NBRA exclusive: Q&A with Executive Director Martyn Rowley
In an exclusive interview with ARC360, new NBRA/VBRA director Martyn Rowley discusses his first few months in charge, his plans for the organisation, and how he hopes the NBRA/VBRA can support members and the industry further in the coming years.
Motor insurance payouts spike 21%
The Association of British Insurers has revealed that motor insurance payouts by insurers jumped by 21% in the third quarter of the year compared to the same period in 2022, surpassing £2.5bn for the second consecutive quarter.
Maldon open for business
Maldon Accident Repair Centre officially opened its doors this week which saw 200 people visit over two days.
Maldon ARC is a state-of-the-art, BSI-accredited collision repair specialist for cars and commercial vehicles.
Solera emphasises EV risks and opportunities
Solera has highlighted the challenges the sector faces with more than a million EVs now on UK roads.
It says correct repair methodology is more critical than ever, but its tools and broad data coverage can support businesses get it right first time. It points to XpertEstimate, which enables insurers to manage claims and maintain service standards
Meanwhile, Audatex has updated AudaEnterpriseGold and with 16 new and 74 updated model sheets.
Gemini receives 5% Club certificate
Gemini Accident Repair Centres Managing Director David Sargeant and Head of Training John Henderson received the group’s 5% Club Platinum membership certificate at Mansion House, London, recently.
The day also included meaningful discussions with other members about the value of apprenticeships.
Colleagues invited to take part in Ben wellbeing survey
Automotive industry charity Ben is inviting anyone who works or has worked in the sector to share their experiences to help it mould its support services to better suit the industry.
Its Health and Wellbeing Survey 2023 has been designed to help the charity identify the issues that have most impacted colleagues over the last year.
Big news for XL Motors
Coventry-based repairer XL Motors has been awarded with the new Lotus Bodyshop Approval.
Certification demonstrates the company’s continued commitment to manufacturer standards of repair, ensuring exceptional quality and outstanding customer satisfaction within the industry.
Individual Specialist Cars adds Lotus to prestigious list
Individual Specialist Cars has announced it has secured approved bodyshop status from Lotus.
Certification adds to a prestigious list of vehicle manufacturer approvals for the Birmingham-based site that includes the likes of Aston Martin, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls Royce, and Tesla.
Repairify offers free remote services to new customers
Repairify has announced a new initiative that will offer new customers three months of free access to its remote services.
Available from 1 December, the promotion provides new customers or customers who have not used remote services in the last six months full access to Repairify’s remote solutions. This means they will be able to scan, diagnose, calibrate or programme vehicles using Repairify’s IMI-trained technicians and data centre of OE tools.
Solus cuts ribbon on new repair centre
Solus has cut the ribbon to its latest site in Newport, South Wales.
The new 23,000 sqft centre is the first Solus site in Wales and continues the wider strategy of delivering repair solutions to customer where they are, with 22 Solus sites across the UK.
The repair centre will create more than 30 jobs.
Steer Group secures PAS 2060 certification
Steer Automotive Group has achieved PAS 2060 accreditation across all its 98 sites following a combination of operational enhancements and carbon offsetting initiatives.
The group now plans to achieve net zero and carbon neutrality without relying on carbon offsetting by increasing the use of sustainable paint, more green parts in repairs, and using more sustainable energy sources across the business.
Industry accolades for Steer Automotive Group
Steer Automotive Group was named B2B Business of the Year: Large at the Growing Business Awards.
Meanwhile, the group was also for nominated for Large Employer of the Year and Apprenticeship Champion of the Year (Steve Hoe) at the National Apprenticeship Awards.
Fix Auto Devon’s Alena nominated for IAW award
Fix Auto Devon Finance Director Alena Woolacott has been shortlisted for the 2024 Automotive 30% Club IAW Awards.
Cap hpi predicts continued price deflation
Cap hpi has published its latest car market overview, which revealed that 153,529 cars were registered in October, a 14.3% increase on the same month last year and 7.2% above pre-pandemic October 2019.
