SYNETIQ celebrates dismantling skills certification

SYNETIQ has become the first UK vehicle recycler to complete an Institute of Motor Industry-accredited course in EV dismantling.

The course is the country’s first dismantling-specific training based on national occupational standards and teaches delegates how to make high voltage vehicles safe and how to remove high voltage components and batteries after the vehicle has been made safe.

Natalie Buckley, HR Director at SYNETIQ, an IAA company, said, “We continue to invest in our colleagues and help to ensure they are equipped with the latest tools, skills and knowledge to be safe in their roles and to deliver the very best result for our clients and customers.

“Despite the government’s decision to postpone the ban of petrol and diesel vehicles, we’re continuing to plan for a future where electric vehicles will be the norm. I’m proud that we are working with some of the industry’s most accomplished experts in leading the way in battery recycling.”

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Nissan supercharges EV shift

Nissan is pressing ahead with a €40m investment at two sites that are supporting its ambition of selling only all-electric vehicles in Europe by 2030.

Today EVs represent 16% of Nissan’s total sales in Europe.

The latest investment will support the upgrade of facilities at its London-based Nissan Design Europe (NDE) as well as the nearby Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE), which is focused on autonomous driving through its latest study, evolvAD.

The company plans to introduce 27 new electric vehicles by 2030, with two new models already confirmed for Europe, and is also introducing cobalt-free technology to bring down the cost of EV batteries by 65% by 2028, while its proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSB) will reduce charging times by a third by 2028.

Guillaume Cartier, Nissan Chairperson for the AMIEO region, said, “With breakthroughs in battery technology, electric vehicles will become even more accessible, and Nissan will continue to champion EV as the best way to provide cleaner, simpler and more affordable mobility.”

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IMI warns of training downshift

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI)has warned that the government’s decision to delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 could have a negative impact on skills training.

Steve Nash, IMI CEO, believes there is a now a serious risk that automotive aftermarket services will not be ready to handle EVs safely in the future as a result of a stalling of investment in skills and infrastructure.

He said, “The mixed messages employers and individuals who work in automotive are receiving can only serve to stultify the commitment to training that is fundamental to safe roads and sustained economic stability. If automotive employers and their workforce can’t see the immediate return on investment of EV training because of lack of consumer buying confidence, the already critical skills gap will only widen and we could find the wait times for repairs extending even further than they are already. That can’t be good news for the UK economy and social mobility.

“The fact of the matter is that the automotive aftermarket must stay focused on upskilling for EVs; it also needs to maintain continuous professional development for ICE vehicles. The franchised sector probably has the greatest motivation to keep their foot on the pedal on both technologies. However, when it comes to independent garages there will, understandably, be considerable nervousness to commit training to a drivetrain that could easily be 10 years down the road before it comes through their doors. 

“It’s imperative, therefore, that having made this monumental decision to u-turn on the 2030 target, the government thinks very carefully about how it ensures UK infrastructure remains effectively supported by the automotive aftermarket.”

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Government u-turn on EVs cools consumer demand

A new survey by Auto Trader has revealed that 37% of respondents said they are unlikely to ever buy an electric vehicle.

This is up from 21% when the survey was last conducted in 2021.

Meanwhile, only 39% of respondents said they would buy an EV by 2035, down from 49% in 2021.

This comes after the government announced the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles would be delayed from 2030 to 2035.

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director of Auto Trader, said,The government’s u-turn has clearly muddled the message on electric vehicles and this confusion has led to a doubling of the number of people saying they’ll never buy an electric car.

“Advert views for new and used electric cars remain stable on Auto Trader, showing that those in the market haven’t been deterred. Yet these survey results show that in the long term, mass electric adoption has been made a trickier task.

“The truth is, with the Zero Emission Vehicle mandate still in place, very little will actually change in the wake of the delayed ban and so the only real impact will be dented consumer confidence in electric cars, as demonstrated by our survey results.”

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Mazda names new Sale Director

Laura Brailey has been promoted to the role of Mazda Sales Director UK, replacing Peter Allibon, who is moving to Director, Sales and Dealer Network, Europe.

Laura has been with Mazda since 1995 and steps up from her role as Head of Retail Operations.

Jeremy Thomson, Mazda UK Managing Director, said: “I am delighted to promote Laura to sales director, she has worked alongside Peter for many years in one of the toughest roles in our business delivering retail sales performance month after month, building customer loyalty and renewals strategy and managing the network relationship which performs strongly in independent surveys. Her 28 years’ experience and familiarity with Mazda UK and our dealer partners is a huge asset to the business-critical role of sales director and I look forward to both the stability and the fresh thinking Laura will bring to our sales and dealer operation teams.”

