ARC360 & Stellantis partner for conference
ARC360 and Stellantis – a constellation of 14 iconic automotive brands and two mobility arms – have partnered for the forthcoming ARC360 ‘future tech’ themed conference.
The event will feature the Stellantis Zone – created to provide delegates with an immersive showcase of the vehicle manufacturers’ network operations, vehicles and technologies. Stellantis will also be taking to the stage during the event to provide more of an insight into its mission to transform into a sustainable mobility tech company, guided by the clear vision of its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan – electric vehicles and various other advanced technologies being core to that.
Steer and Saga join New Generation agenda
Nicky Sutherland, Director of People & Culture at Steer Automotive Group and Andy Cain, Head of Claims – Customer Operations at Saga plc will join the agenda for this year’s ILC New Generation in Claim Conference.
Sponsored by Carpenters Group and Enterprise, and supported by Ambassadors: Activate Group; Edam Group; Gemini Accident Repair Centres; Kennedys Law; S&G Response; and Solera Audatex the New Generation in Claims Conference 2024 takes place on 25 April at etc venues Manchester.
In Conversation With… Mick Jennings
ARC360’s Mark Hadaway catches up with Mick Jennings to find out the latest developments from across the business, his latest venture with Maldon Accident Repair Centre and find out more about the man himself.
Bodyshop Briefs
- Komoo has opened its third site of the year. Based in Southampton it will serve fleet and rental customers across Hampshire, West Sussex, and Dorset.
- M J Warner Volkswagen Bodyshop has passed its latest CARSQA BS10125 audit.
- L&I Eaton Edinburgh has received a positive recommendation for transition to the BS10125:2022 standard.
- James Alpe has won the Workforce Development award at the Ribble Valley Business Awards.
- Peggs Accident Repair Centre has joined the Kia network as an approved repairer.
- Veetec has unveiled a new repair site in Hayes, London. Manufacturer approved and BSi Kitemark accredited, the facility offers aluminium and electric vehicle repairs.
- Aviva has opened its first Solus site in Wales. The new facility is based in Newport.
- Fix Auto Manchester East has become a patron of Oldham-based Mahdlo Youth Zone, a community centre dedicated youngsters between eight and 19 and those with disabilities aged up to 25, for the next three years.
Industry News
EVs in a ‘turbulent place’
There is a perception among some within the market that ‘take-off’ of electric vehicles is stalling, but that thought is misguided with environmental factors and political will ensuring that electrification of the car parc is here to stay.
That was the consensus of ARC360’s second online Breakfast Think Tank, which considered the current status of EV momentum within the claims and vehicle repair markets. The answer, it appears, depends on who you ask.
Cary Group completes Spire Windscreens purchase
Cary Group has acquired Spire Windscreens, which is also part of the National Windscreens consortium.
The deal means Cary Group now controls all but four National Windscreens operations.
Robertsons unveils complete credit hire service
Robertsons has launched a new end-to-end modular credit hire service which includes FNOL, claims monitoring, intervention services, credit hire investigation, GTA and non-GTA payment negotiations, and credit hire fraud detection.
Customers are able to select any or all modules, providing a fully bespoke service that can be tailored to suit individual needs.
Insurers found to be undervaluing cars
The FCA has found that some insurers are still undervaluing cars when it comes to settlements.
Its review revealed certain insurers continue to offer customers less than their car is worth after it has been written off or stolen.
Vehicle sales maintain strong momentum
The new car market rose 10.4% last month to 317,786 registrations, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, although this remains 30.6% down on pre-pandemic levels.
The light commercial market also enjoyed a strong sales month, with 52,916 new registrations equating to an 11.1% spike.
Repairify announces Italian expansion
Repairify is expanding its business in Europe with the opening of a new office in Italy led by Business Development Director Santiago Malbran.
SYNETIQ celebrates FORS silver
SYNETIQ’s Winsford site has attained silver accreditation in the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).
To become FORS accredited, the business undertook a combination of site-based audits and theory learning.
Meanwhile, SYNETIQ CEO Tom Rumboll has won the ‘Green Leader’ award at the Yorkshire Leadership Awards.
