Bodyshop Briefs
- Gemini Accident Repair Centres has welcomed its 10th cohort of multi-skilled apprentices, in partnership with Emtec Colleges. Meanwhile, seven colleagues have become the first in the group to achieve GOA Qualifications Level 3 ADAS.
- Four more major vehicle refinishes businesses, Pennings, Alton Cars, Veetec and Impact are joining AkzoNobel’s Sustainable Repair Network, a programme launched last year to help customers in the EMEA region on their journey to becoming more sustainable and efficient. Read more
- Rapid Repair Network (RRN) a leader in same day vehicle mobile repair services, has partnered with leading energy and carbon specialists ECA Business Energy to measure and validate the carbon footprint associated with each repair job conducted by their network of mobile repairers. Read more
- Revive! has announced the renewal of their sponsorship with the Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey team for the 2024-25 season.
- FMG Repair Services Bristol recently showcased its business to Martin Ward, CEO of parent company ZIGUP.
- LD Autovogue achieved a 100% pass in its latest BSI Kitemark Accreditation audit.
- Steve’s Smart Repairs, Stoke on Trent has warned drivers of telltale signs to look out of on their vehicles that indicate repairs are needed.
Industry News
Operations suspended at Ford National Distribution Centre
The NBRA has reported that the Ford National Distribution Centre in Daventry has had to suspend its picking and packing operations during a cleaning operation after a low percentage of white asbestos was found during an on-site survey. Read more
The changing landscape of repair operations
As consolidation of the sector continues apace, some of the secrets to a successful strategy of acquisition were revealed during a session entitled ‘The changing landscape of repair operations’, heldat ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference. Sharing the stage were Marc Holding, Managing Director, The Vella Group; and Victoria Turner, Executive Director, Ryemarc Group. Read more
S&G Response marks World Entrepreneurs’ Day
S&G Response celebrated World Entrepreneurs’ Day by interviewing three company directors, Andy Whatmough, Nik Griffiths, and Nick Stone, about their experiences in the industry. Read more
Supply will never be the same again
Millions of lost new car sales as a result of the pandemic and the shift towards electric have forever altered the make-up of cars on the road. Initially impacting the new car market, these dynamics have knock-on implications for the used market and have consequences for the cars sourced, priced and sold by retailers. Read more
Auto Raise new MD visits Emtec
Auto Raise Managing Director Emma Speed has celebrated the partnership with Emtec by visiting the learning provider to see the educational initiatives and innovative work being done there to support the next generation of automotive professionals. Read more
FCA calls for more evidence from insurers
The Financial Conduct Authority has said that although insurers and brokers have improved governance and oversight of how products are designed, managed, reviewed, and distributed, many can still not evidence fair value and good outcomes. Read more
SYNETIQ technicians achieve success in HEVRA training
SYNETIQ, an IAA company and one of the UK’s leading integrated vehicle salvage, dismantling, and recycling companies, has announced that its mechanical vehicle technicians have successfully completed their HEVRA (Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Repair Alliance) training. Read more
Thatcham Research helps fire service handle EVs
Thatcham Research recently welcomed Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) to its Berkshire HQ to enhance its crews’ incident response approach to modern vehicles. The Thatcham Research crash team provided and prepared a modern vehicle, previously used for research projects and safety tests, to simulate real-life emergency scenarios. Read more
1,000 more council insurance claims year-on-year largely driven by pothole claims
Nottinghamshire County Council has reported a significant increase in public liability claims over the past year, largely driven by a surge in complaints related to pothole damage on the county’s roads. Read more
‘In 60 seconds the car was started and stolen’
Drivers have spoken out about the cost of car crime as figures show more than one million motor vehicle theft offences have been recorded in England and Wales in a decade. Read more
HGV sales show modest growth
New heavy goods vehicle (HGV) registrations rose 2.6% in Q2 2024, reversing the decline recorded in the first quarter of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Read more
However, EY has warned of challenges around electrification of the sector, with just 65 zero emissions sold in the second quarter, representing just 0.56% of the overall market. Read more
How written-off cars are dangerously resold for profit
A new investigation has revealed that cars written off following accidents are being repaired and resold, but in some cases the repairs have weakened the structure, leaving drivers and passengers vulnerable to serious injury in the event of another incident. Read more
City of Wolverhampton College automotive students land permanent roles
Students who studied for automotive qualifications at City of Wolverhampton College are celebrating after getting jobs with a leading motor vehicle dealer. Read more
Increased car usage provides growth opportunities for independent garages
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has said that new figures from the Department of Transport revealing that car usage has now exceeded pre-pandemic levels highlight the opportunities available to independent garages. Read more
TrustFord charity fishing match raises over £4,000 for Cancer Research UK
TrustFord raised over £4,000 for Cancer Research UK with its annual fishing match at the start of August. The event was held at Messingham Sands Fishery, Scunthorpe. Read more
Researchers collaborate on best practices for automation research
Researchers from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have joined colleagues from academia and the automated vehicle and insurance industries in issuing a set of best practices for future evaluations of highly automated vehicles. Read more
Meet the humanoid robots who could be building the next generation of BMWs
BMW claims to have successfully tested the use of humanoid robots at one its vehicle manufacturing plants in the USA. Read more
NFDA launches industry recruitment drive
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has launched its latest Drive My Career campaign, #EVolveYourCareer, intended to encourage more people into the sector. Read more
VM News
Stellantis adds grilles to Eurorepar parts range
Following the successful launch of Eurorepar’s own brand front and rear bumpers earlier this year, the range has now been extended to include a number of front bumper grilles for popular models across the Stellantis passenger car and commercial vehicle brands. Read more
Polestar presents Olympic winners with gold models
Polestar has presented gold-painted vehicles to Olympic gold medal winners swimmer Sarah Sjöström and pole vaulter Armand Duplantis. Read more
New Forest National Park & BMW UK enhance partnership
The New Forest National Park Authority and BMW UK have celebrated a milestone in its partnership, as a new twin electric vehicle (EV) charging point officially went live in the National Park. Read more
Golf is crowned ‘Best Car of the Half Century’
The Volkswagen Golf has been voted as ‘Best Car of the Half Century’ as part of the Best Cars of the Year – The New Car World Championships. Read more
People
- Auto Raise has announced that Emma Speed has been appointed as new Managing Director.
- LKQ UK & Ireland has strengthened its top team with the appointment of Tony Shearer as Chief Operating Officer, Matt Robinson as B2B Trade Director, and Adam Ince as Divisional Director.
- Steer Automotive Group apprentice Miguel Harvey has been selected to join Team UK at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 along with David McKeown of James McKeown Accident Repair. Miguel will compete in Car Painting, with David in Autobody Repair.
- ACG has appointed Chris Potts as its latest Business Development Manager.
- Scott Payne has been appointed as Group Business Development Manager at The Pennings Group.
- HB Accident Repair Network has promoted Cathy Taylor to HB Customer Service Manager.
