Bodyshop News
- KC Autos has unveiled a new state-of-the-art facility in Bredbury, Stockport, featuring advanced equipment such as scissor lift ramps, the latest Hunter Wheel alignment system, and cutting-edge USI Italia Chronotech booths.
- Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres has strengthened its middle management team with the appointment of Max Dickson as Operations Manager and Diana Sics as Accounts Manager.
- Kris Hurd has been appointed as FMG Repair Services’ Operations Director (Bodyshops). He will oversee operations across the group’s 65 bodyshops, driving growth and customer-focused excellence.
- Vehicle Bodycare Centre has unveiled its renovated front of house, featuring a first-floor setup with a manager’s office, accounts office, boardroom, open-plan desk pods, and a dedicated kitchen area, as well as upgraded workshop amenities.
- Chesterfield Car Clinic has appointed Nicola Lodge as Bodyshop Administrator.
- Page Automotive Group has appointed Declan McCluskey as Managing Director.
VM News
Nissan has ‘12 to 14 Months’ left
A new report suggests that the automaker’s days are numbered. In an interview with the Financial Times, two unnamed Nissan executives said the company has “12 to 14 months to survive.” Full story
Volkswagen Group and SAIC strengthen long-standing partnership
The Volkswagen Group is strengthening its successful 40-year partnership with SAIC Motor for the long term. In Shanghai, both companies signed an extension of their joint venture agreement until the year 2040. Full story
Vauxhall owner to close Luton factory
The owner of Vauxhall has announced plans to close its van-making factory in Luton, putting about 1,100 jobs at risk. Stellantis, which also owns brands including Citroen, Peugeot and Fiat, said it would combine its electric van production at its other UK plant in Ellesmere Port in Cheshire. Full story
Lotus dealers to get hybrids as carmaker drops EV exclusive strategy
Lotus dealerships will begin selling ‘hyper hybrid’ versions of its luxury cars as the carmaker shifts from its exclusively electric vehicle strategy due to consumer reticence. It is the latest in a number of brands which had set out to be at the forefront of the zero emissions vehicle market, in line with governmental policies, but which has now reacted to the slower than expected adoption of EVs globally. Full story
Ford calls for incentives to buy electric cars as backlash grows
Ford UK has called on the government to introduce incentives to encourage drivers to buy electric vehicles (EVs) as an industry backlash grows over sales targets. Lisa Brankin, Ford UK’s chair and managing director, told the BBC that without demand, a government mandate to produce and sell more EVs “just doesn’t work.” Full story
Improved automated parking
Mercedes-Benz has further improved the Active Parking Assist with PARKTRONIC. With 4kmph, the system now parks twice as fast as before. Full story
Industry News
Alarm bells ringing as EV transition hits auto industry
The UK automotive industry has called for urgent government intervention to safeguard the sector and Britain’s zero emission vehicle transition. The call comes as new analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals that weak demand for EVs and the need to fulfil ever-rising sales quotas will cost the industry some £6bn in 2024, and even more next year. Full story
Confirmed: Government set to rework EV mandate
Changes are set to be made to the UK’s zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) mandate, the government has confirmed, following a backlash from car makers over the rules. The government will now consult with car makers to find “options for a better way forward”. Full story
Government consultation on ZEV mandate: IMI response
Azlina Bulmer, Managing Director, IMI, said, “Representing the interests of our 100,000+ members, we aim to make clear in our response to the consultation that businesses and individuals need the certainty and support to invest in the critical skills required to support an ever-growing electric vehicle parc and to give motorists the confidence to make the switch.” Full story
Car output slips in October as UK and EU markets stall
UK car manufacturing output fell 15.3% in October, the eighth consecutive month of decline, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 77,484 units left factory gates, 14,037 fewer than in the same month last year, with plants continuing their retooling to enable production of the next generation of zero emission vehicles. Full story
New and used car market to grow, but acquiring new-to-brand customers critical for 2025 new car success
According to Auto Trader analysis, the new car market is predicted to remain just under the two million car level next year, rising two per cent in 2025 from an estimated 1.94 million registrations to circa 1.98 million. Full story
For advanced metal replacement: bridging the gap between PA66 and PPA with Ultramid T7000
For advanced metal replacement in structural parts, BASF is now offering a portfolio of polyamide (PA) and polyphthalamide (PPA) blends with better, more constant mechanical properties than PA66. Ultramid T7000 outperforms PA66 regarding stiffness and strength in dry state and especially in presence of humidity. Full story
2024 IMI Skills Competitions winners announced
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced the winners of its 2024 IMI Skills Competitions. Following a year-long application and assessment process, winners were announced across four categories: Light Vehicle Technology, Body Repair, Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle. Full story
Apprenticeship Central highlights positive trends
Apprenticeship Central has highlighted three positive trends of apprenticeships in the past 12 months. It found that almost a half of school leavers are now considering the apprenticeship route, with 46% of regarding it as a viable option for further education. Full story
AkzoNobel installs hydrogen-powered spraybooth at new automotive training centre
One of the automotive industry’s first hydrogen-powered spraybooths has been installed by AkzoNobel at a new training centre in Belgium. Designed to go beyond local and legislative requirements, the new spray booth highlights how embracing the latest technologies can contribute to more sustainable operations. Full story
TTC launches new EV eLearning courses
TTC Group has designed and launched two new eLearning modules to bring easily accessible and cost-effective help to businesses making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs). The trusted training and compliance expert has designed a module for drivers new to electric driving, and a second, shorter module, to support existing EV drivers. Full story
Ben launches new Health and Wellbeing survey
Automotive charity Ben has launched its annual Health & Wellbeing survey. The charity wants to hear what health and wellbeing issues have affected automotive people and their families over the past year and what they think their challenges might be in the future. The survey is confidential, takes under 10 minutes. Full story
Farvima deploys Solera’s RNA solution to reduce emissions and improve delivery
Solera has announced that Italian pharmaceutical Farvima has deployed its Roadnet Anywhere to drive the efficiency of its logistics operations. Farvima has opted for a full-suite solution that includes a strategic planner, routing, dispatch, mobile manager for the driver, and analytics. Full story
All Clear Diagnostics and Calibration joins SMMT
All Clear Diagnostics and Calibration has been approved as a member of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Full story
Manufacturers Cause Vehicle Thefts…
The press explains the ease with which vehicles can be taken, vehicle manufacturers are being ´named & shamed´, keyless tech is to blame, and car-makers are urged to ‘sort out their failures’. Think again. Full story
People
- Tonny van de Wiel and Henk Berkhof have launched Body Repair Solutions Europe to support businesses future-proof and manage repair programmes.
- Kylie Wilson has joined TTC as Public Sector Director In 2024.
- ACG has expanded its Corporate Account Management team with the appointment of Dee Padfield.
