Leaves decorating the streets in an array of colour may be an autumn delight to some, but for many motorists they lead to frustrating breakdowns and expensive repairs. When autumn leaves start to fall they don’t just disrupt trains – they can have a devastating effect on the electronics of many modern cars warns the IAM (Institute of Advanced Motorists).

• Increasing complexity of automotive systems demands a high level of safety and reliability
• AutoFMEATM enables automated safety and reliability analysis in parallel with design at each stage of the design cycle
• Eliminates cumbersome and time-consuming manual analysis, resulting in more rigorous design and substantial time and cost savings

The primary aim of Thatcham’s Safe Repair Project is to validate repairs on vehicles where there are known substantial differences in panel joining methods from the processes used in manufacture. Particularly significant are the repair methods for key structural areas like front chassis legs or complete B-post reinforcements, where safety is paramount and the correct repair method intrinsically important.

Would you trust your local garage with your best mate’s life?

Top Technician are looking for the top vehicle technician of 2009 and they need your help

Tell them the name of the garage that you trust to repair your vehicle. Whether it’s an independent or a franchised repairer, they would like to hear from you:

Log onto www.toptechnician.co.uk and click on the link that says ‘Drivers: Nominate now!’

Type in the name and location of the garage you recommend, plus your details where prompted. If you know the name of the technician who works on your vehicle then great. If not, we will contact the garage for you and invite them to put their best technicians forward.

Nominate the eventual winner of Top Technician 2009 and you could receive a special prize.

Top Technician 2009 is sponsored by Bosch, Comma Oil & Chemicals, Euro Car Parts, NGK, Sachs and Snap-on Tools. The competition’s technical partner is Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA). Further information is available online at www.toptechnician.co.uk.

Focus on motorsport technicians of the future

The apprentice class of 2008 has started at British motorsport specialist, Prodrive.   Eleven new starters, including the company’s first ever female apprentice, have begun their three year apprenticeships with the company, in what is one of the motorsport industry’s largest apprenticeship schemes.