Bodyshop Briefs
- Here we catch up with Allan Biggs, Director of Grove Autos following recently being awarded the Enterprise Repair Partner Award 2024 for Best Fleet Repair Partner – South East. Read more
- The winners of the NBRA Greener Bodyshop Awards have been revealed. Nominees met at The Coventry Building Society Arena for the seventh annual awards, which were introduced to celebrate those businesses and individuals who have set outstanding standards in sustainability. Read more
- Gemini ARC attended the House of Commons for an event celebrating the UK’s Top 100 and Top 50 SME Apprentice Employers. The company was presented with a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2024 certificate after being ranked 86th this year.
- Solus Dunstable has officially opened after moving from Luton to a new state-of-the-art 40,000 sqft repair centre.
- Page Automotive Group has announced that all its sites have successfully transitioned to the new BS10125:2022 standard.
- Peter James Motor Group has been awarded Evolution Repair Group, Advocate of the Year 2024.
- Komoo Bangor (NI) has successfully passed its BSi Kitemark audit with 100% compliance.
- West Midlands Accident Repairs has announced that its technicians have completed a Level 3 EV training course at Bridge Automotive Academy.
- The Vella Group has celebrated its apprentices who recently passed their end point assessments in MET, panel and paint apprenticeships at its Apprentice Recognition Event at Revolución de Cuba in Liverpool.
- Steer Automotive Group Chief Executive Officer Richard Steer has been named EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 UK for London & South East.
- The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has awarded Glyn Hopkin Chelmsford Training Centre IMI Approved Centre status.
- Bristol Street Motors Orpington Ford has been transformed into a dedicated commercial vehicle dealership, following an extensive refurbishment of its premises.
- DLG Team Leader Graham Jones has discussed how the company is delivering outstanding customer experiences. DLG owns and operates 23 automotive service centres, which handles more than 50% of its own claims. Read more
- Fix Auto UK has invested in its network, acquiring the long-established Fix Auto Edinburgh West repair centre from Stewart and Carol Roden. The acquisition, the first for the network in Scotland, takes the number of repair centres the network owns outright to 11. Read more
Industry News
HORIBA MIRA unveils UK-first crash testing facility
Automotive engineering consultancy HORIBA MIRA has opened the UK’s first vehicle crash testing facility capable of testing frontal car-to-car impacts. These collisions are responsible for more deaths than any other accident type, according to Euro NCAP. Read more
CLEPA calls for greater regulation to protect independent aftermarket
CLEPA has called for greater regulation protecting access to repair data and parts for independent repairers. It believes that as authorised dealerships gain greater dominance, independents are facing growing restrictions around access to vital information and spare parts. Read more
Euro NCAP announces latest safety ratings
Euro NCAP has released the safety rating for the Audi Q6 e-tron, the Ford Explorer, the Jeep Avenger, the Renault Symbioz and Captur, the Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza, and the XPENG G6. The Audi Q6 e-tron, Ford Explorer, XPENG G6, and Subaru Crosstrek and Impreza all achieved five-star safety ratings, while the Renault Symbioz and Captur achieved four stars. Read more
BASF Coatings launches first ChemCycling products in the automotive refinish market
BASF Coatings officially introduced new product lines at Automechanika 2024. It’s next generation of clearcoats employs the company’s unique ChemCycling technology which boost bodyshop efficiency and productivity. Read more
Cordless convenience is here to stay with help from Mirka’s FBS-B
Mirka UK is expanding its belt sander range with the new lightweight Mirka FBS-B battery file belt sanders. The new FBS-B 13 and FBS-B 10 tools have been designed to make cleaning up welding seams and spot welds easier and more efficient. Read more
Government confirms it will go ahead with research into headlight glare
The RAC has welcomed news that the government will commission research into headlight glare. RAC road safety spokesman Rod Dennis said: “We are delighted to see a commitment from the new government that independent research into the issue of dazzling headlights is being commissioned, especially with darker evenings now on the way.” Read more
NFDA-NI and PACTS urges immediate action on MOT backlog
In a joint letter with the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS), NFDA-NI has sent a letter to Northern Ireland’s Infrastructure Minister, John O’Dowd, extending a further invitation to discuss the knock-on safety concerns of the MOT system in Northern Ireland. Read more
Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030
The Road Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland to 2030 reflects the continuing commitment to working in partnership to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries across the roads network and to the ongoing development of a safe and sustainable transport network that meets the needs of all road users. Read more
Axalta introduces Axalta Nimbus to improve productivity and performance
Axalta has launched Axalta Nimbus, its global customer experience platform for refinish customers. This technology seamlessly connects customers to all of Axalta’s tools and resources to improve efficiency, enhance productivity, boost performance, and maximise profitability. Read more
Motor Assist calls for industry-wide EV-for-EV replacement vehicle guarantee
Motor Assist is calling for the accident aftercare industry to implement an EV-for-EV guarantee, enabling drivers of electric vehicles to remain in an electric car if they require a temporary replacement. Read more
New Data Hub Shows How Waymo Improves Road Safety
The most recent data shows that over 22 million rider-only miles driven through the end of June, the Waymo Driver has been involved in 84% fewer crashes with airbag deployment, 73% fewer injury-causing crashes, and 48% fewer police-reported crashes compared to human drivers. Read more
esure backs 20mph zones to lower premiums
Insurer esure has said that reducing speed limits to 20mph in cities across the UK could reduce annual motor policies by £50. It reported a 20% fall in car claims in Wales since the limit was introduced last September and reduced premiums accordingly at the end of the year. Read more
Ben invites automotive family to get involved in festive fundraising activities
Automotive industry charity Ben is inviting its automotive family to get involved in Christmas Jumper Day this December and has also released its new Christmas card collection to raise funds which will support those struggling or in crisis. Read more
VM News
BMW Group Recycling and Dismantling Centre celebrates 30 years
For 30 years, the BMW Group’s Recycling and Dismantling Centre (RDC) has been developing and testing processes to achieve significant advances in the recycling of parts and reusable materials. Read more
Hyundai and GM MoU to explore collaboration
General Motors and Hyundai Motor Company have signed an agreement to explore future collaboration across key strategic areas. GM and Hyundai will look for ways to leverage their complementary scale and strengths to reduce costs and bring a wider range of vehicles and technologies to customers faster. Read more
Zeekr showcases latest innovations in Frankfurt
Zeekr showcased its latest innovations, including the upgraded LFP batteries, the Zeekr MIX and the Zeekr 001 FR, at the EVA Expo at Automechanika Frankfurt 2024. Read more
Geely Auto unveils its pure electrified products at Automechanika Frankfurt
Geely Auto, an innovative global automaker, made a strong impression at Automechanika, Frankfurt by showcasing its latest electrified products designed for global markets. With participants from 175 countries, the world’s leading trade fair, Automechanika Frankfurt, officially kicked off on September 10. Read more
People
- ACG has appointed Nicky Rushton as the company’s new Head of Sales.
- FMG Repair Services has appointed Paul Wrigglesworth as its new Managing Director.
