www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2024 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 8 Big issue: Looking ahead to 2024 12 Neil Pattemore: Christmas comes early 16 TomTom: Capital idea 18 Petronas: Futureproofing workshops TOP TECHNICIAN/TOP GARAGE 20 Top Technician and Top Garage 2024 22 Russ Houlden: Curtain call TECHNICAL 24 Aftermarket of the future 26 Frank Massey: A month in the life 28 Repairify: ADAS IN FOCUS 30 Snap-on: Solus+ 32 Diagnostic tools 36 Fuel systems and cleaners 38 Wheel alignment 42 ADAS 46 Training and apprenticeships 50 Winter checks 54 Snap-on: Emissions testing PLUS... 56 General products 58 On the Road: VLS 10th anniversary 60 Training update 62 Teabreak 63 Buyers’ Guide 82 Competition AWARD-WINNING EPISODE Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Head of Sales | Angela Lyus angela@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 7823 736 629 Managing Director | Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Contributors Russ Houlden | Neil Kennett | | Frank Massey | Drew Meehan | Neil Pattemore | Phil Peace | Marsha Thomas | Operations Manager | Emma Godden-Wood emma.godden-wood@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Marketing Executive | Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 371081 Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Chief Executive | Ian Atkinson ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Published by | DFA Aftermarket Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE Alex Wells, Editor Average net circulation July 2021 to June 2022 19,073 @aftermarketmagazine @aftermarket01 @aftermarketmagazine ISSN 2516-9149 Aftermarket is published 10 times a year and is sent free of charge to applicants meeting the publisher’s criteria. All others may subscribe at £60 per anum, £120 Europe and £150 rest of the world. While every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or ommisions, no matter how caused. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Copyright: DFA Media Group 2024. In the last issue, you will have seen the winners for Top Technician and Top Garage 2023 announced. Well, this month, it’s my turn to be the winner! If you turn to News on pages 4-7 you will see I received a Special Recognition Award at the Self-driving Industry Awards 2023. This was in acknowledgement of the ongoing coverage Aftermarket has been giving this area, via the Aftermarket of the Future section. As I said in my acceptance speech (me and my ego are leaning really hard into this whole ‘winning’ thing, so buckle up everyone), the reason we are covering what might seem to be an esoteric topic to many in the garage trade is so the sector gets a glimpse at where technology is taking us. Let’s face it, many are still getting to grips with ADAS, so imagine the step-change required when the cars can actually drive themselves to the nearest garage. Remember the connected car? Consider the implications if you combine self-driving cars and the VMs. Those cars will be taking themselves to the nearest franchised dealer without ever considering that there might be another option, and we don’t want that do we? No, we do not. We want the owner/user to have the choice to send Herbie, or K.I.T.T to a local independent specialist, who by the time this is all happening, will be able to provide the relevant service required. As you can see, self-driving is not an isolated technology. Its emergence ties into a whole host of issues we are grappling with already. Luckily, we have Carsofthefuture.co.uk’s Neil Kennett providing his insight on self-driving via the aforementioned Aftermarket of the Future in every issue, and you will find that on pages 24-25. On the convergence of tech and legislation, we can look to Neil Pattemore, who has returned on pages 12-13. This issue he is showing that for once, we have some good news with which to roll down to Christmas. If it’s the future you are after, in Big Issue you will find what some of the major sector bodies expect to be the major topics for 2024. You will find that on pages 8-11. Speaking of New Year, don’t forget that this is the December/January double issue, and that we will be back next in February. Before that however, spooling back to the beginning, there is the matter of Top Technician and Top Garage 2024, which open at the same time on Tuesday 2 January. We have a full article explaining what’s new, and what you need to do to enter on pages 20-21. On page 22 meanwhile, there is a personal reaction on 2023’s Top Garage finals from Russ Houlden, owner of 2022 winners Billingborough Cars and Commercials. If you are new to Top Garage, and wonder what to expect, have a read. Speaking of reading, if you turn to page 63, you will find our latest Buyers Guide, which provides a handy listing on all the key companies in the sector, divided into garage equipment, diagnostic equipment, parts, consumables, training, tools, electric vehicles, motor factors, and more. From here, you can find everything you need to know. Well, I seem to have survived my award-winning episode. All that is left to say is to wish you all Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. See you all in 2024. Enjoy!
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