ACDelco Launches Slick New Oil Labelling At CAAR Show

Leading UK and European aftermarket components supplier, ACDelco, used its

attendance at the recent two day CAAR trade show conference to launch a new look labelling programme across its oils range.

Introduced to add further growth impetus to an already dynamic product offe

ring that has recently benefitted from the introduction of four new fully synthetic oils and

an online lubricants product catalogue, the new labelling is bold, vibrant and striking.

To be rolled out on all 1 and 5 litre containers covering the entire ACDelco oils range, the new labels are visually informative and have been designed to improve product identification at point-of-sale.

Commenting on this latest development, ACDelco’s General Manager, Lee Quinney said: “The new look labelling will help further increase the visibility of oils within ACDelco’s lubricants product range in front of that all important audience, the customer, whilst also strengthening brand awareness. And what better place to unveil the labelling programme than amongst CAAR’s growing rank of members. This was our third year of attending their conference and gala dinner and the reception we got this year at Birmingham’s Forest of Arden Golf & Country Club, particularly in relation to the labels launch, was extremely pleasing.

“Overall, the two days presented us with the ideal platform from which to promote the labelling to a highly relevant audience of key players under the one roof,” he added.

In order to maintain the dynamism of a product offering that sees oils continue to become increasingly manufacturer/model specific, the new online catalogue - available via ACDelco’s UK and European website, acdelco.eu.com - provides comprehensive details relating to a product range that covers the majority of today’s vehicle parc.

Alongside an informative and logically laid out application section is a clearly illustrated product guide, not to mention numerical index and useful competitive cross-reference section. For improved functionality, the online oil catalogue features a series of universally understandable symbols to improve parts identification.

Commenting on behalf of CAAR, Chief Executive, Mike Webb stated: “We have grown in strength with ACDelco over the last three years and it was great to see them use our event to support the roll out of their new oil labelling. As you would expect from a key aftermarket brand such as ACDelco, the labels are very leading edge in terms of their design and appearance and will most certainly be embraced by the aftermarket in general.”

Start-Stop: A New Era In Battery Technology

As part of its on-going education programme, Manbat continues to communicate with CAAR members at events such as the recent CAAR Trade Show at the Forest of Arden, to explain the developments, challenges and opportunities presented by technological advances in battery design.

We are all conscious of the need to protect the environment and to reduce global CO2 emissions and these topics present the car industry with enormous challenges, particularly with the advent of new EU regulations that will come into force next year.

The directive will require vehicle manufacturers to reduce the maximum level of CO2 emissions across Europe to just 130 g/km. This will result in a substantial increase in the demands placed on vehicle batteries because in order to meet the target, vehicle manufacturers are going to need more than just improvements in engine management systems; they will also require innovative battery technologies.

This development makes the issue of ‘hybrid technology’ more relevant than ever and vehicle manufacturers are considering a number of hybrid solutions. However, micro hybrid vehicles - which are generally referred to as Start-Stop vehicles - are set to become the most prominent. There are already around 2.8 million vehicles equipped with Start-Stop technology and the number is expected to rise to 30 million by 2015.

Batteries from Johnson Controls make up the vast majority of OEM batteries fitted to these micro hybrid vehicles and its aftermarket VARTA Start-Stop battery range reflects this position, with five VARTA Start-Stop with EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery) technology and five VARTA Start-Stop Plus with AGM (Absorbent Glass Mat) technology batteries in the line up.

VARTA Start-Stop batteries with EFB technology are ideally suited to vehicles with a standard, entry-level Start-Stop function.

When the engine is switched off, they provide the vehicle’s electrical system with a reliable power supply and ensure that the engine restarts in a fraction of a second. Furthermore, they boast twice as much cyclic stability as conventional batteries and can be allowed to discharge more without any loss of functionality.

VARTA Start-Stop Plus batteries are the perfect solution for vehicles featuring advanced Start-Stop technology with regenerative braking and additional fuel-saving technologies. Only the specially developed VARTA Start-Stop Plus batteries with AGM technology can meet the challenges imposed by these systems.

Compared to VARTA Start-Stop batteries, VARTA Start-Stop Plus batteries offer even greater performance and versatility, and are capable of reliably supplying power to an even greater range of devices.

Manbat is positively encouraging members to make preparations to gear up to deal with this new generation of batteries and as the approved supplier of VARTA batteries, they are perfectly placed to cater for the requirements of members looking at how to address this changing marketplace.

