at a major OEM rather than a local independent repairer. Considered something of a crown jewel, a four-wheel chassis dynamometer is enabling the repairer to thoroughly test the vehicles it works on through a simulated road environment. Such technology means its technicians can offer a bespoke testing service in addition to regular servicing and MOT work.

Owner Nathan Taylor explains: ‘A four-wheel chassis dyno is not a typical garage investment but it plays an important part in our drive to offer a complete service to customers. We do a lot of ECU work and it is useful to be able to test the vehicles we repair without leaving the workshop.

‘We are working with Workshop Solutions at Euro Car Parts to create a dedicated customer area next to the dyno where motorists can view the work we do. This transparency gives customers something to do while they wait for their vehicle and also builds trust, as they can clearly see the work we are carrying out.’

Since purchasing the dyno, Walsall Wood Tyre and Service has been able to quickly reap a return on its initial investment, with the dedicated test area bringing an array of interesting vehicles to the workshop, including several Golf MK1 GTI models as well as classic and historic vehicles.

‘Growing up, I was always interested in all things car-related,’ says Taylor. ‘To be able to create a business that offers true enthusiasts the opportunity to have their prized vehicles worked on to an extremely high standard has been very rewarding. We have had people travel from as far away as Kent to use our services as our reputation continues to grow.’

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We’ve always wanted to be the kind of garage that stands out.

18 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

The future looks bright for Walsall Wood Tyre & Service – it has certainly grown impressively over the last three years!

Giving Walsall Wood Tyre and Service a platform for further growth is the Autofirst Network, the fastest growing grid of quality independent garages in the UK. In addition to being able to access the Workshop Solutions team and take advantage of technical partnerships with brands such as Shell, Pagid and Klarius, as well as installing the latest equipment, such as the DPF cleaning machine currently being fitted, membership gives the garage an opportunity to tap into new training opportunities via the Euro Academy.

‘I’m a big believer in keeping ahead of the game when it comes to the changes facing the automotive sector,’ says Taylor. ‘With electric and hybrid vehicles becoming more common, it is imperative that we grow our knowledge as a team, so we don’t get left behind.

‘This is why the Euro Academy is so invaluable to us. It gives us the opportunity to continually train our technicians to IMI standards, ensuring we remain ahead of the curve when servicing all makes and models of vehicle.

‘We also run our own apprenticeship

programme and Euro Academy enables us to ensure that younger technicians are being taught the right information to stay on top of evolving electrical systems, ADAS, sensor technologies and sophisticated control units.’

The complete package delivered through the Autofirst Network is enabling Walsall Wood & Tyre to achieve phenomenal growth. When the company started up in 2015, it had just one employee. Today, it employs 13 dedicated technicians and its online booking system is busy.

‘It’s been an exciting three years since opening, and we have invested in the team, equipment and the premises to create an environment where we feel we can keep evolving with the automotive industry,’ Taylor adds.

‘As we continue to grow, the future looks bright. We can attract young technicians because of the impressive work environment we provide.

And, from the support we receive through Autofirst, we can provide all our employees with training, equipment and advice.

‘We’ve always wanted to be the kind of garage that stands out for the exceptional equipment we use, the experience and talent of our team and the outstanding customer service we provide. We can confidently say we are ticking all those boxes.’

· For more information on the benefits of being an Autofirst Network garage, contact your local Euro Car Parts branch or visit www.autofirstnetwork.com

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| 19

FOCUS ON

WORKSHOP VIDEO

BUILDING A LARGE AMOUNT OF TRUST BY USING A SMALL SCREEN EURO CAR PARTS

WWW.VIEWMECH.COM

Helen Robinson, marketing director at Euro Car Parts, looks at how repairers can utilise modern video technology to build greater trust with customers.

ASK any repairer to name the most valuable aspect of their business and the majority will not talk about their expensive MOT bay, their sophisticated diagnostics equipment, or their extensive tooling collection. Instead, the part of a business that holds most value costs nothing to buy but a lot of time and work to earn – customer trust.

Around 70 per cent of franchised dealers have already turned to personalised customer video software to compete with the independent market to help build customer trust.

Internet-based, multimedia technologies allow dealers to send customers an email with a link to a short video of their vehicle whilst in the workshop, demonstrating any defects found and repairs required.

