Leading names back ARC360 event
Activate Group and Thatcham Research are the two latest names to show their support for ARC360’s ‘future technology’ themed conference taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry.
The event is also now sponsored by Activate Group and Thatcham Research – both of whom will be present on the day – along with recently announced event partner Stellantis which will be hosting the ‘Stellantis Zone’.
Carpenters and Enterprise lead New Generation support
Carpenters Group and Enterprise are the two leading names to show their ongoing support of ILC’s New Generation in Claims Conference 2024 takes place on 25 April at etc.venues Manchester.
The New Generation in Claims programme for 2024 has been backed by Ambassadors: Activate Group, Edam Group, Gemini ARC, Kennedys, S&G Response and Solera Audatex.
Bodyshop Briefs
- esure Group has unveiled its latest state-of-the-art bodyshop in partnership with Halo ARC, based in Saffron Waldon.
- The Vella Group has retained its PAS 2060 certification for a third year in a row after reducing emissions by six per cent in 2023 and becoming the first UK repairer to join the AkzoNobel Sustainable Repair Network last month.
- Fix Auto UK has welcomed three more East Anglia-based repairers to its network. Bressingham Car Bodyshop will now operate as Fix Auto Diss, Autodoc has transitioned into Fix Auto West Norwich, and Red Rocket Accident Repair Centre will now operate as Fix Auto Great Yarmouth.
- Redhill-based Finesse ARC has successfully passed its first Volkswagen Group paint and body audit.
- Crewe-based dealer group Swansway Motor Group will open a new all-electric car dealership in Crewe following a partnership with Chinese manufacturer BYD.
- Knaresborough-based Great North Auto Services is opening a second site in Harrogate.
- Allied Vehicles Group-backed Fix Auto Glasgow North has acquired Fix Auto Wigan as part of a wider growth strategy that will see more acquisitions in the coming three years.
- Perfect Paint MK has announced it has achieved ISO 9001:2015 accreditation.
Industry News
Repair costs contribute to record payouts
Motor insurers paid out a record £9.9bn in compensation in 2023, up 18% on 2022.
The Association of British Insurers said the increase was driven by repair costs rising from £4.7bn in 2022 to £6.1bn. Meanwhile, claims volumes rose 10% to 2.3 million.
Enterprise Flex-E-Rent bolsters numbers
Enterprise Flex-E-Rent is recruiting more than 100 new technicians across its 28 UK depots.
It is also expanding its training programme, which now provides up to 4,000 bespoke career planning and training hours to technicians every month.
Industry leaders unveil inaugural Automotive Experience Week
The School of Thought Automotive, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and Autotech Academy are collaborating to launch the industry’s first ever Automotive Experience Week.
Taking place from 15-19 April, AWE24 is a call to action with employers encouraged to offer a week’s placement to at least one young person during the year.
Silverlake announces significant fleet investment
Silverlake Automotive Recycling has invested in its fleet to meet growing demand.
It has added six new transporters to offer greater capacity for salvage collections, and four new vans to deliver reclaimed parts to bodyshops.
SYNETIQ secures safety certifications
IAA company SYNETIQ has achieved a key safety milestone by securing a globally recognised certification.
It has announced that its management team has attained the IOSH Managing Safely qualification while its board and directors have achieved IOSH Directing Safely.
SMMT secures top employer award
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has been named one of Britain’s top places to work after achieving Gold accreditation from Investors in People (IIP), the international benchmark for workplace standards and people management.
Hybrids pull away from EVs
New figures have revealed that used EV sales have fallen across Europe, but hybrids are more popular than ever.
According to INDICATA, a cooling of demand for EVs means they now make up just 4.1% of the online used B2C used vehicle market, while hybrids have grown to a record high of 15.3%.
Autocraft set for European expansion
Autocraft Solutions Group has announced plans to expand its EV battery repair footprint across Europe after securing a £24m finance deal from HSBC.
It plans to launch its REVIVE range of EV battery testing and repair services in southern Europe and Scandinavia.
Drivers in a tight spot
Drivers are paying out £424m every year to repair vehicles damaged due to tight parking bays, according to Churchill, which also revealed that parking space widths are based on 1970s guidelines while cars have increased by 12cm on average since then.
Delphi expands hydrogen parts portfolio
Global aftermarket leader Delphi has expanded its range of hydrogen vehicle parts and components available to the aftermarket.
It now offers 32 replacement component part numbers across braking, steering and suspension, vehicle electronics, and thermal management systems.
Automotive 30% Club announces Small Business Group
The Automotive 30% Club has announced it will launch a new Small Business Group to develop collective solutions to promote gender balance within the industry.
Meanwhile, Hella Aftermarket Managing Director Neil Grant has renewed his membership.
VM News
BMW Group signs tech collaboration
The BMW Group has announced a new collaboration with Croatian tech company Rimac Technology to develop new solutions in EV batteries.
JLR announces strong sales results
JLR has reported wholesale and retail sales increases of more than 20% in the last financial year.
Wholesale volumes rose 25% to 401,303 units while retail was up 22% to 431,733.
Kia sets steep sales curve
Kia has announced sales targets of 4.3 million by 2030, with electric models accounting for 58% (2.48 million) of that.
This represents a 34% increase on the brand’s sales targets for 2024.
Tesla ditches low-cost model
Reuters has reported that Tesla has abandoned plans to develop an affordable EV for the mass-market, due to increasing pressure from Chinese manufacturers.
People
- Accident Credit Group (ACG) has appointed Roxanne Cosby as Business Development Manager.
- Satty Nanuwa has started a new role as Insurance Business Manager at Autoglass.
- AutoGrab has appointed Rupert Pontin as UK Head.
- Richard Farrar has been named Head of Operations – Refurbishment at Cox Automotive Europe.
- Sydney Jeyes has been appointed Customer Experience Agent at Evolution Repair Group.
- The Independent Paint Supplies team has appointed Marc Powell as Technical Sales & Support expert.
- Gail Carr has been promoted from van driver at Carlac to Merchandiser for the Manchester area.
- Equipmake has appointed Glenn Saint as Business Development Director.
