Bodyshop Briefs
- Steer Automotive Group has opened its second dedicated electric vehicle repair facility, located in Milton Keynes. This new site investment expands the group’s specialist electric vehicle repair capacity to meet the increasing demand for EV repair capability within the current and future UK vehicle parc through emerging new EV brands. Read more
- Komoo Southampton has successfully passed its BSi Kitemark audit with 100%.
- Entegral has announced the successful installation and onboarding of Verrall’s Vehicle Accident Repair to its Eclipse Bodyshop Management System.
- Leighton Coachworks has joined the Fix Auto UK network to take the business to another level.
- Doseley Motors Body and Paint Centre is now officially a Tesla Approved Body Shop (TABS).
- Fix Auto Leicester has been included in the prestigious UK Fast Growth Index for 2024.
- Express Bodyworks has officially secured a long-term partnership with The Looping Group at West Midlands Safari Park.
- KC Autos has successfully passed it latest JLR and VWG audits.
- Nova Automotive Group has unveiled its second BSI-approved site, based in Colchester.
Industry News
AutoRaise requests sector feedback
Automotive sector charity, AutoRaise is inviting industry professionals to share their feedback about what they need to take on more apprentices and the support needed. The feedback collected will play a crucial role in shaping AutoRaise’s business plan and strengthening its efforts to support the industry in meeting these challenges. Read more
Conference highlights changing times across sector
ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference highlighted the many changes taking place within the sector currently and how organisations are evolving as a result. The Exclusive Motor Claims Conference saw 150 of the sector’s key persons of influence gather at UK’s highest event space – Landing Forty-Two in the Leadenhall Building London to share expert insights from all corners of the motor insurance claims space. Read more
Ageas confirms exclusive negotiations with Saga
Ageas has confirmed it has entered into exclusive negotiations with Saga plc, the UK specialist provider of products and services to people aged over 50, to establish a 20-year partnership for the distribution of personal lines Motor and Home insurance. Read more
Glusurit selected as BMW preferred partner
BMW has selected BASF Coatings as its preferred partner for the next five years, providing coverage in more than 50 countries worldwide. The approval covers BASF’s premium paint brands, plus its selection of paint-related products. Read more
DVLA data reveals that over 300 drivers have been caught drink driving at least four times
Figures from the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) has shown that 372 drivers were caught at least four times over the drink driving limit. A freedom of information (FOI) request by the Press Association revealed that 27,837 individuals were convicted of the offense multiple times over the 11 years leading up to 20 July, 2024. Read more
Big kick-off drawing near
There is less than a week to go before The Bob Linwood Memorial Trophy, organised by the Nationwide Assistance Group. The game is being played at The London Stadium on Tuesday, 15 October, to raise funds for Debra UK Charity. Read more
Enter the WorldSkills UK EDI Heroes Awards 2025
WorldSkills UK’s annual celebration of equity, diversity and inclusion in the technical education sector is open for nominations. Now in its fifth year, the WorldSkills UK Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards recognise those individuals and organisations that are making a difference to apprentices and learners across the UK. Read more
Bdeo supports Swedish Insurance Society seminar
Bdeo has recently supported the Swedish Insurance Society at their Motor Insurance Seminar. David Morris delivered a presentation on how Visual Intelligence can be used to support many different parts of the motor claims process. Read more
Thatcham Research invests in new data platform
Thatcham Research has invested in its new cloud-based Microsoft Azure data platform, as part of its Automotive Risk Intelligence journey. This platform will serve as the backbone to its product strategies and the development of its data and analytics capabilities, paving the way for future innovation and growth. Read more
Farécla winners to be announced
Farécla will be broadcasting the Grand Final of its Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting Competition 2024 at midday today. The winner and take home a £1,000 grand prize, the complete G360 Polishing System and the new G Plus Cordless Rotary Polishing Machine. Read more
200 new 150kW+ chargers installed at motorway service areas in England
200 additional 150kW+ electric vehicle chargers have been installed at motorway services in England since the beginning of 2024, a 51% increase over the last eight months and a new record for installation numbers, according to new analysis* carried out by Zapmap and the RAC. Read more
Gemini donates 15 cars to EMTEC
Gemini Accident Repair Centres Ltd is supporting the next generation of skilled workers by donating 15 rally vehicles from past AutoRaise charity rallies to Emtec Colleges Ltd in Nottingham. The cars will give students hands-on training in vehicle stripping, mechanical work, panel beating, and paint training. Read more
Police Scotland partner with MIB to tackle uninsured driving along M8
Over 30 additional Police Scotland officers have collaborated with MIB today, 3 October, to crack down on uninsured driving. The MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) initiative has seen uninsured vehicles stopped and seized along the 60-mile length of the M8 motorway from Edinburgh City Bypass to Langbank. Read more
Potholes cause half a million breakdowns so far in 2024
The AA has attended almost half a million pothole-related breakdowns in the first nine months of 2024 – and Britain’s crumbling road epidemic is set to worsen as a result of the heavy rainfall over recent weeks. The emergency assistance provider has alone responded to 480,000 callouts from stranded motorists after hitting potholes between January and September. Read more
Personal EV Demand Gathers Pace
Private motorists are beginning to catch up to business users when it comes to EV adoption, as personal lease agreements (PCH: personal contract hire) tracked in line with ZEV mandate targets last quarter. Battery Electric Vehicles accounted for 21% of new PCH additions to the BVRLA’s leasing fleet in Q2 2024, although the association is warning that the uplift risks being short-lived if the used EV market is not stabilised. Read more
Gecko Insights: Are Teslas becoming a more attractive risk to insurers and fleet operators?
