News 8 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 Arnold Clark Autoparts has opened the doors of its newest motor factor branch in Liverpool. Craig McCracken, group factor manager at Arnold Clark, said the expansion of the firm’s network was part of its mission to further support independent garages. “Liverpool is a vibrant hub and we’re confident our presence here will support the local automotive industry while meeting the growing demands of our customers.” The new branch will offer an extensive range of globally recognised brands alongside exclusive Arnold Clark Autoparts products such as Disctech braking, Ultratec oils and Goliath batteries, all eligible for the firm’s A-Points loyalty scheme. GSF agrees exclusive UK battery supply deal GSF Car Parts has agreed a deal to exclusively supply Amaron lead batteries for the UK aftermarket. Amaron is among brands from Indian lead battery manufacturing giant Amara Raja Energy & Mobility. GSF said on February 25 the deal marked a significant commercial partnership for supplying high quality vehicle parts and components to the UK aftermarket. Stock will initially be available off the shelf at GSF branches in Birmingham, Bradford, Leeds and London, with batteries readily available for overnight delivery across other areas of the country from GSF’s National Distribution Centre. Five SKUs will cover more than 8,000 applications. Every battery comes with a four-year unlimited mileage warranty. The Amaron brand sells more than 50 million batteries every year across 60 countries, with the UK joining that list following this commercial partnership. HEVRA hails garages alliance expansion Hybrid and EV vehicle repair alliance HEVRA has announced an expansion of its coverage to support more than 400 models. HEVRA, a network of independent garages specialising in electric and hybrid repairs, said the milestone underscored its commitment to providing comprehensive technical expertise and support for the growing number of EV and hybrid owners across the UK. The network ensures its member garages have access to the latest training, diagnostic tools and technical support Craig Scragg, HEVRA technical services manager, said: “Reaching the achievement of over 400 supported models demonstrates our dedication to staying at the forefront of this evolving industry. Vehicle component specialist ELTA Automotive is to produce and distribute Lucas spark plugs throughout the UK and Europe under an exclusive licensing deal. ELTA said on March 10 the move signalled a significant expansion of the Lucas portfolio under its stewardship. The deal builds on the success of the Lucas Vision range — particularly in automotive bulbs, which have seen substantial growth in sales and market share — ELTA said. The launch represents an exciting opportunity for distributors and workshops to drive innovation and ignite sales with a trusted brand. ELTA secures Lucas plugs licensing deal Arnold Clark expands with Liverpool branch First Line gearing up for ‘transformative’ year Parts supplier First Line has said it is geared up for a transformative year, with the market seeing increasing dominance of electric and hybrid vehicles. The family-owned business, with over 40 years of experience in the industry, predicts that 2025 will see the aftermarket sector facing a series of challenges and opportunities, especially as vehicle electrification accelerates. In the last year, First Line expanded its range to make 3,000 references available for hybrid models and a further 1,500 for EVs, including the popular MG electric models. And the company is urging aftermarket suppliers to keep up with the shift in technology to stay competitive.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=