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The latest names revealed for ARC360’s Back to the Future event on 25 November at the British Motor Museum:
• Claire Hart, National Sales Manager, Entegral
• James Gatti, Director of Account Management, Innovation Group
• Neil Joslin, Chief Operating Officer, e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management
• Byron McGill, Change, Innovation and Technology Lead, Supply Chain, UKGI Claims, Aviva
To view the full agenda and book your ticket click here
Revised repair standard up for consultation
A public consultation has been launched after the first major update to the automotive repair standard, BS 10125, since it was launched in 2014. The revised version provide clarifications around ADAS and electric vehicles, and removes the ability for repairers to develop its own in-house methodology.
In the revised draft sub-contractors must also comply with the new standards. The consultation period ends on 14 January.
NBRA to call out uncooperative insurers
The NBRA has said the automotive repair sector is at breaking point and cannot ensure the safety of its technicians and customers without immediate support from insurers, accident management companies and fleet operators. It will now ask leaders in each sector to form a working party to consider how best they can help bodyshops, and will then publish the names of those who accept or decline the invitation.
It says the post Covid-crisis is a result of industry-specific and general factors such as parts supply, inflation, and delays in repair authorisation.
The NBRA said, “When will this market stop operating in a short-sighted tactical way and begin to work together with the customers’ interests being the real priority?”
CAPS celebrates global security approval
The Common Automotive Platform Standard (CAPS) has achieved a globally-recognised standard for data security after passing the Type 1 Service Organisation Control (SOC2) security examination.
SOC2 is a rigorous assessment of security policies and procedures, ensuring all accredited organisations follow strict international protocols encompassing the security, availability, processing, integrity, and confidentiality of customer data.
Plug-in popularity continues to surge
Trend Tracker is predicting that more plug-ins will being sold this year than during all of the last decade. It’s latest Market Snapshot, produced with the support of Solera Audatex, cap hpi and the SMMT, says sales are soaring despite continued disruption to the supply chain.
The Market Snapshot also found that a shortage of parts and more large jobs entering workshops has contributed to a rise in average repair costs to £2,265.
Fix Auto UK expands in the Midlands
Fix Auto UK has expanded its network in the West Midlands with Autobody Care becoming the latest new franchisee. The 15,000 sqft site will now operate as Fix Auto Great Bridge, and has announced plans to double the workforce to 16 to support a capacity to increase to about 30 vehicles a week.
Fix Auto Great Bridge joins existing Fix Auto UK sites in the region, Fix Auto Birmingham North, Fix Auto Birmingham East, Fix Auto Kings Norton, Fix Auto Walsall, Fix Auto Wednesbury, Fix Auto Oldbury and Fix Auto Moseley.
AW Repair welcomes new apprentices
AW Repair Group has secured 15 new apprentices following its industry showcase event earlier this week. The group selected 40 individuals to visit its Lincoln site from more than 200 applications, after which 15 were invited to join its apprenticeship programme.
Steve Hoe, AW’s Technical Development Executive and vice chairman of British Repair Industry Trail Blazer, said: “Our next cohort will be split to attend either Thatcham and follow the MET Apprenticeship route or Emtec college to follow the Multi Skilled Accident Repair Technician Apprenticeship route.”
Hilton Coachworks continues success storey
The largest manufacturer-approved repair facility in the UK is getting bigger, with Hilton Coachworks continuing development on its new, two-storey repair site.
The state-of-the-art development in Bishop’s Stortford, Hertfordshire will be 75,000 sqft, with the top floor providing a climate-controlled and secure location to store customer vehicles.
Kudo secures AA package deal
Motor insurer Kudo has signed an agreement with The AA to include annual breakdown cover as part of the package when customer buy motor insurance through the app. Customers who choose to add breakdown cover to their policy will also receive roadside assistance, home start and national recovery from The AA.
Andy Webb, chief operating officer at Kudo, said, “We’re really excited to be working with The AA to provide our customers with award-winning breakdown cover, bringing them full peace-of-mind while behind the wheel.”
Green party for Vella Group
The Vella Group has secured the LV=General Insurance Green Heart Standard, becoming only the second bodyshop group in the UK after AW Repair to achieve the standard. Green Heart measures companies across six key sustainability standards, from the use of green parts in repair to achieving PAS2060 certification and diversity in the workplace.
The Vella Group operates 11 repair sites across the UK and remains a family-owned organisation.
Blowers secures European role
Phill Blowers has been appointed European Sales Manager of Indasa Abrasives. He has been part of the Indasa Group for the past 12 years.
He said, “I look forward to integrating into the export team and working with our key partners in the very near future.”
Rivian leapfrogs GM and Ford after IPO
Rivian Automotive has become the second most valuable US car manufacturer after achieving the world’s largest initial public offering this year. The Amazon-backed electric vehicle maker was valued at more than $100bn after making its Nasdaq debut on Wednesday, with shares surging more than 50% on day one.
That takes it above both General Motors ($86bn) and Ford ($77bn), behind only Tesla ($1.06tn) in value.
EV skills gap to bite by 2026
The Institute of the Motor Industry has warned that the automotive industry will be 37,500 electric vehicle technicians short by 2030. Its analysis finds that the sector will need 90,000 EV-trained technicians by the time the UK ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is introduced.
However, at the current rate of upskilling combined with the surge in EV sales, the IMI suggest the skills gap will materialise in 2026.
