We’ve expanded our Kia offering in Aberdeen, by moving the franchise into its own premises.

The original branch, located on Whitemyres Place, formerly housed Fiat, Kia, Jeep and Abarth. The new and improved branch on Hillview Road exclusively offers new and used Kia cars.

The new branch has a much larger forecourt with over 80 cars and showroom space featuring 15 cars, meaning there’s a greater variety of Kias to browse on site, and a fantastic new children’s play area for the little ones.

On top of this, the Service department has expanded, with extra workshop bays, bringing their total up to five.

Aberdeen Kia’s open weekend

To launch this exciting new Kia branch, we hosted an open weekend on 25th and 26th February.

Kia Regional Business Manager Paul Bond was on hand to open the branch and answer any questions our customers had about the brand. Northsound 1 Homerun radio presenter, Andy James, also made an appearance, and broadcast live from the branch on Sunday.

There were also face painters and balloon artists to entertain the kids on the day.

The branch hosted a raffle, where they gave away some brilliant prizes, including an iPad Mini, Love2shop vouchers and more.

Customers were also treated to two years’ free servicing with any new or delivery mileage Kia purchased.

Arnold Clark service centres across the UK are running an exciting competition called ‘Buy a Tyre, Win £1000’. Customers will be entered into a draw to win £1000 when they buy a Hankook tyre during March and April.

There will be four winners over the course of the promotion, amounting to a total of £4000 up for grabs.

Need more than one tyre? Don’t worry – Arnold Clark will give you an entry for every single tyre you purchase.

Winner announcements

Winners will be announced on the following dates:

• 15th March
• 29th March
• 12th April
• 1st May

Watch this space for updates from each winner as they happen.

Accessorise your Sorento

Thinking of taking a trip in your caravan or motorhome to celebrate the arrival of spring? You could be doing it in style with up to £1000 of genuine Kia accessories to add a few extra bells and whistles to your Kia Sorento.

To qualify for this offer, all you have to do is become a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club. This exclusive offer runs until 30th June 2017, so don’t miss out!

Kia accessory range

With up to £1000 worth of accessories to pick from, which will you choose? Perhaps a set of tailor-made, all-weather mats to keep your car footwell in great condition. A mudguard kit is perfect to protect your car’s under body from those muddy fields. Or maybe you’ll opt to boost your carrying capacity with a shiny aluminium roof rack. The choice is yours!

No matter which new accessories you choose, your Sorento is more than up to the task of driving you forward on your next adventure.

Kia Sorento offers

Still need to find the right Sorento for you? Check our offers on the brand new Kia Sorento range.

Superminis to watch out for

Abarth 595 Pista

Racing into the Geneva Motor Show is Abarth’s sporty new version of the 595. This special edition 595 Pista features new trick brakes, suspension and telemetry system.

While this model will keep the same 158bhp, 1.4-litre engine as the standard 595, it does have some neat features for track enthusiasts, such as Abarth Telemetry. This setup has iconic racing circuit routes and helpful tips pre-loaded, and the capability to record custom courses.

With its unique styling and performance additions, Abarth expects this to be its new brand icon.

SEAT Ibiza

Making its world debut is the new SEAT Ibiza. Taking cues from the success of the Leon, SEAT has made the new Ibiza slightly bigger, and given it some edgier accents.

What’s going to make the Ibiza stand out in the incredibly saturated supermini market is its connectivity, with Mirror Link, Android Auto and Apple Car Play all available. There’s also a Beats sound system with six speakers, subwoofer and 300W amplifier.

Fiat celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 500

There will be a limited number of special series of Fiat 500s on display at the show. The new model will feature two-tone colour paintwork and 16-inch alloy wheels. There’s also a contemporary reimagining of some of the original 500’s key features, such as the vinyl dashboard, vintage logo and chrome finish on the bonnet.

Fiat will also debut the new S-Design versions of the popular hatchback, and an updated 500X, too.

Luxurious estates

INFINITI Q50

Another car making its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show is the updated INFINITI Q50, a premium sports saloon with innovative technologies and high-performance powertrains.

The Q50 will be the first INFINITI model to feature the ProPILOT Assist driver support technology, which offers autonomous driving functions such as direct adaptive steering, which helps increase manoeuvrability, active lane keeping, backup collision prevention and blind spot intervention.

Vauxhall Insignia Grand Sport

Vauxhall has a lot to live up to with its new Insignia, after the previous generation won European Car of the Year in 2009 and sold over 25,000 in the UK alone last year.

This new iteration has a more spacious interior, improved safety features such as lane keep assist and adaptive cruise control, and outstanding infotainment and connectivity systems.

There are over 60 configurations of the car, but the range-topping option features a 2.0-litre petrol powertrain producing 260PS, and an on-the-road price tag of £26,455.

