The latest labour market data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests the UK employment market may be cooling. Here’s Glen Callum Associates Director, Kerrie Richards, to explain why the numbers need to be scrutinised and what it means in the motor factor space. Unemployment has edged up towards 5%, while job vacancies have ...

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Following the SMMT’s announcement of record-breaking new car sales in the UK since before the COVID pandemic, it emerged that Chinese VMs played a significant role in this growth. They accounted for a 16.3% of new registrations in May 2026 – was this anticipated? What does this mean for the aftermarket? PMF spoke to GiPA’s ...

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Factor Sales guides its subscribing motor factors, free of charge, by showing where they stand against the rest of the market. To illustrate its market intelligence and what insights it is delivering to factor partners, Seb de Pedro offers an overview of the trade so far in 2026. There’s a phrase you hear a lot ...

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While battery electric vehicles remove the need for traditional engine oil and fuel filters, they do not remove the need for filtration altogether. Instead, they are shifting into new areas, creating fresh opportunities for workshops, motor factors and suppliers alike that are ready to adapt quickly, as MANN-HUMMEL Product and Marketing Manager – Aftermarket, Gary ...

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The turbocharger market is starting to a display a ‘two-speed’ trend, according to The Turbo Guy Managing Director, Allan Mitchell. He says that while EVs are chipping away at the market share of ICE cars, the LCV and hybrid car segments are sustaining market value – thanks to technological enhancements and strong aftermarket demand. Latest ...

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After PHINIA showcased its hydrogen and alternative fuel innovations at Hyvolution Paris 2026, PMF was intrigued about the potential impact of hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines in the future. As a result, we put some questions to Vice President and General Manager of PHINIA’s global aftermarket business, Neil Fryer. Q. Does PHINIA expect hydrogen ICE technologies to generate demand in the ...

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OSRAM has revealed that its sales of HID bulbs are growing – with some customers seeing a reported 50% increase in sales themselves – what does the OEM put it down to? First introduced in 1991, HID bulbs quickly became a common bulb to use in vehicle headlights, with the BMW 7 Series the first ...

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Although Dayco is a global OEM supplier, it believes misconceptions can still arise in a crowded marketplace. Dayco National Sales Manager, Ann-Marie Dean, offers clarity. Despite our position as an OE supply partner to almost every VM, providing power transmission products for both primary (valve timing) and auxiliary drive systems, some of our customers are ...

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For decades, winter played a pivotal role for the automotive aftermarket, with freezing temperatures and icy roads driving failures and demand. Brands like Autoelectro and BM Catalysts prepared for this predictable surge. Today, though, seasonality is less clear-cut, making year-round vigilance just as important as winter preparation. Traditionally, winter marked the peak season for component ...

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LKQ UK and Ireland Chief Executive, Kevan Wooden, outlines the key trends he and the national distributor expect to shape the trade in 2026. The emotive 2030 ICE ban, the growth of Chinese car brands and greater urgency to tackle skills challenges are set to be “defining themes”. As the aftermarket continues to adapt to evolving ...

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