Aftermarket March 2022

NEWS 8 AFTERMARKET MARCH 2022 www.aftermarketonline.net FAURECIA takes over HELLA HELLA has been bought by FAURECIA, and the move has made the combined companies under the new name Forvia, the seventh- largest automotive supplier in the world. Commenting on the development, HELLA CEO Dr. Rolf Breidenbach said: "We are now opening a new chapter in our corporate history. Although we will continue to operate as a legally independent company, our new majority shareholder FAURECIA opens up additional opportunities that we would not have had on our own." UFI Filters strengthens anti-counterfeit measures UFI Filters has increased its anti-counterfeit online surveillance activity worldwide. According to UFI Filters, monitoring carried out by Turin- based internet and brand protection services provider CONVEY and the company itself have intercepted more than 2.5 million illegal parts transactions online across the world. UFI Filters has had more than 8,000 adverts removed from 33 e- commerce platforms as a result. UFI Filters has also prepared a data sheet highlighting the differences between its UFI Filters 24.ONE.01 diesel filter and counterfeit filters on the market. WhoCanFixMyCar.Com/ Which? team-up Independent garages that belong to WhoCanFixMyCar can now join garage endorsement scheme Which? Trusted Traders, with 50% off membership fees for the first six months. WhoCanFixMyCar founder Al Preston commented: “We’re delighted to be highlighting businesses on WhoCanFixMyCar who are associated with Which? Trusted Traders to develop more relationships with garages who can benefit from their endorsement.” Pontefract MOT Tester banned for fraud by DVSA The new UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, presented by Automechanika is taking place from 8-9 June at the NEC Birmingham, and the list of companies supporting the event continues to grow. Recent additions include Platinum Partners, LKQ Euro Car Parts, Bilstein Group (Blue Print & febi Bilstein) and Castrol with their ambassador partner, The Race Group. Other event partners include Autogem, Automotive Alliance Group (Group Auto), Bosch Automotive Aftermarket UK, Bosch Car Service, Dayco Europe, LIQUI MOLY UK, Snap-on Diagnostics, Thatcham Research, The Tool Connection and ZF [pro]Tech, and more. The event is also being backed by major sector associations such as the GEA, HEVRA, IAAF, IGA, IMI, NBRA, School of Thought, SMMT and The Motor Ombudsman. Project Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, Kristan Johnstone, added: “The focus on showcasing practical demonstrations of new technologies, products and training initiatives is what our audience of garage and bodyshop customers has asked for, especially as this will be the first major opportunity to do so since the return of face-to-face events.” For more information, visit: www.ukgaragebodyshopevent.com A Pontefract-based MOT tester who claimed to have performed a MOT test on a van in West Yorkshire when it was actually in Spain has been sentenced to a 12-month community order. He was also banned from testing for five years by DVSA. Jamie Smith issued a pass certificate for the Mercedes-Benz C van in the UK, when at the time it had been impounded by Spanish police for not having valid tax or MOT. It was one of a total of nine vehicles where he issued false MOT certificates. DVSA’s Head Regulatory Services & Transformation, Caroline Hicks said: “We will ensure that anyone who compromises safety in pursuit of personal gain feels the full force of the law.” Backing for UK Garage and Bodyshop Event grows