Jaw-on-the-floor concepts

Vanda Electrics Dendrobium

Singapore’s first hypercar, Vanda Electrics’ Dendrobium looks like it came straight from the Batmobile design studio. It’s able to produce a staggering 1,500 horsepower and 4,000 Nm of torque with a reported top speed of 260mph. It can zoom from 0–62mph in just 2.5 seconds – that’s 0.2 seconds quicker than a modern F1 car. And the best part? It’s fully electric. This right here is the future of motoring, and we like it.

Peugeot Instinct

Peugeot is gearing up for an autonomous future with the Instinct Concept. What sets this concept car apart from other autonomous vehicles is the way it fits in around the driver.

Embracing the Internet of Things, this car can sync up with your other devices and adjust your experience accordingly. For example, it would know (via your mobile calendar) when you’re running late, so take the quickest route; it will know when you’ve finished a tough workout from your smart watch, and shift into ‘relaxation’ mode.

It’s a plug-in hybrid, with aerodynamic design and elegant features, and provides plenty to keep the industry talking.

Clare Haughey, Member of the Scottish Parliament for the Rutherglen Constituency, visited our Rutherglen Ford/Fiat branch today to mark the beginning of Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Scottish Apprenticeship Week celebrates the opportunities and benefits that Modern Apprenticeships can bring to businesses, individuals and the economy.

Clare Haughey MSP chatted to some of our apprentices and received a tour of the branch’s workshop, parts department and showroom.

Speaking of the visit, Clare said,

‘I am pleased to be visiting Arnold Clark at the start of Modern Apprenticeship Week. Arnold Clark has provided thousands of modern apprenticeships over the past ten years and are to be commended for their commitment to the development of skills in the automotive industry. I would encourage all businesses to think about how their business could benefit from taking on an apprentice.’

Arnold Clark’s apprenticeship programme offers young people the chance to earn while they learn, gaining valuable work experience and a recognised qualification.

Suzanne Sherry, Apprentice Recruitment Manager at Arnold Clark, commented:

‘Arnold Clark is a huge believer in giving young people the opportunity to develop their skills and increase their career prospects. We feel it’s important that apprentices are recognised for the work that they do and we were honoured to receive a visit from Clare Haughey MSP at our Rutherglen branch, to see first hand how well they are all doing in their training.’

Arnold Clark’s apprenticeships are split between its learning facilities at GTG Training, and on-the-job training in a branch workshop.

Ian Taylor, Group Operations Manager at GTG Training, added:

‘The apprentices continuously work hard to ensure they have the knowledge and skills that will benefit their careers and I am very proud to see them thriving in a real-life working environment.’

The quality of training that apprentices receive at GTG Training is clear to see when they get into the workshop and begin helping out at the branch. In fact, Barry Johnston, Service Manager at Rutherglen Ford/Fiat, said that the apprentices he has at the branch are ‘invaluable to the business.’

At Rutherglen Ford/Fiat, there are several apprentices at different stages of their programme working alongside fully trained technicians and master technicians.

For Kyle Campbell, who is in his first year, his main focus is bringing what he has learnt at GTG Training into the workshop and continuing to hone his skills.

Ryan Dunn, on the other hand, has almost finished his apprenticeship, and is due to qualify later this year. Speaking about his experience, Ryan praised the supportive nature of the programme, for allowing apprentices to learn together and develop their skills alongside experts in a friendly environment.

‘Everyone’s supportive,’ he said, ‘you’re not just left to go and do everything by yourself; we’re all here to help each other out. With the resources we have, you’re helped with anything you need. Just put your hand up and there’ll be someone ready to give you an answer.’

‘There are a lot of guys in here with different specialities, which is really interesting, and as this branch is a dual franchise, you learn about the two manufacturers together. It’s really inspiring – I’m looking forward to becoming fully qualified and taking this as far as I can.’

As part of a huge recruitment drive, Arnold Clark has committed to recruiting 270 new apprentices this summer. Think you’ve got what it takes to make a career in the automotive industry? Hit the button below for more information.

Emma McKeown, who works at our Digital Print Facility in Glasgow, decided to donate 11 inches of her hair to the Little Princess Trust.

The Little Princess Trust provides real hair wigs for children who have experienced hair loss, most commonly through cancer treatment, although the charity also helps children with other conditions, such as alopecia.

The charity aims to provide wigs that are as close as possible to the children’s natural hair.

The ideal hair for wigs is longer than 7 inches and of a natural colour. We bet the charity was delighted to receive Emma’s 11-inch luscious locks, which she had taken six years to grow.

We spoke with Emma about why she chose to donate her hair to the charity:

‘I really fancied a change of hairstyle and I just thought why not go all-out and do it for a good cause? I'm all for helping people so the thought of helping out little girls in need of wigs really appealed to me. It’s still taking some getting used to, though, it’s so short!’

We’d like to say a huge well done to Emma for her generosity and for supporting such a worthwhile cause.

It all adds up to a great opportunity

Arnold Clark is delighted to announce that we’ll be recruiting 28 graduate accountants in 2017. Hiring the best talent is vital to our financial operations and every year we take on graduates throughout the country to join our ACCA platinum approved training scheme – the Accounts Academy.