For further details, please call Manbat customer services on: 01743 460790 or visit: www.manbat.co.uk

Comma Free Motorsport Ticket Giveaway is Back

Comma is celebrating its continuing Technical Partnerships with the FIA Formula Two championship and its operator, MotorSport Vision (MSV) with a massive ‘Motorsport Ticket Giveaway’ promotion. In

all, 70,000 FREE entry tickets to the value of £2 million will be made available for top race meetings across the country at Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park. Major headline events include the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, the MCE British Superbike Championship, FIA Formula 2/International GT Championships, DTM (German Touring Cars) and many more.

Promotional packs of 4.5ltr/5ltr Comma Performance Motor Oil (PMO) will carry a special neck tag printed with a unique code. (20 litre PMO promotional packs will carry a wallet containing 4 neck tags). This unique code is located beneath a scratch panel inside the tag and once revealed, can be redeemed at www.CommaOil.com for a free entry ticket worth up to £42 to top flight MSV race meetings throughout 2011. Alternatively, the code can be redeemed for free entry into a prize draw to win an FIA Formula Two ‘goodie bag’ worth over £100.

“We launched this promotion twelve months ago with great success and it was hugely popular with race fans,” said Comma Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Bewsey. “This year, we’re giving workshops extra tools to make the promotion even better for them and their customers. We’ve produced an informative workshop waiting room poster and special ‘service receipt’ wallets. The wallets are intended for workshops to present their customer with their free promotional ticket tag, along with the service receipt for their vehicle. The wallet is printed with full details of the promotion, the Comma PMO used to service their vehicle, and useful tips on How To Keep Your Car In Shape”

“Motorsport runs through Comma’s DNA,” said Mike. “Our Technical Partnership with MSV embraces the international FIA Formula Two Championship - an official ‘feeder series

for Formula 1 - and the world famous PalmerSport driving experience at Bedford Autodrome.Comma supply the engine lubricants, coolants and maintenance chemicals to all MSV’smotorsport activities and championships, which provides us with a unique ‘real world’ laboratory for all our products to be proven in the cauldron of competition. If our products can survive and thrive in that kind of environment, independent workshops and their customers can have complete confidence in specifying them to service their vehicles.”

For more details visit www.commaoil.com

QH Klarius Chairman Entrepreneur of the Year

Tony Wilson Chairman and COO of the Klarius Group is credited with purchasing and swiftly returning to profitability the emissions control division of Arvin Meritor in 2007. Having repeated the move with the larger £300m turnover Quinton Hazell buyout in February of this year, and returned that part of the business to profitability within three months, market opinion is that he has pulled off yet another very shrewd deal.
A leading panel of judges acting on behalf of EN magazine, ‘the magazine for Entrepreneurs’ has recognised the achievement, and chosen Tony for the coveted title of ‘Entrepreneur of the year’.
Since the acquisition of the Emissions Control activities of ArvinMeritor Light Vehicle Aftermarket Europe, in 2007, Klarius has been the pace-setter in the European automotive aftermarket. The company spectacularly turned around a £7m operating loss on the Emissions Control division in its first full year of trading, and has gone from strength-to-strength with a host of new initiatives that have revolutionised what had become rather a stolid industry sector.
Klarius also announced this month that the Group is posting ‘solid and substantial profits’ just six months after the multimillion pound buyout of automotive aftermarket giant Quinton Hazell (QH). The company has exceeded internal targets for reorganising the business, finding substantial efficiencies, and reaching overall profitability ahead of schedule. This positive situation has allowed Tony to bring plans for further acquisitions forward, based on a solid fiscal base with predicted organic growth also exceeding expectations.
‘We went into the QH deal with a very pragmatic picture of what we could achieve in the short-term and a very positive plan for what we hoped to achieve in the future. Thanks to an excellent management team and some really hard work and outstanding commitment from all the employees within the Group we are already moving forward in a fast, profitable and sustainable manner. It is gratifying to be presented with the award as it reflects well on the entire organisation, not just the individuals at top management level.” said Tony
QH Clutch QH Steering Wix Filters QH Shock Absorbers QH Timing Belts QH Timing Belt Kits QH Brake Pads QH Brake SHoes