This gives the customer a quick and detailed view of any additional work required on their vehicle, explaining the cost and safety implications of delaying repairs. Until very recently, the cost of this software was too high for many independent repairers. Euro Car Parts has developed its own cost-effective video platform, which has the potential to enhance the professionalism of independent repairers, increase transparency, build trust and further improve customer service.

25 per cent more work conversions

The Viewmech workshop video system is already available across the Euro Car Parts national repairer network, with early adopters reporting up to 25 per cent more work conversions thanks to the straightforward advisory upselling process.

When a technician identifies additional, urgent or advisory work, Viewmech enables them to film a short video and send it via a text message linked to a branded customer landing page. On average, text messages are opened within two minutes, speeding up quote-approval times for repairers.

Voiceovers and demonstrations can be added to the video to give customers a detailed explanation of any work required, eliminating technical jargon and enabling independent repairers to provide an honest and professional service.

The app works in conjunction with a dashboard, where repairers can review all videos, adding quotes and notes before sending a film to a customer and tracking how many views it has had. There is a vehicle registration mark (VRM) look-up facility to confirm the make and model of the car being examined and each technician has their own individual profile, making customer service more personalised.

Cutting straight to the chase

From a customer perspective, video updates about their

20 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

vehicle quickly demonstrate what work is needed and why it is required. It gives them an opportunity to call back the repairer after watching the video and book additional work.

For a repairer, Viewmech boosts revenue, increases customer retention and helps win new business.

Personalised customer video software is no longer the preserve of dealerships as Viewmech is available in two different monthly subscription packages. The basic package includes up to 25 video uploads per month, while the premium version includes up to 150 video uploads.

Further bolt-on packages are also available for repairers who wish to send additional videos.

Hardware is also included in the package as part of the licence to run the Viewmech app and film the videos.

Increasing levels of repeat business

With the advent of driverless cars and sophisticated in-car infotainment systems, motorists are becoming more used to accessing technology and now expect to use it in every area of their lives. With Viewmech, we are enabling repairers to help their customers make informed decisions about their vehicles more quickly.

By developing Viewmech and making it available to independent repairers, we are giving them an affordable way to remain competitive.

FOCUS ON

REMANUFACTURING

GOOD AS NEW – THE BENEFITS OF REMANUFACTURED ENGINES EURO CAR PARTS

W: OMNIPART.EUROCARPARTS.COM

u

Original units are stripped down to the core and rebuilt from the ground up as part of the remanufacturing process

As the only parts supplier in the UK with a dedicated powertrain team, Euro Car Parts understands more than most the benefits that remanufactured engines provide to the aftermarket. In this article, Paula Huesca De Crean, Chief Commercial Officer at Euro Car Parts, explains more.

NOT ONLY do remanufactured engines bring cost and environmental benefits to repairers, but they all perform to the same performance specification as their original equivalents.

At Euro Car Parts, we work very closely with leading engine remanufacturing companies, such as Ivor Searle and Vege, to bring their ranges to the independent aftermarket.

All available remanufactured engines comply to OE standards ISO 9001 and BST, ensuring they meet or exceed original performance requirements. This high standard allows us to offer an impressive 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty on parts and labour.

Not bad when you consider that a remanufactured engine, cylinder head, gearbox or turbocharger can cost up to 40 per

“

cent less than an OE equivalent. Remanufacturing an engine is an incredibly technical process that requires significant investment in skills and equipment, and rigorous inspection procedures.

To qualify as remanufactured, an engine must be extensively tested to achieve a level of performance and reliability equivalent to the original engine.

The ISO 9001 standard details the testing procedure and inspection process that must take place, and stipulates that all key components, including piston assemblies, large and small bearings, as well as bushes, gaskets and seals, timing chains and drive belts, must be completely renewed.

There is a clear difference between a reconditioned and remanufactured engine.

A reconditioned engine has been cleaned with some damaged components replaced in an attempt to restore it back to its previous condition.

However, reconditioning is a subjective process and offers few guarantees to the end customer when it comes to warranty, longevity and performance.