What to expect from the programme

Successful candidates will be based in a local Arnold Clark branch and work alongside an experienced member of our accounts team. To add to their education, our new accountants will enjoy quarterly teaching blocks at GTG Training, Arnold Clark’s leading-edge training facility, and study towards their ACCA qualification while meeting logbook objectives. With over 200 branches throughout the country, there’s also plenty of opportunity to travel.

Jill, a 2013 Accounts Academy entrant who is now a Branch Accountant overseeing two sites said: ‘It’s a very structured scheme where I learnt a lot of different skills, some specific to Arnold Clark but also management techniques and Excel skills that I could take back into the branch and use. The course really aligns itself to your career.’

An opportunity to progress

Arnold Clark is Europe’s largest independent car retailer, employing over 11,000 people and has an annual turnover in excess of £3 billion. Hard work and talent will be rewarded with promotion, with plenty of past Accounts Academy graduates now holding senior positions within the company.

Jenni Morris, who joined Arnold Clark via the Accounts Academy and is now Franchise Accountant for our Volkswagen branches, said:

‘Arnold Clark is a forward thinking company where you can get a lot of experience, and because it’s a fast-moving business, every day is slightly different.’ Have you got what it takes?

If you’re educated to a degree standard (2:1 or above) in the fields of accounting, finance, or mathematics, with a full clean driving licence, then we want to hear from you.

If you’re ready to move your career up a gear, apply today by emailing your CV to graduates@arnoldclark.com

From 17th–20th March, we’re offering you some fantastic treats when you take one of our new or delivery mileage cars for a spin.

Here’s how it works…

Step one: choose your car

Take a look at our selection of new and delivery mileage cars, and pick the one for you.

Step two: take a test drive

You can book your test drive online, or call your local branch to arrange a suitable time.

Check out our top tips for test drives to ensure you get the most out of your appointment.

Step three: choose your treat

We’ve got three treats available; which one will you go for?

• Dinner for two at Pizza Express
• An RAC dash cam
• Spa day for two

_{Only one treat per customer, offer available to retail customers only. Excludes Harry Fairbairn, Mercedes-Benz and Motorstore branches. Not in conjunction with any other offer. Pizza Express voucher to the value of £50. Offer valid at 164 spa locations across the UK, RAC 205 Forward-facing Full HD dash cam only. Test drives must be taken from 17th to 20th March 2017. Voucher code will be issued after test drive. Voucher valid from 21st March 2017 after test-drive event closes. For full terms and conditions, visit testdrivetreats.co.uk/arnoldclark}

£500 pre-paid debit card with every new Vauxhall

From 13th–21st March, you can claim a tempting £500 pre-loaded debit card* when you buy a brand new Vauxhall. It really is as simple as that.

What will you spend your £500 on?

Think what you could do with £500. You could snap up a summer sunshine break, treat yourself to an indulgent shopping spree or do up a room of your house!

It’s up to you. You can spend your £500 on anything you like.

Which Vauxhall will you take home?

With our selection of new Vauxhall models from £10,395, such as the smooth, award-winning Astra, the bold Mokka X SUV and the cool Adam, you’re certainly spoilt for choice.

_{*Available at Arnold Clark Vauxhall branches only. £500 pre-loaded debit card offer not available on VIVA, Corsa Sting, Corsa Sting R or Corsa Diamond. £500 will be supplied via pre-paid debit card and is not given in cash. Purchase only; cannot be used to withdraw cash. Refer to www.vauxhall.co.uk/offers or contact your local branch for details. Offer applies to private individuals, Vauxhall Partners and small businesses 1–24 units (purchase only). All other customers are excluded. Offer restricted to eligible selected new vehicles ordered between 13th March and 21st March 2017 and registered by 31st March 2017. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.}

You can do it!

Before we train our bodies we need to train our minds; the body achieves what the mind believes.

No matter how fit or unfit you think you are, training is essential.

There are three distance options for the Kiltwalk – 6, 13 and 26 miles (23 for Glasgow) to suit different abilities. This is the perfect opportunity to challenge yourself. If you were thinking of doing the 6, why not push to 13? And if you were thinking 13, believe you can do the 26 – what’s an extra 13 miles? If you are planning on the 26 why not do two, three or even all four walks! Whatever you choose, the sense of achievement you will feel at the end will inspire you to want to do it again.

So it’s time to get training. Let’s start releasing your endorphins and preparing your body for the challenge ahead.

Top tip - Wear your event day shoes during your training as this will avoid getting blisters. This is key if you’re buying new shoes – buy them now.

What do you need to do now:

• Build up
• Rehabilitate
• Refuel
• Rest
• Repeat

Build up

• 1–4 Weeks: 4–11 miles
• 4 – 8 Weeks: 11–14 miles
• 9 – 12 Weeks: 17–26 miles

Increase your pace each week and include hills in your training as well as off-road walking.

Rehabilitate

Rehabilitation will be a key element to your training. Most people leave this out but it should be treated as seriously as your walking training.

