Panel set to discuss future claims skills needs
A panel of experts from across the sector will discuss the future skill needs within claims at the forthcoming New Generation in Claims event.
The event, which takes place on 26 April at etc.venues Manchester, is headline sponsored by Wiser Academy along with fellow sponsors Carpenters Group, Enterprise and Zurich Insurance, and is set to shine a light on the need for both retaining talent and attracting new, diverse skillsets to the insurance claims sector.
Ford brings hands-free driving to UK
Hands-free driving is now legal on UK motorways after Ford received regulatory approval from the Department for Transport to launch its ‘BlueCruise’ assisted driving system.
BlueCruise controls steering, acceleration, braking and lane positioning, although the driver must still keep their eyes on the road.
Thatcham Research vehicle technology specialist Tom Leggett said, “The driver is still wholly responsible for safety.”
Komoo setting the standard
Fleet and rental hire repair specialist Komoo has announced that itssites in Middlesbrough and Doncaster have now achieved the prestigious BS10125 BSi Kitemark for Vehicle Body Repair.
Lucky number 13 for Eaton ARC
Eaton ARC has opened its 13th site, a state-of-the-art, 20,000sqft facility in Aberdeen.
The group expects to announce further sites later this year.
Enterprise unveils second Basingstoke site
Enterprise Rent-a-Car has cut the ribbon on its second rental location in Basingstoke.
Autocraft Telford secures new repair standard
Autocraft Telford has achievedBS10125: 2022 certification just four days after the new vehicle repair standard was finalised.
It becomes the first bodyshop in the UK to secure certification.
Blended VDA course now available
Thatcham Research has announced that its new blended IMI VDA reaccreditation course is now available.
The hybrid training pathway offers technicians access to Thatcham Research’s training academy and its e-learning platform, offering flexibility, convenience and lower costs.
AXA and Brake form new insights partnership
AXA UK and road safety charity Brake will collaborate to produce a series of reports on sustainable and safe driving behaviours.
Research topics will include the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on road safety, and driver opinions on self-driving vehicles.
Time to take action on distraction
New research from Entegral has revealed that 70% of motorists believe distracted driving is worse now than it was a few years ago, with the Travelers 2023 Risk Index on Distracted Driving suggesting that drivers were up to 30% more distracted in February 2022 compared to the same month in 2020.
LKQ Europe expands LeasePlan agreement
Parts distributor LKQ Europe has extended its supply and service partnership with LeasePlan to cover all of Europe.
The multi-year agreement includes the full management and maintenance of LeasePlan’s fleet in LKQ-affiliated repair centres as well as the supply of spare parts to LeasePlan partner garages throughout Europe.
Skillnet celebrates Tesla training partnership
Skillnet has announced a new partnership with Tesla to deliver bespoke Body Repair Apprenticeship programmes.
The training will help to future-proof Tesla bodyshops by ensuring a steady stream of skilled technicians.
Prices fall as EV demand wanes
The latest monthly car report produced by Solera in partnership with cap hpi has revealed a seventh consecutive month of falling electric vehicle prices, which it attributes to reduced demand.
It found that average EV prices fell 5.4% last month, after decreases of 7.5% and 6.6% in the previous two months.
Detailed data giving NFU Mutual the edge
NFU Mutual is cooperating with Percayso Vehicle Intelligence to improve its claims journey and develop a better understanding of its book.
By tracking each vehicle’s specific history, Percayso Vehicle Intelligence is able to provide images of the vehicle, car history, including modifications and damage, and MOT results.
AX earns customer trust
AX Automotive has two reasons to celebrate this week after reaching 5,000 customer reviews on Trust Pilot and achieving an average rating of 4.4.
US cracks down on transportation emissions
The US Environmental Protection Agency is considering implementing new regulations stipulating that electric vehicles make up two thirds of all new cars sold in the country by 2032.
The EPA estimates that 30% of all carbon emissions in the US are produced by transportation.
Stress pressures rise among automotive employees
A new health and wellbeing survey has revealed that stress is the most common issue among automotive employees, followed by poor sleep and low mood.
According to automotive charity Ben, 66% of more than 1,000 respondents to its latest survey said stress had impacted their health and wellbeing.
Fix Auto is the First Choice for Dunlop
Cotswolds-based repairer First Choice Bodyshop has agreed to join the Fix Auto UK network.
The business has taken over an adjoining 5,000sqft unit which will be redeveloped to operate as Fix Auto Tewkesbury.
Bush gives waste the chop
Marc Bush, National Bodyshop Manager, Prestige Division, Bentley Bugatti Pagani, has been awarded a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt.
Lean Six Sigma focuses on eliminating waste, making processes more efficient and improving customer service through leaner operations.
People
Hayley Thomas has started her new position as Insurance Manager at GT Motive.
Steer Automotive Group has appointed Jennifer Evans as Academy Development Manager. She joins from AutoRaise.
Grant Bradbury is moving from AXA to a new role as Business Development Director at Crawford & Company.
Gemini Accident Repair Centres has appointed Daniel Burke as Bodyshop Manager.
Paul Kuczera has been named Network Manager for Avant.
Global data analytics and technology provider Verisk has named Chris Sawford as new Managing Director of Claims UK.
