October Market Intelligence report
ARC360 has published its latest market report in partnership with Trend Tracker, which reveals that repair volumes in October were 95% of 2019 levels but 105% compared to the same month last year.
Meanwhile, repair costs are up eight per cent year on year, but this is down from the 16% recorded in June.
JLR apologises for parts delays
Jaguar Land Rover has apologised to customers after a shortage of parts has delayed repairs to nearly 5,000 cars.
The company has downsized its UK parts supply network from 18 UK warehouses to one super centre but has experienced a crisis in parts supply since then.
Gemini celebrates Platinum status of The 5% Club
Gemini Accident Repair Group has secured Platinum Membership status in The 5% Club Employer Audit for 2023-2024.
The 5% Club recognises those employers who have committed to developing new talent through earn and learn skills training plans. Only three per cent of all members achieved Platinum status this year.
Steer recognises apprentices with dedicated awards ceremony
Steer Automotive celebrated the emerging talent within the group during a special awards ceremony dedicated to its apprentices.
The Steer Apprentice Academy Awards was attended by industry professionals and partners and included a session on the future of the automotive industry led by Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services from Thatcham Research.
LV= unveils new charity initiative
LV= has raised more than £600 for its charity partner Family Action through a new initiative that also tackles the challenges around finding courtesy cars.
The LV= initiative involves its network repairers inviting customers to opt out of taking a courtesy car while their vehicle is being repaired, with the bodyshop donating at least £25 to the charity instead.
SMMT urges government to unlock CAM windfall
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has urged the government to clear the path for the UK to capitalise on a potential £66bn connected and automated mobility windfall by 2040.
In a new report, Connected and automated mobility: The UK economic and market opportunities, the SMMT also says CAM technology has the potential to create an additional 342,000 skilled jobs and prevent upwards of 60,000 serious accidents.
Premium prices spike 29% in third quarter
Motor insurance premiums have risen to £561 in the third quarter of the year, according to data from the Association of British Insurers.
This represents a 29% increase on the same period last year and is nine per cent higher than the second quarter of 2023.
New car sales hit pre-pandemic high
New car sales have hit their highest point since before the pandemic, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It found that October’s new car market grew by 14.3% in the month to 153,529, which is 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels.
Meanwhile, light commercial vehicle registrations increased by 17.7% in October to 26,342 unites.
Steer expands Scotland footprint
Steer Automotive Group is expanding its presence in Scotland with the launch of a new state-of-the-art site in Glasgow.
Solera zeroes in on scope 3 emissions
Solera has unveiled a new suite of solutions, Sustainable Estimatics, to help the industry move towards a greener future.
Using its own extensive data in conjunction with a range of industry partnerships, it is able to analyse and measure the CO2 emissions during each stage of a motor claim.
SYNETIQ secures environmental silver
IAA company SYNETIQ has been awarded a silver medal by EcoVadis, an internationally-recognised sustainability platform that evaluates companies across a range of criteria, including environment, social and ethical practices.
SYNETIQ earned a silver medal after being ranked in the top 25% of more than 100,000 international businesses assessed.
IMI highlights dangerous ADAS skills gap
The Institute of the Motor Industry believes there is a now a shortfall of 18,000 technicians in the UK qualified to work on ADAS-equipped vehicles.
It warns the gap will increase as at least one in ten cars on UK roads will feature Level 2 autonomy by the end of the year, and this will grow to almost half of the car parc by 2030.
Belron named IMI TechSafe Centre of Excellence
Belron International has become the latest organisation to be named an IMI TechSafe Centre of Excellence, following significant investment in training facilities for its more than 1,100 UK technicians.
The other IMI TechSafe Centres of Excellence are the BMW Group Academy and Lincoln College.
AkzoNobel announces new Sustainability Challenge
AkzoNobel will launch a 24-hour challenge to accelerate carbon reduction in the vehicle repair industry.
Taking place from 21-22 November and involving insurance companies, fleet and lease companies, bodyshops and OEMs, the Vehicle Repair (VR) Sustainability Challenge will spark dialogue around new innovations in energy transition, process efficiency and circular solutions.
Standard successes
A number of bodyshops have achieved BS10125:2022 certification recently. They include Diss-based Bressingham Car Bodyshop, Patersons ARC, Alton Cars Sheffield, and Cosmetic Repair Solutions in Chesterfield.
Thatcham Research backs autonomous focus
Thatcham Research has backed the government’s plans to accelerate legislation around autonomous vehicles, as highlighted in His Majesty the King’s Speech.
Jonathan Hewett, Thatcham Research’s Chief Executive, said, “Thatcham Research champions stringent standards and comprehensive legislation vital for the secure and effective deployment of self-driving vehicle technology. It is through rigorous safety frameworks, clarity in legal liability, and collaborative efforts between government, industry, and insurers that the full potential of this transformative technology will be realised.”
First Hydrogen and the Potential of FCEVs
Clare Bestall and Craig Gibson from National Windscreens attended MIRA Technology Park in Coventry recently to find out more about the potential of hydrogen as a viable fuel alternative.
MIRA is Europe’s leading mobility R&D location for developing the latest automotive technology.
MONITRR reaches assessment landmark
Outsorc’s software solution MONITRR has now completed over 112,000 assessments and audits in 96 countries using five internet browsers on desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile.
Worrying research identifies EV charging cables risks
New research carried out by What Car? has revealed that some aftermarket electric vehicle charging cables could overheat and shock users.
It bought three ‘Mode 2’ chargers, which allow EV owners to charge their vehicle using a three-pin domestic socket, and found that all three failed all or some of its Residual Current Device (RCD) tests.
Meet the e2e Network
e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management has published the latest instalment of its ‘Meet the Network’ series.
The latest blog focuses on ASM Auto Recycling, which operates from five sites across Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. It processes over 35,000 vehicles a year and offers for sale over 1,500 cars, vans, and motorbikes every week via the e2e network online auction Salvage Market platform.
People
Martyn Rowley has officially taken up his new position as Executive Director at NBRA – VBRA.
Komoo has announced that Paul Halligan has joined the business as Group Compliance Manager.
Page Automotive Group has announced two internal promotions, with Neil Pettit and Scott Balson both further their careers within the group.
