Bodyshop News
- Gemini Accident Repair Centres has earned Platinum accredited membership in The 5% Club’s 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme for the second consecutive year, building on three successful years at Gold status.
- Irv’s Auto Body Repairs & VW Restorations in Barrow In Furness has successfully completed its stage two BS10125:2022 assessment, supported by ECS.
- Smart Automotive Bodyshop has passed its BS10125 audit with zero non-conformities for the first time.
- Thatcham Research has welcomed its second group of apprentices, with 34 new starters joining from Solus and ABL 1 Touch Group. It has now welcomed around 130 apprentices this year.
- Stellantis has concluded the final session of its 2024 training series at the Eyebox Training & Conference Centre in Coventry. The programme was delivered by Business Success Global.
- Adam Murray will start a new position as Head of Policy, Standards & Accreditation at Solus – an Aviva company.
- Page Automotive Group has announced that Declan McCluskey has joined as Managing Director.
- GMC Autos is now part of the Volkswagen Paint & Body Network, accredited for Audi, Cupra, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, and VW Commercial vehicles.
- Autocraft is mourning the loss of Colin Fielding, one of the founders of Autocraft Telford, who sadly passed away last week.
VM News
Stellantis launches third all-new, multi-energy platform
Stellantis has unveiled the STLA Frame platform, a BEV-native, multi-energy platform engineered for full-size body-on-frame pickup trucks and SUVs. Full story
XPENG announces strategic UK distributor partnership with International Motors
XPENG has announced a strategic partnership with International Motors as its official distributor in the UK. This partnership marks a significant step in XPENG’s global expansion and underscores its commitment to delivering AI-driven, sustainable mobility solutions worldwide. Full story
BMW Group Plant Debrecen picks up the pace
BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary is shifting into first gear with the first near-series fully-electric X models for the Neue Klasse now leaving the production line. Full story
How GM uses AI to improve vehicle software – and safety
Modern cars and trucks are powered by software. That’s true for gas-powered vehicles, EVs, and hybrids. In any current model, software will play an important role in driver safety, navigation, entertainment and operations. Full story
Ford announces measures to achieve long-term competitiveness in Europe
Ford Motor Company today announced restructuring plans to create a more cost-competitive structure and ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of its business in Europe. The company is planning to further reduce its European workforce by 4,000 positions by the end of 2027. Full story
Nissan calls for urgent action on UK Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate
Nissan has called for urgent action to avoid carmakers being penalised for the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK resulting from outdated targets in the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicles Mandate. Full story
Hyundai redefines EV mobility with IONIQ 9 Electric SUV
Hyundai Motor Company today unveiled IONIQ 9, a three-row, all-electric SUV with expansive interior space that fuses cutting-edge design and innovative electric vehicle (EV) technology. Full story
NIO announces its third brand: firefly
NIO has officially unveiled its third brand, firefly, along with its first product sharing the same name. Positioned in the boutique compact car market, firefly aims to further expand NIO’s product portfolio and leverage existing sales channels to drive growth efficiently. Full story
Michael Lohscheller: Keep the faith
It’s 2024 and greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing. Despite all the discussions. Despite all the ambitions and, sadly, despite all the investments that are being made by private sector companies and public bodies. What’s missing? Full story
Copy nothing: A new era for Jaguar
A new era for Jaguar has begun with the reveal of a completely reimagined brand. Full story
Industry News
Trend Tracker values repair market at more than £9bn
Trend Tracker’s ‘UK Motor Claims and Body Repair Report 2024-2025’ has valued the vehicle repair market at more than £9bn this year despite volumes falling in the insurance repair sector. Full story
Euro NCAP releases latest safety ratings
The Cupra Tavascan and MH HS have both achieved top safety ratings in the latest Euro NCAP tests. However, the Ford Tourneo Courier only received three stars. Full story
IMI reveals stagnating skills gap
The latest IMI Automotive Vacancies Report has revealed that the automotive sector continues to struggle to tackle the skills gap. Its analysis of the September 2024 data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows motor trades vacancies at 20,000 with 3.5 vacancies for every 100 employees. Full story
Industry bodies collaborate to tackle EV confusion
Auto Trader, ChargeUK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have joined forces to combat misinformation surrounding electric cars. Full story
WorldSkills UK competition-based learning playbook launches
WorldSkills UK is proud to launch its brand-new competition-based learning playbook, which for the first time brings together the full range of its training and development resources, to support educators in embedding world-class training programmes into the curriculum. Full story
EV breakdowns ‘out of charge’ lowest ever this year
The proportion of electric vehicles running out of charge this year in the UK has dropped to the lowest ever, according to new AA statistical analysis. The figures show ‘out of charge’ EV breakdowns, which are calculated as a percentage of all EV breakdowns, are at a record low in 2024 of less than 2% (1.85%). The rolling 12-month figure for 2023 was 2.26%. Full story
Automotive charity Ben brings back Christmas families project
Automotive industry charity Ben is launching its ‘Christmas families project’ for another year, supporting families who might otherwise have to make impossible choices about heating or eating and whether they can afford Christmas gifts. Full story
People
- Steve Plunkett has joined Volkswagen Group UK as Body Repair Channel Manager.
- Andy Caine has been appointed Business Development Manager at Autoglass.
- Gallagher Bassett Chief Operating Officer John Fearn has presented the 20 Years of Service Award to our Motor and Property Fulfilment Director, Mark Garnham.
- GYS has appointed Grace Hodges as North West Area Sales Manager.
- Sara Smith has been named Head of Vehicle Supply and Funding at Fleet Assist.
- Anthony McAteer has been appointed Senior European Sales Director at LKQ Europe.
- Matthew Simpkins has been appointed Global Head – Industry Strategist – Automotive at Salesforce.
