Bodyshop Briefs
- South Street Motors ARC has passed it latest ITAS compliance audit for Suzuki and Mazda.
- D. Gawthrope ACR has passed its Toyota & Lexus audit with a 100% pass rate.
- ABL 1 Touch Group has achieved BS 10125 certification.
- HB Accident Repair Network, which has named Richard Manson as Branch Manager of the Year, has unveiled plans to open more sites in the north west.
- Page Automotive Group’s Operations Director Shane Lawrence will take part in the Great North Run to raise funds for DEBRA UK. Read more
- DCR Systems has delivered and installed two wheel refurbishment solutions for approved Kia, Mazda, and Toyota dealership Burrows Motor Company.
Industry News
Repairify celebrates European Patent
The European Patent Office has granted Repairify a patent relating to a Remote Vehicle Programming System and Method. This latest award aligns with Repairify’s global patents which it holds in the US and Australia as well as other markets, strengthening its position in Europe. Full story
Eurorepar expands Stellantis parts range
Eurorepar has extended its range of bumpers and grilles to include 66 front wings for popular models across the Stellantis passenger car and commercial vehicle brands. The expansion brings the total number of Eurorepar Body Parts available to 220. Full story
Volumes down again in September – Trend Tracker
The latest Trend Tracker monthly report has revealed that repair volumes in September were six per cent down on the same month last year and 11% below 2019 levels. Although slightly up on August volumes, there were still more than 8,000 fewer repair jobs carried out in the month compared to 12 months ago. Full story
Solera extends partnership with F&P
Solera has extended its strategic partnership with F&P, the Danish trade association for insurance companies and pension funds, by integrating its Sustainable Estimatics tool into the Autotaks platform. Full story
Government announces taskforce to tackle spiralling insurance costs
The government has created a new taskforce to identify the reasons driving up high car insurance costs and ensure drivers are getting a fair deal. Transport Secretary, Louise Haigh, and Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Tulip Siddiq, will bring together industry groups and consumer champions such as the Association of British Insurers, Citizens Advice, Which? and Compare the Market, as well as insurance regulators, to tackle spiralling costs of car insurance. Full story
Industry bodies question government taskforce
Industry bodies have questioned the government’s decision to include representatives of the insurance sector on a taskforce established to tackle soaring premiums. The government taskforce, established to identify the reason for rising insurance and deliver fairer outcomes for drivers, comprises insurers and the Association of British Insurers, with some suggesting this will sway any outcomes. Full story
ROUTING – the theme of BASF’s 2024-2025 Automotive Color Trends collection
Every year, designers from BASF’s Coatings division create a new collection of colours to inspire automotive designers around the globe. ROUTING, the title of the 2024-2025 Automotive Color Trends, features new reds with intense purple shades, signifying a shift from darker and blueish reds. Full story
Team UK honoured at Houses of Parliament
WorldSkills UK celebrated Team UK’s remarkable achievements at WorldSkills Lyon 2024 at the Houses of Parliament in London. During the ceremony, 12 Medallions of Excellence were awarded to the Team UK members. Full story
Is the 2035 ICE sale ban target still realistic?
The European Union’s plans to phase out the sale of internal-combustion cars and trucks are drawing renewed skepticism from some industry groups and automakers, just as other automakers are urging the bloc to keep the planned target date. Full story
Martec Training Poised to Demonstrate Revolutionary AR Tech at Open Event
Martec Training is revolutionising its motor vehicle courses through the integration of Assisted Reality (AR) headsets; significantly enhancing the learning experience for students with varying levels of Special Educational Needs (SEN). Full story
Charity football match raises £20,000 for Debra in memory of Bob Linwood
NWVA’s charity football match held in honour of Bob Linwood, who passed away on January 17, 2024, successfully raised £20,000 for the charity Debra, which supports individuals and families affected by Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB). Full story
Tiny number of drivers paid compensation for pothole damage
New research from Halfords has suggested that fewer than one in five compensation claims for damage to vehicles caused by potholes are successful. It has now launched a completely free ‘Pothole Damage Check’ for all UK motorists to help drivers check if their vehicle has been damaged by one of the estimated 11m potholes currently plaguing UK roads. Full story
VM News
Stellantis brings winning global portfolio to Paris Motor Show
Stellantis brands Citroën, Peugeot and Alfa Romeo presented new and upgraded electrified vehicles in their line-ups at the Paris Motor Show 2024. Meanwhile, the event also saw the debut of Leapmotor International, the Stellantis/Leapmotor joint venture focused on brining affordable, high-tech focused vehicles to global markets outside China. Full story
XPENG’s AI-defined mobility vision take centre stage
XPENG, a leading Chinese hi-tech car company, has unveiled XPENG P7+, the world’s first AI-defined vehicle, at the Paris Motor Show. The P7+ integrates advanced AI technology across the chassis, powertrain, driving system, smart cockpit, enabling the vehicle to learn from individual users’ behaviors and preferences. Full story
BMW to launch its first hydrogen-powered production model in 2028
After successfully testing the BMW iX5 Hydrogen pilot fleet worldwide, the BMW Group is now preparing for series production of vehicles with hydrogen drive systems in 2028. The series production models will be integrated into BMW’s existing portfolio. Full story
VW Emergency Assist video goes viral
A Volkswagen video showing how its Emergency Assist brings a vehicle to a stop after the driver is no longer responding has been viewed more than 50 million times on TikTok in less than a week. Full story
People
- The industry is mourning the sad loss of Andy Sargent, a Volkswagen Group UK Paint and Body Technical and Quality manager from 1986-2010, who passed away at the weekend.
- Winn Group has appointed Lorna Turner to its Business Development team.
- Direct Line Group has announced that Jane Poole has joined the Group as Chief Financial Officer
- David Vella has been appointed as GT Motive UK Managing Director.
- Thatcham Research has announced that Richard Billyeald, Chief Research & Operations Officer, has been appointed as the Chairman of the RCAR Steering Committee.
- Ian Mooney has started a new position as Commercial Network & Supply Chain Manager at sopp+sopp.
- Thatcham Research has partnered with Nurole, the leading board-level search specialist, to find an inaugural Independent Chair.
- Anthony Griffiths has been appointed Fleet Business Development Manager for CUPRA SEAT.
- JLR has announced new appointments to its Executive Leadership Team, with Steve Marsh appointed Executive Director, Vehicle Programmes, Swarna Ramanathan stepping up as Chief Strategy Officer, and John Beswick named Chief Transformation and Performance Officer.
