ARC360 conference proves major success
ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference has been declared a major success. Bringing together over 250 of the motor claims sector’s leading professionals, the event provided an open forum for discussions around the evolution of the vehicle parc; technology advances and implications; business acquisition and growth; and ideas around future business models. Summaries of the discussions will be made available in the coming weeks.
Bodyshop Briefs
- The Vella Group has taken its number of sites to 15 with more than 400 colleagues after announcing the acquisition of Stoke-based Brocksford Motors. Meanwhile, eight more of its sites have joined the AkzoNobel Sustainable Repair Network.
- 4 Elms Group has announced that it has achieved PAS 2060 certification for carbon neutrality for the fourth year in a row.
- Two Coachwork Renovations apprentices have completed their Plastic Repair Training with Cornerstone Technologies.
- Steer Automotive Group apprentices recently attended 3M as part of its Advanced Apprenticeship Programme, with the training course focusing on spot repair, plastic repair, colour contrast and advanced masking techniques.
Industry News
Charge Up: EV Quartly Insights
To provide valuable insights into this evolving market, Activate Group, the accident management specialist, is launching a quarterly EV report, utilising data from Gecko Risk. This report aims to offer comprehensive and up-to-date information on the latest trends and developments in EV repair, from average repair costs to cycle times.
Driven miles up in 2023
Trend Tracker has revealed that 330.8 billion miles were driven in the UK last year. Data from the Department of Transport has revealed that this is a rise of 2.2% on 2022 but remains 2.3% below the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
New and used car markets hold steady
The latest Car Market Overview from cap hpi has revealed that both the new and used car segments are performing strongly.
Solera and Simplicity Car Care host Sustainability Summit
Simplicity Car Care and Solera Audatex joined forces on Tuesday in Toronto to host an inaugural Automotive Industry Sustainability Summit dedicated to paving a road to net-zero in the collision repair and auto claims economies.
BASF colour wins prestigious award
BASF Coating Division’s colour ZENOMENON was the only automotive paint to be honoured at the Red Dot Award: Product Design, one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world.
VRA membership growing
Nine new members, Altelium, Autograb, Aviloo, Equiniti, Golden Motor Group, National Vehicle Distribution, Rennicks, Wilsons Auctions and Zenith, have joined the Vehicle Remarketing Association so far this year.
London roads busiest in the world
London’s roads have been ranked the most congested in Europe for the third year in a row, with drivers in the capital spending an average of 99 hours sitting in traffic in 2023.
Hydrogen on the horizon
Venson Automotive Solutions has published a new report, The Big Hydrogen Question, exploring the role hydrogen can play in cleaner road transport.
Charles Trent celebrates gold
Charles Trent has won Gold in the Family Business category at the Poole Business Awards 2024.
Distrigo expands distribution network
The Distrigo Parts Distribution UK network has expanded with two new branches, Distrigo HTC Guildford and HTC Shoreham.
AX boosts EV transition with EValuate
AX has launched EValuate,a replacement vehicle service that offers ICE vehicle drivers the opportunity to try an EV for an extended period while their car is being repaired following an accident.
Motors completes Cazoo acquisition
Used car search platform Motors, which is backed by private equity, has acquired online car retailer Cazoo after it fell into administration.
Tchek.ai partners with Instavalo
Tchek.ai has enhanced its focus on AI with a new licensing agreement with German-based vehicle appraisal company Instavalo, which will manage its existing vehicle scanner customers.
Strategy and implementation equally critical
A new report by outsorc has examined the value of business strategy and implementation, concluding that one is not more important than the other and ‘a successful business requires a well-developed strategy and the capability to implement it effectively.’
UK motorists unsure about rules of driving abroad
New figures show that 46% of UK drivers have or would drive abroad yet 71% don’t know how the essential Green Card system works, according to a new YouGov survey by MIB.
VM News
JLR hires more than 1,500 veterans
JLR has hired more than 1,500 former armed forces personnel globally over the last decade, as the nation honours Armed Forces Week in the UK.
Rivian and VWG announce EV joint venture
Rivian Automotive has announced that Volkswagen Group will invest nearly £4bn to form an equally controlled and owned joint venture to create next-generation electrical architecture and best-in-class software technology.
Hyundai launches high-tech EV model
Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled its all-electric INSTER, with a top range of 220 miles and charging times to 80% of 30 minutes. The model also includes a range of ADAS features, such as Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Blind-spot View Monitor and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Polestar accelerates EV understanding
Polestar has considered the difference of accelerating in an EV compared to an ICE model in the latest in its series of technical features, ‘Explain it like I’m 5.’
People
- Darren Keylock has been named Regional Support Manager at Motofix Accident Repair Centres.
- Mick Callaghan has joined HB Accident Repair Network as new Production Manager.
- Jim Odams has joined Autotech Group as Business Relationships Manager.
- Auxillis has appointed Kelly Graham as Operations Director.
- Direct Line Group has named Maz Brown as Group Chief Risk Officer.
- Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida has received a CBE for services to UK/Japan business relations.
- A1 ADAS Solutions has appointed Kieran Eastwood as Operations Manager.
