Bodyshop Briefs
The Vella Group is delighted to announce plans to open its 17th accident repair centre in Penrith, Cumbria. This new 8,000-square-foot facility is undergoing significant investment to meet The Vella Group’s high standards for quality and efficiency and is scheduled to open in early 2025. Full story
Rapid Repair Network has reported that it has reduced its carbon footprint to just 40% of that of a traditional bodyshop. The business, which delivers same-day mobile repair services, has worked with ECA Business Energy to enhance its sustainability credentials. Full story
Doseley Motors has again passed its annual VWG (Volkswagen Group) Audit, with another perfect score of 100%. The business has been a VWG approved repairer for 17 years.
Cougar Accident Repair Centre has joined the Volkswagen Paint & Body network, offering manufacturer-approved vehicle repairs for the Luton area. These include Audi, Cupra, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, and VW Commercial.
Matthew Penning, Group Managing Director at Pennings Group, will raise funds and awareness for homelessness in the UK by spending a night outside with CEO Sleepout MK. Full story
Chesterfield Car Clinic has completed a revamp of its customer collection area. It has unveiled a dedicated reception area and a separate area specifically designed for customers to collect their repaired vehicle.
Steer Automotive Group has introduced Oxo-Biodegradable Seat Covers across all it workshops as part of our journey to Net Zero, supported by distribution partner LKQ UK & Ireland. Designed for multiple uses, these seat covers start to degrade when exposed to oxygen, breaking down into water and biomass.
iRG has welcomed James Austin Conner to its Cardiff team as Vehicle Damage Assessor. James joins the business from Florida and has shared his journey from the US in an exclusive interview.
Castle Coachworks (Northampton) is proud to share that it has successfully passed its Tesla audit.
Kerr & Smith Cumnock Ltd has installed a new light commercial spraybooth/oven and mixing room. The two-day installation was completed by LCI Spraybooths.
Stephen Murray has started a new role as Managing Director at ECF Accident Repair Group.
VM News
Exploring Innovation: Thatcham Research Product Showcase featuring Chery’s OMODA and JAECOO
This week, industry professionals gathered at the Thatcham Research Repair Technology Centre to witness the partnership of Thatcham Research and Chinese vehicle manufacturer, Chery. The spotlight was on Chery brands: the OMODA and JAECOO. Full story
JLR’s hybrid vehicle retail sales up 29% in H1
JLR reports growing demand for plug‑in hybrid models, with global retail sales for the first half of the financial year up 29% compared to the prior year, as more customers use the technology as a stepping stone towards battery electric vehicles (BEV). Full story
Infineon and Stellantis team up to advance innovation
Stellantis and Infineon Technologies have announced they will work jointly on the power architecture for Stellantis’ electric vehicles to support Stellantis’ ambition of offering clean, safe and affordable mobility to all. To support this, the companies have signed major supply and capacity agreements. Full story
Standardising Automotive Connectivity
Today a single vehicle typically requires over 200 connections—and the number of electrical connectors and types across new vehicles is only increasing. To accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy, Tesla is simplifying the manufacturing process and electrical connectivity requirements for all its vehicles. Full story
NIO delivers 20,976 vehicles in October, surpassing 20,000 for six consecutive months
NIO delivered 20,976 vehicles in October, marking the company’s sixth consecutive month of over 20,000 deliveries. In the first 10 months of 2024, NIO delivered a total of 170,257 vehicles, up 35.05% from the same period last year. Full story
XPENG unveils Kunpeng super electric system and AI-defined mobility innovations
XPENG has unveiled a range of innovations across AI vehicles, robotics, and flying cars, including the much-anticipated XPENG Kunpeng Super Electric System and the Turing AI Intelligent Driving System. It has also launched what it calls the world’s first AI-defined vehicle, the P7+. Full story
Industry News
Market Intelligence Repair: Martin Rowley, Executive Director, NBRA
Executive Director of the NBRA, Martyn Rowley underlined the challenges facing the repair sector posed by electric vehicles, a widening skills gap exacerbated by new technologies, and rising costs.
Speaking to delegates at ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference, which took place at Landing Forty-Two in London recently, he reiterated the need for greater collaboration within the industry to tackle these growing concerns and ensure the safe repair of vehicles. Full story
Pre-loved EVs soar to record levels as used car market goes green
The used car market grew by 4.3% between July and September, marking the seventh successive quarter of year-on-year growth, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A record 53,423 used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) found new owners, a jump of 57%. Full story
Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index Q3 2024
Confused.com have published the third quarter 2024 edition of the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index in association with WTW. Comprehensive car insurance premiums have fallen by 2.3% (£21) between July and September 2024, with UK motorists now paying £861 on average for their car insurance. Full story
Charge UP: EV quarter update
Activate Group’s quarterly electric vehicle (EV) report has revealed that EV repair costs have fallen six per cent across the board in the last quarter, with parts costs down eight per cent. The report draws on Gecko Risk data to provide updates on EV adoption and repair cost trends, exclusively focussing on battery EVs. Full story
Repairify regains 14001 Environmental Certification
Following recent audits of its Luton and Peterlee businesses, Repairify has successfully retained the ISO 14001 accreditation. ISO 14001 sets out the standard for an environmental management system. Repairify met the required certification by ensuring its UK sites are compliant with specific environmental criteria and demonstrated strict monitoring processes and awareness of environmental policies. Full story
Audatex UK data update
Audatex has announced the release of its latest data update, D4.79, which will be available from 14 November 2024. This update includes enhancements to 55 model sheets and the addition of 13 new models to its vehicle database. Full story
Green technology and dozens of new jobs – Mirka invests in Jakobstad
Mirka is investing £21m in a new production line in Jakobstad, Finland. The manufacturing line supports the green transition and is based on technology that could transform the entire abrasives industry in the coming years. Full story
People
Victoria Turner has been appointed as Managing Director of National Accident Repair Group (NARG). She remains as Executive Director of holding company Ryemarc Group which includes MotoFix ARC.
Alistair Carlton has started a new position as Division Manager – Tools, Consumables & E-Commerce at Master Auto Glass.
Hyundai Motor Europe (HME) has announced that Xavier Martinet will succeed Michael Cole as President and CEO at the end of the year.
Jesper Lyndberg, previously CEO at BMW Financial Services Denmark, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Alphabet International.