Wynn's Launch NOS Octane Boosters

New from Wynn’s are the popular NOS Octane Boosters.
Two different products are available; NOS Octane Booster Racing Formula and MAX Street.
Racing Formula:
• NOS performance for the serious enthusiast.
• Developed to increase octane effect up to 60 points or 6 full octane numbers.
• Blended with MMT and our performance enhancing Powertane, along with Nitro Methane and unique lubricants specially developed for high performance engines.
Max Street:
• NOS maximum performance for the street was developed to increase octane effect up to 30 points or 3 octane numbers.
• Contains our unique performance-enhancing Powertane.
• Restores and improves horsepower. Improves gas mileage, eliminates knocks, pings, and hesitation.
• Protects against carbon deposits in the fuel injectors and combustion chamber.
Racing Formula has an RRP of £19.95 and MAX Street £9.95

Free Motor Racing Tickets From Comma Oil

Comma is celebrating its continuing Technical Partnerships with the FIA Formula Two championship and its operator, MotorSport Vision (MSV) with a massive ‘Motorsport Ticket Giveaway’ promotion.
70,000 FREE entry tickets will be made available for race meetings right across the country, including headline attractions at Brands Hatch, Oulton Park, Snetterton and Cadwell Park. Major events include the FIA World Touring Cars & Formula Two Championship, the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship, the MCE British Superbike Championship, the DTM (German Touring Cars), the British F3/GT Championships and many more.
Promotional packs of 4.5ltr or 5ltr Comma Performance motor oils will feature a promotional neck tag printed with a unique code. Once the pack is purchased, the promotional code can be revealed and redeemed online at www.CommaOil.com for a free entry ticket to one of many top flight MSV motorsport events from May to November 2010. Alternatively, the code can be redeemed for one free entry into a prize draw to win an FIA Formula Two goodie bag.
The promotion has been specially structured to provide a free incentive for independent workshops wishing to offer their customers added value servicing. It is the biggest promotion of its kind ever mounted by Comma, and is being supported by an intensive nationwide PR campaign.
In addition to the international FIA Formula Two, Comma is the supplier of engine oils, coolants and maintenance chemicals for the Formula Palmer Audi race series and the fleet of MSV owned supercars at the world famous PalmerSport driving experience. Collectively, MSV vehicles clock up over 2.3 million track miles a year, providing Comma with an unparalleled ‘real world’ proving ground for ongoing product development.
“The use of our products in the extreme environment of top flight motor sport validates their performance and, combined with our unique written performance guarantee, we show consumers and technicians alike that they can fit Comma products with confidence” says Comma Sales & Marketing Director, Mike Bewsey.

Lucas Oil Launch New Products

Additive and Oil specialists, Lucas Oil has launched three new products including a new Fuel System Cleaner guaranteed to improve any fuel system.

Lucas Deep Clean
A Real Fuel System Cleaner blended with an exclusive Lucas additive package and a specific carrier fluid that contains no diesel fuel, kerosene or anything else that can be harmful or useless to an engine.
Deep Clean
Reduces NOx Emissions,
Deep cleans the entire fuel system and combustion chamber
Removes carbon deposits Totally eliminates knocking and pinging.
Raises mpg & performance

Tool Box Buddy Aerosol
A truly superior penetrate designed to dissolve corrosion and rust without drying. A technical formulation with the lubricating qualities of a heavy oil and the penetrating qualities of a solvent.
Provides a microscopic film that rust proofs for up to a year inside or out.
Use on nuts, bolts, hinges, bearings, guns, fishing reels, sliding doors or a
million other home and shop uses where other products just aren’t good enough.
Excellent protection against water, even salt water.

Lucas Chain Lube
A semi synthetic lubricant designed to meet the demand of today’s high performance motorcycle chains and sprockets. Lucas chain lube is designed to penetrate deeply into the pins and bushing of the chains and provides excellent rust and corrosion protection as well as outstanding water resistance.
Lucas chain lube leaves and anti-friction protective film on the chain and sprocket that ensures minimum wear and minimum drag. It does not fling off, even at high speeds. Its thin film formula resists dust, sand and dirt contamination and minimizes gum formulation.
Lucas chain lube is suitable for use on all chains including O-ring types. It keeps O-rings moist and pliable and resists drying.

Lucas products are stocked by selected CAAR members and you can find further details of all Lucas Oil products by visiting www.lucasoil.co.uk.