Mirka publishes sustainability report
Mirka is publishing its 2022 Sustainability Report, highlighting the progress it has made towards achieving a net zero future.
Supported by £26m funding from Business Finland, it has achieved a 56% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions at its Finnish production sites.
Steer Automotive Group announces C&C acquisition
Steer Automotive Group has accelerated its expansion strategy with the acquisition of C&C Vehicle Services.
C&C has sites in Oldham, Chesterfield, Coventry, Sunderland and Wolverhampton.
The next generation of vehicle repairer
The evolution of the automotive aftermarket is not slowing down, with every repairer having to reassess processes and priorities to future-proof their businesses. Here, partners Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Repairify share their insights into how the changing landscape is impacting the sector in terms of technology, training and partnerships.
AutoRaise Rally underway
More than 30 vehicles lined up on the grid for the start of the AutoRaise Rally this week.
The Rally, which tours East Anglia, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire, is hoping to raise more than £150,000 for the charity, which was set up to support apprenticeships entering the industry.
Soaring repair costs drive up motor claims
A 46% rise in repair costs in the last year has driven a 29% increase in motor insurance payouts.
According to figures released by the Association of British Insurers, repair costs soared to £1.5bn between April to June, contributing to motor payouts of £2.5bn in the second quarter. This is 29% more than the £2bn paid out in the same quarter last year.
Toyota Hilux sets hydrogen benchmark
Thatcham Research has hailed Toyota’s prototype hydrogen fuel cell variant of its Hilux pick-up as a benchmark in sustainable vehicle design strategy.
The pick-up was developed as part of the Toyota Motor Manufacturing-led project, a collaborative effort to pioneer zero-emission technology in the commercial vehicle market.
AA warns against overloading
The AA has warned drivers of the risks of overloading their cars, with motorists packing their vehicles for holidays abroad and helping students move to universities.
It says that overloaded cars can wear tyres and lead to a loss of control.
Lexus leads in Euro NCAP safety tests
Toyota’s first globally available all-electric executive model has passed all Euro NCAP safety tests.
The Lexus RZ was rated good for all-round crash protection for occupants of all ages and sizes, and comes equipped with the latest crash avoidance systems.
UK’s first EV charging charter published
Electric vehicle and renewable energy campaign group FairCharge has created the UK’s first charter for electric vehicle (EV) public charging.
Developed in partnership with the RAC, the charter aims to improve the reliability, transparency, accessibility, and usability of the UK’s charging network.
UK’s first all-electric plant up and running
Stellantis has begun production of electric vehicles at Ellesmere Port, the first UK plant dedicated to EV production.
Following a £100m investment, the site will produce the Vauxhall Combo Electric, Opel Combo Electric, Peugeot e-Partner, Citroën ë-Berlingo and the Fiat E-Doblò, with passenger cars also being manufactured from 2024.
RWC Training launches IMI-approved EV course
RWC Training is now IMI-approved to deliver a new Electric Vehicle Technician Accreditation.
Tailored to suit bodyshop technicians, the course builds on Level 3 EV Qualification.
New car sales up a quarter
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that new car sales grew 24.4% in August with 85,657 new vehicles registered. However, this remains 7.5% below pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, the LCV market was up five per cent to units.
Fix makes it six with Arenacross
Fix Auto UK has secured its Presenting Partner status for both the 2023/2024 Arenacross British Championship and the all-new Arenacross Festival.
The debut Arenacross Festival – or AX Fest as it is known – takes place at the spectacular Bolesworth Castle in Cheshire later this month (15-17 September) as the first round of the new Arenacross season, with full dates for upcoming British Championship set to be announced soon.
People
Hannah Sheehan, Director of the Skills Journey Directorate at the Department for Education, has been appointed the Official Delegate for WorldSkills and WorldSkills Europe.
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has named Sally-Anne Hodder as Head of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging.
Auto Windscreens has appointed Stephen Mallon as Finance Director.
The Automotive Council has appointed Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and CEO, Bentley Motors, as Industry co-Chair, while Arun Srinivasan, Head of Bosch Mobility in the UK, has been named Industry Deputy co-Chair of the industry-government partnership.