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eBay unveils parts guarantee solution

eBay has introduced a new ‘Assured Fit’ guarantee to help the industry find the right part for their repair.

Users simply enter their vehicle information using eBay’s newly-enhanced MyGarage function, which will automatically select the part of accessory suited to that make and model.

The service, which comes with a money-back guarantee, is part of eBay’s ‘Built Different’ campaign, which encourages repair rather than replace to support sustainability.

Laura Richards, Category Lead, Vehicle Parts and Accessories at eBay UK, said: “We understand the frustration and uncertainty that can come with purchasing vehicle parts online, and we’re committed to making it as painless as possible for our customers. With the eBay Assured Fit initiative, we’re promising elevated assurance for buyers that parts are the right fit for them. We’re also providing peace of mind, so customers can shop confidently knowing there is a simple and free returns process in place if the part they buy isn’t quite right.”

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Fix Auto UK marks mental health milestone

Fix Auto UK has marked a significant wellbeing milestone after its 100th colleague completed their Mental Health First Aid England course.

The training was introduced 18 months ago with the aim of ensuring every franchise partner in the network has at least two qualified Mental Health First Aiders on site.

The two-day course is overseen by Carl Norton, Fix Auto UK’s Regional Business Manager, who  became a qualified Mental Health First Aider trainer to coincide with the launch of the scheme.

He said, “To have 100 successfully qualified Mental Health First Aiders in less than 18 months is beyond all my expectations when we started this journey to ensure everyone within the network has access to support. But this really is just the start. The course is gaining momentum with our franchise partners and will only accelerate.”

Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director Ian Pugh, added, “This is not just about duty of care. It runs far deeper. It is often said being part of Fix Auto UK is being part of a family and family members look out for each other and that is exactly what we’re doing.”

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ARC360 News – Friday, 22 September 2023

ARC360 supports Work Wellfest event

ARC360 and ILC have joined forces with Corporate Partners Entegral and Gemini Accident Repair Group to launch Work WellFest across the vehicle accident repair and motor claims sectors.

The virtual wellbeing festival has been created to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10 October 2023 and will feature a cross-section of virtual events designed to meet the needs of all colleagues and industry peers.

To register for the sessions, visit: https://www.iloveclaims.com/claims_tech/arc360-ilc-support-work-wellfest-event/

Event set for panoramic view of motor sector

Claims inflation, credit hire, technology, skillsets and key industry innovators will be at the heart of ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference (EMCC) 2023.

Taking place at Landing Forty-Two, London on 5 October, the Exclusive Motor Claims Conference, headline sponsored by Enterprise along with sponsors Clearspeed, EDAM Group, LexisNexis Risk Solutions and Wiser Academy, will see experts from key insurers, insurtech, and supply chain specialists delve into the current workings of the sector and share their respective insights on how the market is evolving.

EV adoption facing critical challenges

The UK is ranked fifth in terms of global markets best prepared for electric vehicles. According to EY’s latest EV Country Readiness Index, it is behind China, Norway, the US and Sweden.

It fell from seventh to eighth in terms of supply and third to fourth in regulation issues.

New report exposes OIC failures

The Justice Committee has raised concerns about the number of unresolved cases still in the Official Injury Claim portal, and called on the Ministry of Justice and Motor Insurance Bureau to investigate the backlog.

In a new report, it has revealed that 349,000 cases are still unresolved, with just over a quarter of all claims entered into the system since it launched in May 2021 having so far reached settlement.

UK government confirms delay to 2030 ICE ban

The UK government has confirmed that the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles will be put back until 2035. This brings it in line with the rest of the European Union.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said, “We’ve got further to go to get the charging infrastructure in place. So to give us more time to prepare we’re going to ease the transition to electric vehicles. You’ll still be able to buy a combustion engine vehicle until 2035.”

NBRA: 2030 delay could cost repairers

The National Body Repair Association is calling on the government to offer subsidies to repairers which have already invested in preparations for the 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced the deadline was being put back five years.

The NBRA believes this delay will place extra strain on businesses which committed early to 2030, as they won’t now get a return on investment for another five years.

Private drivers key to EV uptake

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that the continued adoption of electric vehicles depends on greater support for private drivers.

A new EV is registered every 60 seconds, however, these numbers are driven by fleets, with private drivers stalling due to higher costs and concerns over charging availability.

ARC360 Market Intelligence: August 2023

ARC360 have released their analytics report, studying the trends of economics and vehicle repairs and sales. A must-read.