Some people may suffer knee soreness. Stretching the muscles surrounding the knee will reduce this.

Stretches – hold each one for at least 30 seconds.

Quads Stand on one foot, lift the other and hold against the bottom, while keeping a slight bend in the standing leg. Keep your knees together and push the hips forward, keep your head and chest up. You should feel a stretch up the front of your quads.

Calves Use a wall for this stretch. Stand away from the wall placing both hands on it shoulder-width apart. Put one foot forward and bend the knee while keeping the other leg straight. Keep both toes pointing forward. You should feel the stretch up the back of your calves.

Hamstrings Sit on the floor with one leg straight and the other bent with the foot resting on the inner thigh. Lean forward and aim to hold onto the foot. If you cannot reach the foot, get as far down the leg as you can ¬– this could be the shin or the knee. You should feel the stretch down the back of your leg.

Refuel

A healthy balanced diet will give you the fuel you need for your training. Make sure you refuel during the event to make sure you have enough energy and don’t become fatigued.

Rest

The most important thing to do is listen to your body – if you feel you have had enough, it’s time for a rest. Have at least one rest day per week.

Repeat

Get your playlist ready and do it all again.

Good luck and enjoy!

While the future may be electric, the reality for most drivers is that we’re still filling up at the pumps. Driving is expensive and it seems that fuel prices are always on the rise. However, the good news is that by changing a few habits, there are several things you can do to enjoy an efficient drive and get more miles for your money.

Remove excess weight

Are you constantly lugging about extra weight in your car? Chances are that you don’t need your winter survival kit in June and there’s really no need to have your golf clubs in the boot all the time. Have a look in your storage compartments and unload any excess items. Roof racks and boxes also add extra weight and add to the drag, although a number of roof boxes are now aerodynamically designed. Reducing the weight in your car by around 45 grams can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 2%.

Don’t treat traffic lights like a starting grid

Everyone wants to get away from the lights quickly, get up to speed and get on with the day, but hard acceleration is not efficient. Instead, drive away slowly and use your gears to get up to speed at a reasonable pace. Revving your engine just means wasting fuel and if you want to make the most of your precious petrol, that means using your accelerator in a far more conservative way.

Switch off the air conditioning

It’s commonly reported that air conditioning burns more fuel and can add extra strain to the engine. A study by Auto Express confirmed that driving with the air conditioning switched on has a big impact on your mileage. However, it also found that this is most significant at low speeds and the impact was massively reduced when driving on the motorway. The study also found that driving with the window down has an effect due to the change in aerodynamics, but this is so minimal that you might as well enjoy the cool breeze if you get to enjoy a rare sunny day.

Avoid hard braking

Braking is essentially converting all of your kinetic energy into heat. The more you have to brake, the more energy you are wasting. The best way to avoid overuse of brakes is to stay aware of your surroundings and drive at the appropriate speed. If you are coming up to a junction, don’t accelerate and then brake at the last possible moment. Instead, use your gears, slow down and anticipate any hazards.

High speed driving reduces efficiency

This perhaps goes without saying, but the faster you go, the more fuel you burn. If your priority is ensuring that you save on fuel, then you probably don’t want to go much faster than 65mph. Once you get above that speed, you’re going to need more power to overcome the added drag, and that means burning more fuel, drastically reducing your mpg.

Keep your tyres inflated

Twenty per cent of your fuel consumption is used to overcome the tyre rolling resistance. If your tyres are under-inflated, this figure will increase. This problem has been greatly reduced with the advent of tyre pressure monitors that alert drivers to any changes, but it always pays to give your tyres a regular check to ensure that they are inflated in line with your manufacturer guidelines. The correct levels are usually found on the inside of your fuel cap.

Go hybrid

If you are committed to saving on fuel and considering a new car, then a hybrid could be the answer to all of your mileage prayers. With a combination of battery-powered motor and conventional powertrain, your mileage potential will increase significantly. If you’re just using the car for short trips around the city then a fully charged battery should be everything you need. For those longer journeys, it’s great to have the back-up to ensure you always get where you want to go.

Accessorise your Sorento

Thinking of taking a trip in your caravan or motorhome to celebrate the arrival of spring? You could be doing it in style with up to £1000 of genuine Kia accessories to add a few extra bells and whistles to your Kia Sorento.

To qualify for this offer, all you have to do is become a member of the Caravan and Motorhome Club. This exclusive offer runs until 30th June 2017, so don’t miss out!

Kia accessory range

With up to £1000 worth of accessories to pick from, which will you choose? Perhaps a set of tailor-made, all-weather mats to keep your car footwell in great condition. A mudguard kit is perfect to protect your car’s under body from those muddy fields. Or maybe you’ll opt to boost your carrying capacity with a shiny aluminium roof rack. The choice is yours!

No matter which new accessories you choose, your Sorento is more than up to the task of driving you forward on your next adventure.

Kia Sorento offers

Still need to find the right Sorento for you? Check our offers on the brand new Kia Sorento range.