Compared to the reconditioning process, remanufactured

When it comes to remanufactured engines, we currently cover 95 per cent of the car parc – a figure that is constantly increasing.

engines go through a more thorough process. Original units are stripped down to the core and rebuilt from the ground up, using the highest quality materials and engineering processes to return them to original performance specification levels. In most instances, performance is actually improved.

Euro Car Parts is a big advocate of remanufactured parts, with options across the range. When it comes to remanufactured engines, we currently cover 95 per cent of the car parc – a figure that is constantly increasing.

To demonstrate to repairers how effective remanufactured engines are, we have reduced prices across the range for a limited time. A Ford Transit engine is now available for a fraction of a new engine price and comes with a 12-month unlimited-mileage warranty for parts and labour. Prices for remanufactured gearbox units have also been slashed, with most units significantly more cost-effective than new gearboxes sourced from dealers.

In addition to delivering guaranteed performance at an unbeatable price, remanufactured engines also carry green credentials. A remanufactured engine is produced using less core metal than a new OE engine, with 85 per cent of an engine’s original components returned to OEM specification.

Remanufacturing also uses around 85 per cent less energy than other manufacturing processes, reducing both landfill and energy demands.

For more information, and for specific details on Euro Car Parts’ range of remanufactured engines and components, contact the dedicated powertrain team via your nearest Euro Car Parts branch or visit https://omnipart.eurocarparts.com WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

| 21

OUR KEV.

OUR MAN ON THE INSIDE HAS HIS SAY ON THE GARAGE BUSINESS...

EVs? Not sure where to start – or whether I want to bother!

T here are a fair few people in this industry who are resistant to change, even though in the automotive world, it’s ever-present.

First, it was the mysteries of fuel injection and electronic ignitions, then came ECUs, body control modules, multiplex wiring, throttle-by-wire, ESP and, more recently, part-autonomous systems such as emergency braking.

Yet even as technology has progressed, the principle of propulsion has always been the same – in goes the fuel, a few cylindrical bits of metal move up and down, there’s a squeeze and a bang and out pops some smoke.

But all that’s about to change – big-style.

Electric cars might only account for a fraction of the market at the moment, but our increasingly inept government is steering people away from the type of power that we’ve spent ages (and billions) making ever more efficient, towards one that’s in its infancy. Electric, we’re told, is the future.

I can’t help but think that, 50 years from now, commentators will look back on the current crop of electric cars as being about as sophisticated as Homer Simpson in his underpants.

That, as a species, we’d taken a step back from having vehicles that would travel over 500 miles and take no more than five minutes to replenish, to ones that will do fewer than 200 miles before needing to be plugged in for an aeon, while their owners look self-satisfied while relaxing in Dick Turpin’s overpriced coffee emporium on the M5 southbound.

After all, there’s nothing like a Salted Caramel Soya Frappuccino to demonstrate your elevated social status and green credentials (and ease the boredom) while the plug-in tractor slurps its own favourite beverage from the grid – placing so much demand on the nation’s infrastructure that we have to shovel more and more fossil fuels into our power stations to keep up.

And yes, I freely admit I’m a cynic. EVs have their fans, of course, but I’m afraid I’m not one of them. They’re a huge threat to the garage industry, as nobody knows what to do with them. When it comes to brakes, steering and suspension parts, they’re like normal cars, but when it

comes to what’s under the hood, I genuinely haven’t got a clue, and we’re not talking 12-volt electrics here, are we?

No. If I do something stupid with a Ford Mondeo, the worst that will happen is I leap 20 feet across the workshop thanks to the shock I get through my spanner arm. Do the same with an electric car and you may as well take your tea break by having a quick sit-down on Old Sparky without checking to see whether or not it’s plugged in.

Electric cars, then, are like electric appliances.

The key components might as well bear a slogan saying ‘No User Serviceable Parts Inside’ because as far as your average garage technician is concerned, that’s pretty much what we’re all thinking.

First of all, we don’t really know where to start, and secondly, quite a few of us don’t want to. We didn’t spend our apprenticeships wondering how to fettle an electric motor to operate at its absolute best, or deciding if it’d sound better with a cherry bomb or a side-exit tailpipe.

Some of the things I grew up loving will be on the danger list, too. Nobody wants to go banger-racing in a Nissan Leaf. And as for the next generation of classic cars? Well, I can’t help but think it’ll be game over.