Gecko is introducing new data insights looking at Teslas with expert opinion provided by Tim Hunt, Senior Engineer at Activate Group. He found that the gap between average repair costs of Tesla and other BEV manufacturers has dramatically closed over the last five years and is now trending in line with the rest of the market. Read more
VM News
Lotus Cars rolls out comprehensive new insurance programme
Lotus Cars has announced the launch of a comprehensive insurance programme for its UK customers. The programme, implemented through car insurance provider Car Care Plan, will serve both new and used Lotus vehicle owners. Read more
Tesla unveils longest-range model
Tesla has enhanced its Model 3 line-up with its longest-range option to date. Recently launched in the UK, the Tesla Model 3 Long Range Rear-Wheel-Drive (RWD) offers 436 miles range, based on Europe’s WLTP standard. The base Model 3 RWD has a WLTP-estimated range of 318 miles while the Long Range AWD and Performance variants have an estimated range of 390 and 328 miles, respectively. Read more
GM is working on an eyes-off, hands-off driving system
Seven years ago, GM became the first automaker to offer hands-free driving when it rolled out its Super Cruise advanced driver assistance system. Now, it’s looking to push that capability even further with a system that would allow drivers to keep their eyes off the road too, according to one of GM’s top software executives. Read more
Honda unveils high-tech O Series
Honda has unveiled some of the next-generation technologies included in its new EV range, the Honda 0 Series, which launches next year. It includes a new EV platform to realise both thin and low-height styling and enhance safety for the occupants, while a 6,000-ton class megacasting machine will be adopted to the IPU case production line, which will significantly reduce the number of parts from more than 60 to 5. Read more
Elon Musk unveils ‘Cybercab’ at Tesla robotaxi event
Tesla boss Elon Musk unveiled the firm’s long-awaited robotaxi, the Cybercab, at the Warner Bros Studios in Burbank, California on Thursday evening. The futuristic-looking vehicle featuring two wing-like doors and no pedals or steering wheel deposited Musk in front of an audience eager to hear details about a project he considers key to Tesla’s next chapter. Read more
Toyota showcases technology developments towards a sustainable future
Toyota will present technologies supporting a sustainable, carbon-neutral future at the Japan Mobility Bizweek 2024 in Chiba, Japan, from 15-18 October. This will include new portable hydrogen cartridges designed for everyday use, such as cooking. Read more
Skoda boss warns EV battle may “destroy residuals” and urges legislators to act
Skoda’s boss has said that the coming year will be “the most fierce environment for EVs” and warned: “That’s not healthy. It will destroy residuals, it will destroy customer sentiments.” Read more
Renault Group and Suez join forces to fast-track circularity in Europe’s automotive sector
Renault Group and SUEZ step up their long-term partnership, which encompasses recycling waste metal and recovering end-of-life vehicles, with strategic agreements aimed at supporting the ecological transition in the automotive sector. Read more
Nissan to launch affordable Vehicle to Grid technology from 2026
Nissan announced it will launch affordable on-board bi-directional charging on selected electric vehicles from 2026. The initiative forms a key step towards its vision of creating a sustainable energy ecosystem. Read more
The Zeekr Places App: A smart way to find what you want, available in Europe
Global electric mobility technology brand Zeekr has developed the new Zeekr Places app. Integrated into Zeekr vehicles, Zeekr Places offers a smart, intuitive time-saving way to help customers find the things they want while driving, making every journey simpler. Read more
People
- Industry Insights and Trend Tracker has paid tribute to friend, colleague and member Darren Clark, who passed recently.
- Pete Thompson has started a new position as Managing Director at Onyx BMS.
- LV= General Insurance has appointed Phil Coleman as Claims Supplier Manager.
- Steer Automotive Group has appointed Attiq Qureshi as Chief Technology and Information Officer.
- Steve Treloar is returning to insurance after more than a year out of the industry, as he is appointed to Zego’s board.
- S&G Response has announced that Head of Operations Glenn Taylor is a finalist in Institute of Leadership Individual Category.
- Stellantis has appointed Antonio Filosa as North America Chief Operating Officer, while Jean-Philippe Imparato has been named Chief Operating Officer Enlarged Europe. Meanwhile, Doug Ostermann has been appointed Chief Financial Officer and Gregoire Olivier is the brand’s new Chief Operating Officer China.
- Mipa Paints has appointed James Taylor as UK field-based Technical Support.
- Adam Wood has begun his role as Managing Director and Country Head Renault Group UK.
