News 8 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2024 In association with The heat is on for teams planning to take part in this year’s industry leader challenge for automotive industry charity Ben — with the unforgiving terrain of the Sahara awaiting them on the horizon. Up to 10 teams of two will spend five days trekking across the Sahara in Morocco in November to raise a minimum of £20,000 per team for Ben. Participants will spend up to 10 hours a day trekking across the desert, covering up to 27km a day with daytime temperatures expected to be between 25-35°C — before plummeting to around zero at night. To date, teams from the Retail Motor Industry Federation, the Independent Garage Association and LKQ ECP have signed up to take on this year’s challenge. Of those organisations Stuart James, director of RMIF, Rob Collison, IGA chairman and Kevin Finn, RMIF chair of RMIF and IMI, are confirmed as taking part. Matt Wigginton, Ben’s director of partnerships, engagement and income said as with all such events, the primary focus is on raising funds to support people in the automotive industry who are facing challenges beyond their control. Participants must have a good level of fitness to endure five consecutive days of trekking the Sahara. There are limited spaces available so for more information or to register your interest email Matt (matt. wigginton@ben.org.uk). Increases in fuel theft plus a rise in shoplifting across the UK is costing garages more than £100 million annually, Aftermarket has learned. Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) executive director Gordon Balmer said data released by the Office for National Statistics on April 25 — showing the surge in shoplifting incidents reaching the highest levels in two decades — plus fuel theft, was “a very real financial challenge” for garages and forecourt operators. The PRA told Aftermarket its own current figures indicate that, on average, sites currently report more than eight incidents per month. Fuel taken in no-means-of-paying (NMOP) cases stands at an average of nearly £70. Around 28% of NMOP drivers pay within four days of declaring they forgot wallets/purses, necessitating follow-up letters and phone calls from garages. And the average value of fuel taken in drive-off (DO) cases exceeds £50. The distribution of incidents by type averages at 28% for NMOP and 72% for DO, according to the PRA. Balmer said PRA members are having to take steps to minimise their losses including enhanced in-store security, bodycams, and facial recognition software, all aimed at protecting retail premises and staff from criminal activities. Alert to garages over fuel theft and shoplifting LKQ Euro Car Parts has agreed a four-year exclusive deal with the RAC to supply more than 150 of the roadside assistance organisation’s mobile mechanics across the UK. Under the terms of the agreement, announced on May 7, LKQ will supply the RAC’s rapidly expanding mobile mechanics service, through which motorists can book a mechanic for servicing, diagnostics or vehicle health checks at home or at work. LKQ will also be the preferred supplier to the RAC’s network of approved garages — comprising 900 sites that have been evaluated as providing a guaranteed high level of service. The new agreement builds on an existing 10-year partnership between LKQ and the RAC, which involves providing parts to 1,600 RAC breakdown patrols and collaborating on fleet telematics and driver monitoring. Paul Coward, CEO of RAC’s service, maintenance and repair division said in addition to having vehicle manufacturer quality parts for a vast range of vehicles, LKQ’s nationwide distribution network and shared values help the RAC and its accredited network of independent garages to help millions of motorists. LKQ secures deal to supply RAC’s mobile mechanics Ben turns up heat with Sahara trek funds challenge
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