While the future may be electric, the reality for most drivers is that we’re still filling up at the pumps. Driving is expensive and it seems that fuel prices are always on the rise. However, the good news is that by changing a few habits, there are several things you can do to enjoy an efficient drive and get more miles for your money.

Remove excess weight

Are you constantly lugging about extra weight in your car? Chances are that you don’t need your winter survival kit in June and there’s really no need to have your golf clubs in the boot all the time. Have a look in your storage compartments and unload any excess items. Roof racks and boxes also add extra weight and add to the drag, although a number of roof boxes are now aerodynamically designed. Reducing the weight in your car by around 45 grams can improve your fuel efficiency by up to 2%.

Don’t treat traffic lights like a starting grid

Everyone wants to get away from the lights quickly, get up to speed and get on with the day, but hard acceleration is not efficient. Instead, drive away slowly and use your gears to get up to speed at a reasonable pace. Revving your engine just means wasting fuel and if you want to make the most of your precious petrol, that means using your accelerator in a far more conservative way.

Switch off the air conditioning

It’s commonly reported that air conditioning burns more fuel and can add extra strain to the engine. A study by Auto Express confirmed that driving with the air conditioning switched on has a big impact on your mileage. However, it also found that this is most significant at low speeds and the impact was massively reduced when driving on the motorway. The study also found that driving with the window down has an effect due to the change in aerodynamics, but this is so minimal that you might as well enjoy the cool breeze if you get to enjoy a rare sunny day.

Avoid hard braking

Braking is essentially converting all of your kinetic energy into heat. The more you have to brake, the more energy you are wasting. The best way to avoid overuse of brakes is to stay aware of your surroundings and drive at the appropriate speed. If you are coming up to a junction, don’t accelerate and then brake at the last possible moment. Instead, use your gears, slow down and anticipate any hazards.

High speed driving reduces efficiency

This perhaps goes without saying, but the faster you go, the more fuel you burn. If your priority is ensuring that you save on fuel, then you probably don’t want to go much faster than 65mph. Once you get above that speed, you’re going to need more power to overcome the added drag, and that means burning more fuel, drastically reducing your mpg.

Keep your tyres inflated

Twenty per cent of your fuel consumption is used to overcome the tyre rolling resistance. If your tyres are under-inflated, this figure will increase. This problem has been greatly reduced with the advent of tyre pressure monitors that alert drivers to any changes, but it always pays to give your tyres a regular check to ensure that they are inflated in line with your manufacturer guidelines. The correct levels are usually found on the inside of your fuel cap.

Go hybrid

If you are committed to saving on fuel and considering a new car, then a hybrid could be the answer to all of your mileage prayers. With a combination of battery-powered motor and conventional powertrain, your mileage potential will increase significantly. If you’re just using the car for short trips around the city then a fully charged battery should be everything you need. For those longer journeys, it’s great to have the back-up to ensure you always get where you want to go.

Toyota has been rewarding its best performing UK centres at its annual Best Retailer In Town awards, also known as the BRITs. The awards are open to all 180 retailers in the Toyota network, and this year Arnold Clark’s Glasgow Mount Vernon centre took the top prize of Used Car Retailer of the Year.

Centres are scored based on their performance across a range of business activities and it proved to be a good night for the Group, with Arnold Clark taking over the podium – with our Bishopbriggs centre in second place and Linwood finishing in third.

Mark Roden and Paul Van der Burgh (Sales Director, and President and Managing Director of Toyota (GB) respectively) presented the award to Mount Vernon General Manager Gavin Mitchell-Luker.

Gavin said:

‘It’s a great honour to be recognised by Toyota, and especially to be named Used Car Retailer of the Year. At Arnold Clark, we challenge and develop our staff in order to help them deliver the best possible customer service. This award belongs to all the staff for the great work they have done both individually and as a team.’

We’d like to congratulate all the Toyota staff for their dedication in achieving this great accolade.

If you want to experience this award-winning service for yourself, you can visit Arnold Clark Glasgow Toyota at 40 Hamilton Road, Glasgow G32 9QA.

When you’re thinking about buying your first car, it’s important to consider how much your insurance is going to cost.

Young drivers (aged 17–24) are considered to be a higher risk to insurance companies, so often premiums are much higher. This is because young drivers are inexperienced, and are statistically more likely to demonstrate over-confidence and risky driving behaviours.

In order to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible, it’s a good idea to pick a car that’s in one of the lower insurance groups.

You might also consider getting a telematics box, which monitors your driving style and speed, and passes the information back to your insurer. The advantages of this are that your insurer will provide you with feedback so that you can reduce your premiums and also increase your awareness of how to drive safely.

What are the insurance groups?

Car insurance groups are scaled from 1–50, with 50 being the most expensive group of cars to insure.

In the lower groups, you’ll usually find lower-specification models with smaller engines. There’s a whole host of other factors that contribute to a car’s insurance grouping, such as repair times, parts prices, performance, safety and security features.

