ARC360 Podcast 32: Mental Health Matters – Carl Norton, Regional Business Manager, Fix Auto UK
In this episode we speak with Carl Norton, Regional Business Manager at Fix Auto UK and, perhaps more relevant to today’s conversation, the man behind the network’s Mental Health First Aid programme – which has already surpassed training over 100 colleagues across the network.
The future in focus: Managing ADAS
The rise and rise of ADAS has placed a huge strain on skills in vehicle repair. With demand only growing, correct diagnostics and calibration is becoming absolutely critical to the sector.
Here, as part of ARC360’s Future in Focus editorial theme, Phil Peace, Managing Director (SVP) International, Repairify, considers the implications of widespread adoption of ADAS and how Repairify is helping to future-proof the industry.
Copart celebrates Carbon Literacy gold
To mark Carbon Literacy Action Day, Copart has announced that it has achieved a Carbon Literacy Gold Accreditation with over 50% of its workforce now certified.
The Carbon Literacy Project awards this accreditation to companies that maintain a substantial proportion of their workforce as carbon literate.
Government unveils ZEV Mandate targets
The Department for Transport has revealed plans to ensure all cars sold in the UK are zero emission by 2035.
The new Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate requires 80% of new cars and 70% of new vans sold to be zero emission by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035. Meanwhile, from next year, 22% of all cars sold must be zero emission.
NBRA/VBRA discuss pricing with GT Motive
The NBRA/VBRA has sought clarity from GT Motive around its pricing strategy for 2024.
It hopes to be able to share outcomes of its discussions with the wider industry to enable bodyshops to plan ahead for any potential price increases.
ACG appoints Budsworth as MD
Accident Credit Group (ACG) has named Ian Budsworth as new Managing Director.
Ian has been with the company for four years as Operations Director, leading the company through a period of significant growth.
SYNETIQ considers green parts inflation
Following up questions posed by delegates during October’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference, SYNETIQ has addressed the availability and price of green parts as well as EV battery recycling.
Ben taps into Christmas spirit with new film
Ben is hoping a new short film will help it to raise upwards of £300,000 over Christmas for struggling families.
Based on supermarket TV adverts, the film uses the tagline ‘When you give a little, we can change a lot.’ and focuses on a family who are struggling to make ends meet.
It is now calling on those in the industry to share the film and donate as much as they can to help it provide life-changing support for automotive families.
Fix Auto UK welcomes RDB to network
Fix Auto will again operate in Luton after it was announced that RDB UK will join the network as Fix Auto Luton.
The business, owned by Hassan Khan, has moved into a new site in New Town Road and is on track to secure BSI 10125 accreditation.
Euro NCAP identifies new weight issues
Euro NCAP’s latest safety release has identified a worrying trend for heavier, more powerful cars that pose a greater risk to other drivers.
It reviewed the Volkswagen ID.7, the BMW 5 Series, Mercedes-EQ EQE SUV, BYD TANG, Kia EV9, XPENG G9, VinFast VF8, smart #3, BYD SEAL-U, Honda ZR-V, and the Hyundai KONA, with only three weighing less than two tonnes.
Gecko reveals EV repair times and costs
Gecko, a powerful alternative fuel vehicle data platform, has revealed that there were 940,687BEVs in the UK as of the end of November, with average repair times of 25 days and average costs at £2,591.
ADAS undervalued by more than half of drivers
A new IMI report, Understanding the Knowledge Gap, has revealed that only 47% of motorists see ADAS calibration as a vital job and only one in five can identify ADAS features in their vehicle.
Stellantis and Ample agree EV deal
Stellantis has announced a new deal with Ample that could enable EV drivers with depleted batteries to be back on the road inside five minutes.
As part of the deal, Stellantis will pilot Ample’s modular battery swapping solution, which includes swapping low batteries with a fully charged one.
BMW Group upgrades roadside assistance service
BMW Group UK is working with Allianz Partners to introduce 72 new state-of-the-art service vans as part of a major upgrade to its Roadside Assistance Programme.
National Windscreens announces ADAS exchange
National Windscreens invited 10 technicians from Sweden to its UK centres on a two-week knowledge sharing exchange with Cary Group.
Technicians shared ADAS experience and practices from both countries.
New car sales approach 2019 levels
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that new car sales in November were just 96 units lower than the same month in 2019.
Its figures revealed that sales rose by 9.5% in November to reach 156,525 units, with growth driven by fleets, where registrations rose 25.4% to account for 93,049 units and 59.4% of the market.
Meanwhile, hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) grew by 27.8% and 55.8% respectively, while the light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew by 12.7% in November to 27,433 units.
Audatex responds to NBRA price queries
The NBRA/VBRA has been in close dialogue with Solera/Audatex about its proposed 8.5% price increases.
It said that Chris Wright, the Vice President for North Europe, has provided valuable insights into the decision, explaining that the company is navigating double-digit price rises of its own from industry suppliers.
Bodyshop Briefs
iRG Hereford has moved to a new location in Rother was industrial Estate. It completed the move over a single weekend.
Castle Coachworks has been named an approved repairer for American EV manufacturer Fisker.
Komoo Middlesbrough has achieved BS 10125:22 certification.
Ipswich Accident Repair Center has secured Tesla approval.
Doseley Motors has passed its BMW/MINI audit.
People
EV Bodyshops has promoted George Thurman from the role of Admin Manager to Business Development Manager.
Euro Car Parts has announced that Kevan Wooden will become CEO of the LKQ UK & Ireland group of companies. Current CEO Andy Hamilton will become Senior Vice President of LKQ and President and Executive Managing Director of LKQ Europe.
Sarah Hirst has been appointed Accident & Repair Services Director UK&I – Core &Volume -Davies Group.
The Institute of the Motor industry (IMI) has appointed both Julia Muir Hon FIMI, founder of the Automotive 30% Club, and Robert Forrester, Chief Executive and co-founder of Vertu Motors plc as Vice Presidents.