WorldSkills UK unveils 2024 programme

WorldSkillsUK has announced its training and skills programme for 2024, with 47 competitions taking place to identify the most talented apprentices and young professionals in the UK.

It has also launched a new leaning space, the WorldSkills UK Learning Lab, featuring e-learning information and skill development tools.

IMI sponsors Automotive 30% Club

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has become the key sponsor of the Automotive 30% Club, which aims to ensure at least 30% of leadership roles within the sector are held by women by 2030.

As part of the sponsorship, the winner of the 2024 Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year Award will be unveiled at the IMI’s Annual Dinner next March.

Motor claims inflation on upwards trajectory

Gallagher has revealed that motor claims inflation is still increasing, driven by delays in getting replacement parts, higher wage costs, and a lack of courtesy cars.

IMI warns of EV skills slowdown

The IMI has warned that the government’s decision to postpone the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles until 2035 could result in the industry cutting back on critical EV preparations.

CEO Steve Nash said, “There’s now a serious risk that businesses and individuals will take their foot off the pedal. It is absolutely crucial that the shift to 2035 is not seen as a ‘free pass’ to delay investment in infrastructure and training.”

Repairify unveils new wiring solution

Repairify has identified an increasing industry challenge around the wiring of reversing cameras, which are often damaged during repairs.

It has now developed an innovative solution that enables technicians, based on diagnostic data from asTech, to create custom replacement cables rather than replace the entire cabling loom.

Thatcham Research backs 2030 delay

Thatcham Research has welcomed the government’s decision to put back the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030 to 2035.

It has restated its commitment to supporting the industry’s transition to electrification, but says the extension emphasises the need for continued investment in ICE repair skills.

BMW launches next level of assisted driving

BMW has unveiled an L2+ assisted driving system.

The BMWi5 features the innovative Driving Assistant Plus system, which offers hands-free highway driving and automated lane changing, with a sophisticated driver monitoring system to ensure the driver is always attentive.

Fix Auto UK marks mental health milestone

Fix Auto UK has celebrated a wellbeing milestone this week after training its 100th Mental Health First Aider.

The landmark was achieved at its head office and comes just 18 months after the network launched the initiative.

L&I Eaton ARC expansion continues

L&I Eaton ARC has unveiled its 14th site, a 20,000 sqft facility based in Liverpool. The group plans to unveil further sites in Newcastle and Sheffield shortly.

ABL 1 Touch Group launches management development training

ABL 1 Touch Group has enhanced its continuous learning strategy with the launch of a six-month Management Development Programme.

Through a combination of best practice research and theory training, managers will develop an advanced toolkit to help them better support colleagues.

Parkway celebrates charity triumph

Parkway Prestige has raised £310.50 for the Macmillan charity through a coffee morning.

ITAS supports JLR global training programme

ITAS has supported the JLR Global Train the Trainer (GT3) Structural Repair Sessions.

The sessions are designed to standardise the delivery of the steel and aluminium training/assessments throughout JLR’s global network of panel Trainers.

Bangers4Ben charity opportunities

Thatcham Research is appealing for sponsors to support its Bangers4Ben charity entry.

The four-day, 1,500-mile journey around Ireland starts on 7 October and will raise valuable funds for automotive charity Ben.

People

Phil Wong has been named Regional Manager at Halo ARC.

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ARC360 Market Intelligence: August 2023

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Private drivers key to EV uptake

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has warned that the continued adoption of electric vehicles depends on greater support for private drivers.

A new EV is registered every 60 seconds, meaning they now account for more than 16% of overall sales.

However, these numbers are driven by fleets, with private drivers stalling due to higher costs and concerns over charging availability.

The SMMT suggests that reducing VAT on EV purchases would mirror existing discounts on other environmental products such as solar panels and heat pumps while raising the threshold for the Vehicle Excise Duty ‘expensive car supplement’ from its 2017 level – or exempting EVs altogether – would also help.

It has also called for mandated targets around chargepoint rollout.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “We are entering a new phase in the UK’s EV transition, in which Britain can, and should, be a leader. We have the industry, the love of new technology and the scale to succeed. Government has recently demonstrated its commitment to EV manufacturing in the UK and that commitment must be extended to the consumer. With a new – and still to be finalised – Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate due to revolutionise the market in just over 100 days, supply must be matched by demand. A comprehensive package of measures would encourage households across the UK to go electric now, boosting an industry slowly recovering from the pandemic and delivering benefits for the Exchequer, society and the global environment.”

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