Buying your first car

We know that buying your first car can be pretty confusing, so we’ve compiled a helpful guide that covers everything from finance to VED and breakdown cover, so you can make sure you’re clued up on all of the finer details of car ownership.

As part of our Kiltwalk sponsorship, we’re taking a look at some of the charities that the funds raised from the walking events will support. Today we’re focusing on SBH Scotland.

Founded in 1965, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland was created by a small group of parents, each with a child with spina bifida, to help other parents and their children. Over fifty years later, family remains at the heart of their service but they are now a nationwide charity supporting over 3,500 children, young people and adults and offering a lifetime commitment of specialist information, projects, support groups and home and hospital visits.

Both conditions are life-long, complex disabilities. Spina bifida occurs during pregnancy and is a condition where the spine does not develop properly, leaving a gap causing damage to the central nervous system. Hydrocephalus is an increased pressure on the brain due to a build up of fluid which impacts brain function.

One of the key benefits of SBH Scotland is their invaluable support, right from day one and the initial diagnosis. Demi O’Malley was just 20 weeks old when she was diagnosed with spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Demi’s conditions mean she’s paralysed below the waist and has a shunt fitted into her brain to drain excess fluid. But it is the last four years that have caused the greatest issues for her, due to the discovery of her epilepsy and complications from a previous surgery.

However, Demi’s determined not to let her conditions get in the way of living a full life – she’s all set to join her dad at our South Street Motorstore branch and undertake some work experience in April as she’s always wanted to work in an office environment. We’re looking forward to her joining the Arnold Clark team!

Our colleague Scott Howie who works within the Arnold Clark Vehicle Management team is set to raise funds for SBH Scotland. He is looking forward to completing the Wee Wander in his Mountain Trike wheelchair Arnold Clark has hired for him.

Every year SBH Scotland have to raise £1million to continue their high level of service and with little statutory funding they are reliant on donations and sponsored events from supporters, particularly the Kiltwalk.

Director of Fundraising for SBH Scotland said, ‘Every step taken for SBH Scotland in the Kiltwalk ensures a better future for all those who ask us for help. We believe that all those with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus should be given the best chance in life and thanks to those walking for us we can work to make that a reality – thank you.’

In 2016 SBH Scotland were named ‘National Charity of the Year’ at the Charity Champion awards; an accolade they are incredibly proud of.

If you would like to walk for this charity at the upcoming Kiltwalk events, SBH Scotland offering all those who walk for them 50% off registration fees and no minimum sponsorship level. For your 50% discount code and more information contact Lynsey Hamilton on 03455 211 600 or email lynsey.hamilton@sbhscotland.org.uk

Visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk for further details on the charity. Follow them on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

The Geneva International Motor Show may be finished for another year, but the automotive expo left us with plenty to ponder about the future of motoring. There was a raft of amazing concept cars on display, each moving away from our fossil-fuelled present towards a greener and more efficient future.

Hyundai FE Concept

Hyundai has been leading the way in hydrogen fuel-cell technology, and with the FE (Future Eco) they have refined their tech with a lighter and more efficient powerplant. Unlike battery-powered vehicles, there’s no range anxiety and the FE can run 497 miles before it needs to be refuelled. The interior is futuristic and features elongated touchscreen displays on both the dashboard and central console. Hyundai plan to release a production version of the FE by 2018, alongside 13 other eco-friendly cars, establishing the South Korean manufacturer as the industry leader when it comes to cleaner driving.

Volkswagen Sedric

Volkswagen’s vision of an autonomous future is one of the least conventional vehicles on show at Geneva. Sedric (SElf-DRIving Car – yes, really) looks a bit like a cable car with wheels, although if you squint really hard if could be an old VW camper van. There’s no bonnet, conventional engine or even a steering wheel. Instead, all passengers have to do is tell this computer-controlled vehicle where they want to go and it will take them using the best possible route. Passengers can enjoy a conversation as they sit facing each other, taking in the views through the glassy interior. If you’d prefer some entertainment to pass the time, you can watch the media of your choice on the semi-transparent screen.

Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e

Who says that electric cars can’t be refined? With this concept convertible, Bentley is aiming to prove that you can have luxury, economy and speed. For drive, its high performance electric powertrain has a range of more than 300 miles, and there’s also promise of fierce acceleration, thanks to the reliable torque of electric motors. As you’d expect from Bentley, the car has been expertly handcrafted, but to reflect the innovation under the hood, alternative materials have been used, with copper detailing within the cabin and hand-cut glass utilised on the central console and steering wheel.

Toyota i-TRIL

Toyota’s latest concept is a compact model with just three seats (and three wheels), envisaging a future where space is at a premium. While many concept cars are kitted out to the max, the i-TRIL is a minimalist affair, featuring recycled materials in the cabin and a single control column steering wheel. This all means it’s a light vehicle weighing in at just just 600kg. The car has autonomous driving capabilities but the driver can take control at any time. However, as there are no pedals, it may be a bit more like playing a video game than driving a car.

