Halfords is planning to expand its network of garages to 400 by opening 30 sites a year over the next five years, with the creation of 1,000 jobs. 15-Mar-2011
VT Group is to set up an automotive training centre in Norwich in September, in order to train mechanics for independent garages. 14-Jul-2009
Howard Basford has sold its 20,000 sq ft accident repair garage on the Bredbury Industrial Estate in Stockport to insurer RSA for undisclosed terms, with the transfer of 30 staff. 09-Feb-2009
Innovation Group is to acquire National Service Network Holdings, the network of 800 independent vehicle maintenance and repair garages, for an initial £1.1m. 19-May-2008
National Tyres is planning to expand its chain of 206 sites to 400 over the next few years by acquiring independent garages across the country. 17-Mar-2006
Black Circles, the online tyre retailer, is planning to open a network of franchises across the country by signing up 700 garages next year. 24-Oct-2005
Begbies Traynor has been appointed administrator at Masters of South London, the operator of five London garages with 90 staff. 06-Feb-2004
Sytner is thought to be considering plans to set up a Ferrari showroom in Nottingham, following the purchase of the Beechdale garage site next to its existing BMW dealership. 10-Oct-2003
Reg Vardy is planning to spend up to £10m opening branded car repair garages in cities such as Leeds, in response to new EU regulations that allow independent garages to compete with the major franchise groups. 02-Oct-2003
Lookers is to invest £6m refurbishing its recently-acquired Vauxhall garages in the Birmingham area, and a new site is expected to serve central Birmingham. 15-Nov-2002
The Garage Equipment Association has announced that Linkay Systems has gone into liquidation, and MOT garages will have to find alternative sources to service their equipment. 24-May-2002
British Telecom is considering plans to open up its BT Fleet Partners garage network to offer servicing and fleet management to other companies, and is seeking a partner to help with vehicle sourcing and disposals. 28-Aug-2001
Centrica has acquired 129 Halfords garages from Boots for £5.7m, and will invest £10m in the sites in order to expand the range of motoring services offered by its AA division. 26-Jul-2001
The AA has bought petrolbusters.com for £0.25m, which will enable it to direct motorists to the cheapest garages. 09-Nov-2000
Siemens is planning a £230m project to provide internet links between 19,000 garages and the Vehicle Inspectorate in order to combat MoT fraud, and the company will also use the system to develop an online marketplace for the motor trade. 25-Aug-2000
Ruthven Motor Company is to shed up to 44 staff at its showroom and garage in Inverness, after Mercedes withdrew its franchise. 12-May-2000
Passey & Porter, the Weston-super-Mare garage business, has gone into receivership, putting 23 jobs at risk. 09-May-2000
Wheelers, the Newbury-based Renault garage, is planning to open a showroom in Andover later this year, having been awarded the additional territory by the French car importer. 25-Sep-1999
Reg Vardy is in discussions with two unnamed vehicle manufacturers interested in buying UK garage sites that could then be operated by Vardy. 02-Jul-1999
Lex Commercials is creating 30 jobs by keeping its vehicle servicing garage in Stoke-on-Trent open for 24 hours a day. 04-Mar-1999
Arriva has added two new Peugeot franchises on Teesside with the acquisition of the former Minories dealership in Stockton and a garage in Hartlepool. 10-Sep-1998
Direct Line, the telephone-based insurance company, is launching a motor breakdown service called Direct Line Rescue, which will offer rescue cover based on the type and age of vehicle and roadside garages will be used to attend the breakdowns. 16-May-1998
Finelist is planning to double the number of garage supply outlets to 400 over the next three years and increase the number of car parts retail outlets from 387 to 500. 11-Sep-1997