Month: October 2023

ARC360 and ILC support 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.

Gemini to summit Snowdon for Ben

Thirty colleagues from Gemini Accident Repair Centres will summit Mount Snowdon to raise funds for automotive charity Ben.

With more than £1,600 already raised, they will take on the challenge on 14 October.

Ben announces Race Across Britain

Automotive charity Ben has announced a new fundraising challenge – Race Across Britain – which will take place over three days next February.

Supported by LKQ Euro Car Parts, Race Across Britain will see up to 50 pairs of automotive industry colleagues challenged to reach various checkpoints from 26-28 February.

New car sales surge 21%

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that the UK new car market grew for the 14^th month in a row in September, up 21% to 272,610 registrations.

Meanwhile, the new light commercial vehicle market grew for the ninth month in a row, up 28.1% to 44,760 units.

Fix Auto Chelmsford unveils new site

Fix Auto Chelmsford has moved to a new state-of-the-art repair centre a full month ahead of schedule.

The new facility is expected to increase capacity by 25% to nearly 150 jobs per month.

Perfect 10 for Komoo

Komoo has unveiled its 10th site. Komoo Sheffield is a 10,000 sqft facility dedicated to supporting fleet and rental customers for both car and commercial repair.

IMI supports AR development

The IMI has donated assisted reality headsets to 18 colleges and training providers nationwide. 

The initiative has been launched in collaboration with Autotech Connect and RealWear.

Trend Tracker announces Chartwell as Corporate Partner

Trend Tracker has announced that the UK’s number one super-brand bodyshop, Chartwell, as a Platinum Corporate Partner.

IMI calls for further training support

The IMI has welcomed the government’s ‘Plan for Drivers’, which aims to ease some of the pressure points on motorists, but has urged the government to back it up with support for repair training to ensure the industry has the skills to keep cars on the road.

IAEA adopts hybrid supply chain

The Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors (IAEA) has announced it is undergoing significant operational changes that will see it end its long partnership with Plenham and develop a hybrid supply chain model that will tap into the resources of multiple provider partners.

It has engaged with a number of industry organisations and providers as it seeks to modernise operations and underpin its commitment to be compliant and transparent with all governing and legislative bodies.

John Lewis withdraws EV insurance

John Lewis Financial Services is suspending new insurance coverage and renewals for electric car owners. Underwritten by Covea, the policies are being withdrawn due to spiralling repair costs.

MotorEasy reports 370% rise EV warranties

MotorEasy has reported a 370% increase in warranty claims for electric vehicles over the past three years.

UK government announces ZEV mandate revisions

The UK government has revised targets of its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles each year.

Revised targets stipulate that 22% of new cars sold in 2024 must be zero emission, as was previously the case. This will increase each year and by 2030 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans must be zero emission. This will rise to 100% by 2035.

Used car prices soften

Data from cap hpi has revealed that used car values fell by their largest amount since 2008 in September. Values fell by 1.9%, an average of £420, at the three-year, 60,000-mile point, while values at the one-year age point dropped by 1.6%, or £575.

However, used car prices remain at an unprecedented level despite these modest falls, tracking at some 25-30% more than in 2021.

CHO partners with Percayso in anti-fraud measures

Percayso Inform is developing a new anti-fraud platform for members of the Credit Hire Organisation (CHO).

The platform, which will be officially launched at the CHO’s annual conference on 12 October, will enable subscribers to screen claims in order to manage and identify fraudulent activity.

Fixico and Xtract announce digital partnership

Digital FNOL provider Xtract is partnering with digital car repair management platform Fixico to deliver a fully integrated solution for insurance companies and commercial fleets looking to combine telematics-based incident and repair management.

Markerstudy Broking and RAC enhance SME insurance offering

Markerstudy Broking has partnered with the RAC to offer a suite of SME insurance products to customers.

RAC Business Insurance enables customers to manage their insurance needs in one place.

AI solution driving up fraud detection

A new AI-powered counter fraud solution from the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) has resulted in a six-fold increase in fraud investigations carried out by insurers since it was launched a year ago.

About 40 insurance fraud networks are being detected every week.

People

Steve Thompson will step down from his position as AutoRaise Vice Chairman after five successful years championing the accident repair industry charity.

Simon Allen has been appointed as Bodyshop Manager at Steer Automotive Group.

L&I Eaton ARC has named Tony Robson as Bodyshop Manager.

The Vella Group Repair Centres has appointed Jonny Haynes as Senior Business Analyst.

Chris Telford has been named Senior Staff Motor Engineer at Quantum Technical.

KECO Body Repair Products has named Jennifer Phillips as Training Development Manager.

Annie Milner has been appointed Head of Technical Excellence at Belron.

Hastings Direct has named Nadim Ahmed as Motor Engineer.

Claire Nesbit has been appointed as Claims supplier specialist at esure Group.

Cogent Hire has appointed Luke Le Sauteur to the new role of commercial director.

Admiral Group has named Fiona Muldoon as an Independent Non-Executive Director.