Renault ZOE e-sport

Renault fused together their experience with Formula E with the practicality of the ZOE to create one of the most exciting hot hatches we’ve seen in decades. This two-seater has insane acceleration and uses 640 Nm of torque to reach 60mph in an incredible 3.2 seconds, reaching a top speed of 130mph. There are two engines that employ high capacity permanent magnet technology to achieve power of 340kW; that’s the equivalent of 460bhp. With its racing lines, imposing narrow headlights, black alloys and yellow highlights, it’s gorgeous to look at, too. With the new ZOE arriving later this year, expect at least a few of these features to be incorporated.

When you’re constantly commuting, piling the kids in the back for school pick-ups and drop-offs, or taking the dog for a walk in the park, it’s easy to forget to keep your car clean and tidy.

But before somebody writes ‘Clean Me’ in the layer of grime that has built up on the paintwork, we’ve got some simple tips to help you keep it sparkling inside and out.

Wax it every so often

You might think that waxing your car is next-level maintenance, but it really is quite easy, and dare we say it – satisfying – to buff your bodywork to a showroom shine. Plus, it keeps your car looking cleaner for longer, which is always a good thing, right? Apply the wax with a foam applicator a little area at a time, let the wax sit for a few minutes and remove with a microfibre cloth. Et voila – shiny car!

The two-bucket trick

Unless you’ve been driving your car on dirt tracks or through the Sahara, a quick wash down every few weeks should keep it looking clean enough to the naked eye. Chuck a bucket of soapy water on it, and scrub it down. Then rinse off with a bucket of clean water. A good way of minimising labour is to get a child to do the ‘fun’ scrubbing part while you have a nice up of tea and a biscuit and murmur words of encouragement from a deckchair.

Take one thing away when you leave

Breaking up a big job into small manageable steps is the only way to tackle in-car mess. When you get out of the car, take some rubbish with you instead of leaving it to fester inside. You may not have tackled the true horror of what lurks within, but every little helps.

Clean your tyres

Clean tyres can hide a multitude of sins – even if the rest of the car is filthy, those gleaming black wheels make it look so much better. Get in there with a bucket of water and a tyre brush and give those alloys a wipe, too. Do this semi-regularly and your tyres will stay in better condition, and you’ll be able to keep an eye on your tyre tread depth too. For more information on tyre care, see our guide to tyres and the law.

Take care of the little things

Sometimes cars feel dirtier because of all the grime that collects in gaps and hard-to-reach areas. To deal with that easily, cover a screwdriver with a damp cloth and run it along the rubber window seals, the controls and the vents to get rid of built-up dirt. Clever, eh? It also wouldn’t hurt to give the seats a spray of upholstery cleaner, to get rid of bacteria.

Buy a bin

It’s a simple concept, isn’t it? So much easier than trying to cram your rubbish into the door and the glove compartment, and so much more hygienic than secreting apple cores under the seats and banana skins in the sun visors. Yet very few cars have a bin. Remedy this and you are well on the way to a cleaner car.

Keep safe with some strategic cleaning

Headlights covered in grime and dead flies might dim your beams when you need them most. Likewise, dirt-covered windscreen wipers can restrict your vision when you’re driving. Clean headlights with a glass cleaner and they’ll always shine bright. A good way to keep your wipers doing their job is to add a dash of household bleach to bowl of cold water, clean them with a cloth and dry them with a paper towel before replacing them back onto the windscreen.

Do the shake and vac

Would you vacuum the carpet in your house only once a year? Treat your car(pets) nicely and regularly shake out and hose your mats to get rid of dirt, mud, pet hair and disgusting sticky stuff. Then use a hand vac to banish the bits that lurk in footwells and under seats.

Going on a family road trip is really exciting; you’ll make lots of great memories and have loads of fun on the way. But with so much to consider, it can be easy to get overwhelmed. By thinking hard about what you need to bring and doing some simple car maintenance checks before you set off, you’ll be well on your way to having a calm and stress-free journey.

Preparing your car

Tyres

As a rule of thumb, you should check your tyres once a month. However, it’s advisable to check them before embarking on a longer journey, as the tyres will be put under more strain than usual.

Firstly, give your tyres a once over to check for any bulges, cuts or abrasions.

Next, it’s a good idea to check your tread depths. The legal limit is 1.6 mm, although we’d advise you to stick to around the 3 mm mark, as it increases your stopping distance in wet conditions.

You should also check your tyre pressure, as the correct pressure for your vehicle changes when your car is loaded, so it’s important to adjust it before setting off on a long journey with luggage and kids in tow.

You’ll find your vehicle’s tyre pressure on the inner side of your driver’s door, inside the fuel cap or in your driver’s manual.

You can check your tyre pressure using a specialist gauge, which can be picked up from your local Arnold Clark Service centre.

If you don’t have one to hand, a 20p coin is a handy replacement, as the outer rim measures approximately 1.6 mm – the same as the legal limit. Simply place the 20p coin in the grooves of your tyre, and if you can still see some of the outer rim of the coin, the tread depth is too low and you’ll need to replace the tyre.