As cars become more like domestic appliances, they’ll disappear with obsolescence.

At this point, I was going to use the pay-off line ‘after all, you don’t see many enthusiasts exhibiting their twin tub washing machines at shows’, but I decided to consult Google for confirmation, only to discover a man in Farnham called Keith, who is exceptionally proud of his 1965 Hoovermatic and calls himself a ‘domestic laundry enthusiast’.

No doubt the old toploader we’ve got out the back of the workshop, full of alternators and starter motors we’re about to send for refurbishment, would send our Keith into a right spin, but we doubt there are many folk like him.

Whereas whenever I get my old Capri out of the garage, it draws people towards it as if it has electromagnetic force.

Somehow, I can’t see many people getting misty-eyed over Keith’s Hoovermatic, because ‘my mum had one of those back in the day’. And that, I fear, is what the advent of EVs will eventually do to the car. It’ll be a sad day.

WHO IS OUR KEV? If we told you, we’d have to kill you... What we can say is he’s been around for longer than he cares to remember so certainly knows his stuff...

22 | WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

”

I can’t help but think that, 50 years from now, people will look back on the current crop of electric cars as being about as sophisticated as Homer Simpson in his underpants.

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W: dragon2000.co.uk T: 01327 222 333 E: sales@dragon2000.co.uk Info: Dragon2000 supplies garages and car dealers with a multiaward winning Dealer Management System, time and efficiency monitoring and integrated websites for online service bookings.

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W: nebulasystems.com T: 01280 816333 E: sales@nebulasystems.com Info: Nebula Systems specialises in the development of advanced technologies for the automotive and future mobility industries. We make vehicle data and systems more accessible so that a vehicle’s health, status and utilisation can be monitored, analysed, diagnosed and maintained, faster and more effectively, anytime and anywhere.

W: pro-align.co.uk T: 01327 323007 E: enquiries@pro-align.co.uk Info: Dedicated wheel alignment specialists, supplying, supporting and servicing the world-leading Hunter brand nationwide: Hunter aligners – Fast, accurate, reliable, unlocking business opportunities, delivering major income stream and rapid ROI Road Force balancer – A new service very few workshops deliver Tyre changers – Easy service perfection

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W: progressrecruitment.co.uk T: 01603 717187 E: info@progressrecruitment.co.uk Info: Progress Recruitment Solutions provide specialist recruitment services for all automotive roles across the UK. Their experienced team will work with you to find the right candidate and offer a bespoke service tailored to meet the individual requirements of your business.

W: edynamix.com T: 0845 413 0000 E: enquiries@edynamix.com Info: eDynamix offers web-based applications providing a connected and simple-to-use platform in which dealers can manage a customer throughout the service lifecycle, including service plans, electronic vehicle health check, repair and finance plans, proactive follow-up, online bookings, MOT cleanse, VIDEO1st, aftersales surveys, and automated confirmations and reminders.

W: buttsequipment.com T: 01302 710868 E: info@buttsequipment.com Info: Butts of Bawtry is literally a ONE STOP SHOP for the garage or workshop. Offering a comprehensive range of Quality Garage Equipment from leading manufacturers, backed up by our team of trained and certified service and repair engineers. From a trolley jack to a complete workshop installation, Butts have the answer.

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W: blue-print.co.uk T: 01622 833007 E: adl-blueprint.bpic@bilsteingroup.com Info: As part of the Bilstein Group, Blue Print supplies OEmatching quality vehicle components, with strong Asian and American coverage. With more than 23,000 different parts in its range, from braking and clutch components to filtration, Blue Print covers a huge portion of the vehicle parc. Want to get it right first time? Think Blue Print.

W: IndependentGarageAssociation.co.uk T: 0845 305 4230 E: enquiries@rmif.co.uk Info: The Independent Garage Association is the largest and most prominent representative body in the independent garage sector. We are the voice of the industry in matters arising in UK and EU Government, and we help independent garages to thrive in all aspects of their business by offering advice, information and services.

TO HAVE YOUR DETAILS INCLUDED HERE CALL 023 9252 2434 AND ASK FOR WORKSHOP SUPPLIERS GUIDE LISTINGS WorkShopMagazine.co.uk

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