Bodyshop Briefs
- Steer Automotive Group apprentice Miguel Harvey has won a Medallion of Excellence at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 while David McKeown from James McKeown Accident Repair Centre secured Bronze in Autobody Repair.
- ADAS calibration experts Complete Diagnostics has become the first organisation of its type to receive a positive recommendation from BSI.
- Braintree Motor Works achieved a 100% pass mark during its BSi 10125 spot audit this week.
- PK Motors ARC has achieved Suzuki approval after passing a compliance standards audit by ITAS.
Industry News
New study highlights green benefits of repair and reuse strategy
A study commissioned by VRA Certification in collaboration with certified recycler SYNETIQ, an IAA company, has confirmed the significant environmental advantages of repairing damaged vehicles using green parts sourced in the UK. The study, titled ‘Repair, Reuse, Replace’ was also in association with Allianz SE, Oakdene Hollins, and Metsims Environmental Consulting. Read more
IMI warns of dangerous shortage in ADAS-qualified techs
New analysis from The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has revealed that just two per cent of UK technicians are qualified to repair and maintain vehicles featuring Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).
ADAS-equipped vehicles now account for 13% of the UK car parc, but there are just 4,425 individuals that are IMI TechSafe registered to work on them. Read more
European auto industry calls for urgent action as demand for EVs declines
A continuous trend of shrinking market share for battery electric cars in the EU sends an extremely worrying signal to industry and policymakers. European auto manufacturers, united in ACEA, therefore call on the EU institutions to come forward with urgent relief measures before new CO2 targets for cars and vans come into effect in 2025. Read more
NWVA welcomes more charity sponsors
Nationwide Vehicle Assistance (NWVA) has welcomed a host of new sponsors for its charity football game, the Bob Linwood Memorial Trophy Football Match. Entegral and Orbital Repair Solutions have joined the list of sponsors including Copart, JR Revell, RH Prestige Cars, Expedient Security, Boniface Engineering, AUGGIE and Vision Vehicles. Read more
IMI seeks industry input in NOS reviews
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is inviting industry input in a series of National Occupational Standards (NOS) reviews. The IMI announced in the summer that it is reviewing the following standards: Maintenance and Repair – Light Vehicle; Mechanical Electrical and Trim (MET); and Core Automotive – Health & safety. Read more
Cap hpi data finds EVs written off at half the rate of ICE models
Analysis from cap hpi has found that electric vehicles are written off at less than half the rate of petrol and diesel models. The study, which looked at data from 2015 to August 2024, revealed that just 0.9% of EVs under five years old have been written off. This compares to 1.89% of petrol and diesel vehicles. Read more
Mirka’s new €25m investment, first of its kind in the world
Mirka is continuing its journey as a market shaper and leading the whole abrasives industry by building an innovative circular grain manufacturing plant in Jeppo, Finland. The investment will reduce Mirka’s CO2 footprint by approximately 5,000 tons and the first circular abrasive products will be launched during 2026. Read more
Roadside assistance and vehicle recovery operators can now apply for permission to use red flashing lamps
RAC has welcomed news that road assistance and recovery operators can now apply for permission to use red flashing lamps on their vehicles. RAC chief operating officer Dom Shorrocks said: “This is a landmark day for the roadside assistance industry as being able to use red flashing lamps will unequivocally improve the visibility of roadside workers and help save lives.” Read more
Campaign launched to reclaim ‘drive safely’ to save under 25s from life-changing crashes
As a new wave of young drivers take to the road this school year, new claims data on serious injuries from Admiral Car Insurance reveals crashes involving young drivers are ‘still too high’. Admiral’s own data shows drivers under the age of 25 are nearly twice as likely to make a claim for a crash involving a serious injury than a driver over 25. Read more
US: CLEPA joins call for independent operators’ ‘Right to Repair’
CLEPA, along with other sector associations, have co-signed a statement calling for independent operators’ ‘Right to Repair’ at their meeting during Automechanika 2024. The call centres on an urgent need for a fair level-playing field and robust legislative backing to address the rising competitive advantage by OEMs controlling the data generated by vehicles. Read more
How batteries will drive the zero-emission truck trans
Road freight vehiclesaccount for a significant share of global CO2 emissions. Hence, minimizing their carbon footprint is a vital step toward achieving global climate targets. Over the past decade, governments, fleet operators, and truck OEMs have realized this need for action and have gone to significant lengths to make this positive change happen. Read more
Powerfleet Announces Strategic Acquisition of Fleet Complete
Powerfleet, a leading provider of AIoT SaaS solutions for the mobile asset industry, has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement providing for the strategic acquisition of Fleet Complete, a prominent player in connected vehicle technology and fleet management. Read more
UK recalls 10 times higher than in 1994
The rate of vehicle recalls has surged tenfold in the last 30 years, according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) analysed by The Car Expert.
It found that nearly 1.2 million vehicles from 41 different manufactures have been recalled to date this year. Read more
VM News
Euro NCAP begins Truck Safe testing
Euro NCAP has begun testing as part of its new Truck Safe programme. The programme has been introduced to tackle the disproportionate number of truck fatalities across Europe, where trucks represent only three per cent of all vehicles but are involved in almost 15% of road fatalities. Read more
Lucid Motors showcases latest innovations
Lucid Motors hosted its Technology and Manufacturing Day, showcasing its latest models and innovative technology, including what it describes as the most advanced electric vehicle plant in the world. Read more
XPENG to unveil the future of AI mobility in Europe at Paris Motor Show 2024
XPENG Motors will present a range of new technologies and solutions at the Paris Motor Show 2024, highlighting its commitment to intelligent, sustainable mobility solutions tailored for the European market.
Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President at XPENG, said: “The European automotive market is undergoing a transformation from electrification to smartification.” Read more
How to use Hyundai’s Smart Sense safety tech in the all-new INSTER
Imagine driving with an extra set of eyes, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. That’s exactly what Hyundai’s Smart Sense does. This advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) doesn’t just enhance safety; it gives you greater peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying the journey. Read more
Stellantis Pro One Inaugurates Global Commercial Vehicles Hub at Mirafiori Automotive Park 2030 in Turin, Italy
Stellantis Pro One celebrated a major milestone today, inaugurating its new global commercial vehicles hub at the Mirafiori Automotive Park 2030 in Turin, Italy. The hub brings together all functions that align the strategy and guidelines of the business unit to increase efficiency and speed in decision-making. Read more
Stellantis deploys AI-enabled innovations to boost manufacturing efficiency, sustainability and improve workplace
Stellantis manufacturing leaders embrace the challenge to discover and implement production processes that leverage workers’ talents, ensure product quality, improve efficiencies and produce vehicles and components efficiently with minimal environmental impact. Read more
BMW Group Design team implements new organisational structure
The BMW Group is completely reorganising its design division under the leadership of Adrian van Hooydonk. A new cross-brand design team will be launched on 1 October 2024 to meet changing demands for future-oriented vehicle design. Read more
People
- Kasey Foreman, Director at LJ Transportation/Nationwide Assistance Group, has won a Women in the Industry award for outstanding contribution to the recovery sector.
- Andy Cain has been appointed Head of Claim Notification & Repair at Hastings Direct.
- LKQ Europe has appointed Diederik van Erven Dorens as Chief Financial Officer.
- Paul Gange has joined the Boyd Group as Chief Operating Officer for U.S. Collision.
- Stellantis has announced the sad passing of Mark Pickles, Parts & Service Director.