Meanwhile, average used car values have dropped by 8.4% or £1,625 in the last two months. It predicts values will continue to drop until the end of the year, with the fall in prices slowing during 2024.
ITAS delivers EV training to Fisker
ITAS has supported Fisker with a range of training sessions to enable colleagues to handle EVs safely.
The course provided an introduction to Fisker’s all-electric Ocean SUV, helping delegates identify high voltage components and then carry out a high voltage disconnect.
BEVS drive production surge
Battery electric vehicles made up 40% of all new cars produced in the UK in October, according to The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
BEV production rose 52% in the month, driving up overall car growth of 31.6% to 91,512 units.
Meanwhile, UK commercial vehicle (CV) production returned to growth last month, rising 47.1% year on year with 12,853 vans, buses, trucks, coaches and taxis entering the market.
2023 IMI Skills Competition winners announced
The winners of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) 2023 Skills Competition have been revealed.
Gold went to Ben Turner of Harris DAF High Wycombe (Skillnet) in the Heavy Vehicle category, while Oisin Mckerr of Porters Bodyshop (Southern Regional College) won Refinishing gold, Adrian Matthews of Ultimate Accident Repair Services (S&B Automotive Academy) won gold in the Body Repair category and Oliver Young from J&R Auto Services (Perth UHI) won gold in the Light Vehicle category.
All the finalists can now take part in the World Skills International competition in Lyon in September 2024.
Nissan accelerates EV shift in Sunderland
Nissan has confirmed that all three models manufactured at its Sunderland plant, the Qashqai, Juke and Leaf, will go 100% electric.
Following a £3bn investment, the EV36Zero hub will also include three gigafactories.
High Mobility delivers access to Tesla data
High Mobility has announced that Tesla vehicle data is now available through its developer-focused tools, enabling businesses to track vehicle location, status alerts, usage patterns and maintenance signals.
Meanwhile, the company has entered into a new partnership with IMS, which delivers connected solutions to insurers, mobility operators and governments.
UK Auto manufacturing charges up with £20bn investment boost in 2023
The UK automotive industry has so far attracted approximately £20bn in private investment this year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
On top of industry’s backing for new and upgraded R&D and manufacturing facilities, the government committed a further £2bn for the sector, backed by an Advanced Manufacturing Plan and battery strategy that will drive green economic growth and create jobs across every part of the country.
NBRA disappointed by Audatex Price Increase
The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) and the Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) has criticised Audatex for an 8.5% price increase.
It says that the 8.5% hike is not justifiable in comparison to the 6.1% Retail Price Index (RPI).
AkzoNobel celebrates carbon reduction initiative
AkzoNobel has celebrated a global initiative with partners and industry stakeholders to collaborate on more sustainable solutions in vehicle repair.
Focusing on three key areas -energy transition, process efficiency and circular solutions – solutions include adapting repair manuals to improve repairability and the creation of an academy to train more sustainable practices.
Investment fundamental to survival
CEO of LKQ Euro Car Parts Andy Hamilton has assessed the challenges facing repairers in 2024.
He said that continued investment in skills and equipment will be critical to continue serving a rapidly-evolving sector.
Hella to acquire TMD Friction stake in Hella Pagid
Hella has announced it will become the sole owner of Brake joint venture Hella Pagid, which supplies brake systems to the industry.
Hella will acquire the 50 % share currently held by TMD Friction.
Carpenters Group continues Brake sponsorship
Carpenters Group has announced it is continuing to support Brake, the road safety charity, as a corporate partner.
The partnership will help fund Brake’s work supporting road crash victims and campaigning for safe and healthy mobility.
Industry Insights celebrates racing silver
Leicestershire-based Industry Insights Race Team has been named second in class overall for the race season in the Open series of the Classic Sports Car Club (CSCC) end of season awards.
People
Intelligent Motoring has appointed Mike Williams as Head of Business Development.
Mike Begginton has been appointed as Mazda’s fourth technical trainer.