Mirka reveals upgraded sander
Mirka has unveiled a new electric sander, the DEOS II, which offers 20% more power and user-friendly LED indicators for setting sanding speed.
Thatcham Research announces Cherry partnership
Thatcham Research has signed a two-year deal with Chinese vehicle manufacturer Cherry.
As part of the agreement, it will deliver its ‘Insurability by Design’ programme, which aims to ensure that repairability, sustainability and insurability is incorporated into the design process.
Supermarkets plug in to EV charging
The number of EV charge points at supermarkets rose by 59% last year to 1,616.
More than 600 locations added charge points during 2023 meaning 13% of all 12,839 UK supermarkets now offer EV charging on site.
Euro NCAP reveals latest ratings
Euro NCAP has announced the crash avoidance ratings for eight vans, with Gold ratings awarded to the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat Doblo, Vauxhall Combo, Peugeot Partner, Renault Kangoo and Volkswagen Caddy Cargo and Platinum ratings going to the Mercedes-Benz Citan and VW ID.Buzz Cargo.
Government to look into glare concerns
The government has announced it will commission an independent study into the issue of headlight glare.
This comes after an RAC survey found that 89% of drivers think some headlights are too bright, with 91% saying they have been dazzled by bright headlights and 74% saying they regularly are.
Plunky’s charity matches top £100k
The final Plunky’s All Stars charity football match, which takes place at the Football Development Centre in Norwich on 28 June, has so far raised more than £7,000 for three charities, the East Anglian Air Ambulance (Just Giving) , the Fire Fighters Charity (Just Giving), and Norfolk & Waveney Mind (Just Giving).
Since being launched more than a decade ago, the Plunky’s All Stars matches have raised over £100k for charity.
Automotive production enjoys healthy growth
UK car production rose for the sixth month in a row in February, up 14.6% to 79,907 units.
This made it the best performing February since 2021, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
New-look Assessor due for relaunch
The IAEA has announced that newly revamped and refreshed Assessor magazine will be published again in May, with a summer edition coming out at the end of August and an autumn/winter due in November.
Produced by the ABP club, The Assessor will be published four times a year from 2025.
VM News
Volkswagen to introduce Level 4 autonomous driving
Volkswagen has become the first vehicle manufacturer to develop an autonomous Level 4 service vehicle for large-scale production.
This comes after a development agreement with Mobileye, which will manufacture and supply software, hardware and digital maps for the self-driving ID. Buzz AD for commercial use in Europe and the US.
Polestar announces Tesla charging integration
Polestar has become the first vehicle manufacturer in Europe to integrate the Tesla Supercharger network in its own charging app, Polestar Charge, providing drivers with quicker and more convenient access to more charging points.
Drivers slow to U-turn
A new global survey carried out by YouGov in partnership with the Freedom of Mobility Forum has revealed that less than 10% of respondents have made significant mobility changes to reduce their environmental impact.
The survey questioned drivers in Brazil, France, India, Morocco, United States, with the overwhelming feeling that governments are responsible to driving the green revolution.
People
- Allianz has named Hannah Weber as new Supplier Relationship Manager.
- Adrian Hallmark will join Aston Martin as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer.
- Phil Hodkinson is retiring from his position as National Sales Manager at ACG after 33 years in the industry.
- Victoria Turner has joined Ryemarc Group as Executive Director.
- AF Accident Repair has appointed Aaron Reece as Parts Manager.
- Luke Charlesworth and Tony Billett have joined Avant Consult as new Finance Assistants.
- Steer Automotive Group has named Martin Lovell as Regional Compliance Manager.
- React has appointed Andrew D’Arcy and Ross Graham as company Directors.
- Omari Henry-Coleman has joined Fix Auto UK as Bodyshop Site Coordinator.
- Allparts Refinishing has appointed Benjamin Groves as Technical Development Manager.
- McLaren Automotive has appointed Jochen Schnez as new Chief Quality Officer.
- Garry Winckley has joined Fleet Assist as Director of Special Projects.