Engine oil and coolant levels

To check your engine’s oil level, simply locate and remove the dipstick in your car, wipe it clean and re-insert. When you take it out again, you’ll be able to see the oil level. Check that it is somewhere in between the two markers on the dipstick. If it’s lower, you’ll need to top up your oil using the correct grade for your vehicle.

Your engine’s coolant (also known as antifreeze) level should be between the minimum and maximum marks on the side of the expansion tank. If it’s low, you’ll need to top it up. Just make sure you get the right type, as the different types available don’t mix well together.

If your vehicle is between its scheduled service periods, we’ll top up your oil and coolant for free.

Wipers

If you’re heading off on a UK road trip, unfortunately there’s a high chance you’ll encounter some rain along the way. Make sure your windscreen wipers are fully functional, and that your screenwash fluid is topped up.

Check the wipers themselves, too. Are they smearing? Have they become ripped or torn? If so, you’ll need to replace them.

There are a few different types of wiper blades available, and some are trickier to fit than others. If you’re unsure, bring your car along to your local Arnold Clark Service Centre for advice.

Lights

Although the days are getting longer, you’ll still need to make sure your lights are working before setting off on your trip. Not only do you need to make sure you’re visible when driving at night, but you could also get an on-the-spot fine if you’re caught with a broken light.

Why not get the kids involved and ask them to stand outside of the car and give you the thumbs up or thumbs down while you test your lights are working?

Other fluid levels

Keeping on top of your fluid levels reduces the risk of breakdown.

You’ve already checked your engine oil, coolant and screenwash fluid, but there are a few more important ones to check before your journey.

• Power steering fluid
• Brake fluid
• Transmission fluid

Take a look at each one and ensure the level is somewhere in-between the minimum and maximum levels marked.

Now all that’s left to do is to enjoy your holiday!

Let’s face it; a long commute repeated over a sustained period of time is a recipe for tedium. But instead of resenting the long, leg-numbing hours you spend strapped to the driving seat, you could use the time to expand your horizons.

There are podcasts on almost any topic you care to name, whether you want to learn how to fly-fish like a pro or speak Japanese with aplomb. Be gripped by the latest and best in drama writing, learn more about your idols, travel the world or discover a new recipe to add to your repertoire. Don’t just give in to boredom. Now you know about these sonic treasures, it’s no longer an option.

Serial

For: A dose of real-world drama

Unless you’ve been living under a Wi-Fi-forsaken rock for the past three years, it’s likely you’ll have at least have heard murmurings about Serial. Every season, host Sarah Koenig prises open an enthralling true story. The first series centres on the case of Adnan Syed, a man convicted of murder who has always insisted on his innocence. It’s nothing short of compelling to follow his case as the details are carefully and objectively teased apart, witness-by-witness, fact-by-fact and chapter-by-chapter. In fact, it’s so addictive you’ll soon be planning your routes around traffic jams.

Desert Island Discs

For: Music (and people) fans

Since it first aired on 29th January 1942, Desert Island Discs has been enchanting listeners with its simple but incisive interview format. Every week, a famous guest is asked to choose the eight music tracks they’d choose to take with them if they found themselves washed ashore a desert island. To date, the formidable roster of castaways has included Alfred Hitchcock, Liberace, Goldie Hawn, Tony Bennett, and Zadie Smith. Because if you must spend rush hour marooned in a sea of metal, you might as well be in good company.

The Blacklist Table Reads

For: Moviegoers going nowhere fast

If you love cinema but spend more time staring desperately through your rain-streaked windscreen at exhaust fumes, you should supplement your filmic intake with some ear movies. The Black List Table Reads takes a selection of the best screenplays that have never been made… and turns them into feature length-audio films. A rotating cast of talented thesps bring them to life – covering genres from sci-fi to period drama to comedy. Just add popcorn.

The Splendid Table

For: Foodies

Roadside pitstops aren’t exactly known for their gourmet gastronomy, so while you’re gnawing at a three-day old chocolate twist, be transported to a superior culinary experience (if only in your mind) at The Splendid Table. Every week the hosts serve up mouth-watering discussions with famous foodies like Nigella Lawson, explore exotic cuisine and tuck into the tasty trends that are whetting appetites across the globe. Just make sure you’ve eaten first, or you’ll end up getting drool on the steering wheel.

Freakonomics

For: Number crunchers

Fancy a little roadside navel gazing? Freakonomics wrangles with the strange questions that define human existence – like how competitive eating works, why we have strange dreams when we eat cheese and whether expensive wine really does taste better. Host Stephen Dubner invites comment from social entrepreneurs, economists and psychologists to help, so you’ll arrive at your destination with all the answers (and a few solid lunchtime debate topics).

The Football Ramble

For: Fans of the beautiful game

Can’t make it home before the match? Tune into The Football Ramble for an entertaining round up of all the latest fixtures, plus any notable or bizarre goings-on on the world’s pitches. There’s even a bitesize preview show – perfect for topping up the sport-themed chat on shorter journeys.