Key repairers subscribe to ARC360 conference
Some of the leading lights within the repair community have already confirmed their attendance at this years ‘future vehicle technology’ themed ARC360 conference taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry.
Consumer Intelligence to kick start New Generation discussions
Catherine Carey, Head of Marketing at Consumer Intelligence is set to kick-start ILC’s New Generation in Claims Conference 2024 by revealing research findings centred on careers in insurance.
Titled ‘Perception Vs reality: redefining careers in insurance’ the session will explore the contrast between how current insurance professionals view their careers and the common misconceptions held by outsiders.
Bodyshop Briefs
- Accident Express Direct is transitioning to BS 10125:2022 after receiving a positive recommendation.
- Steer Automotive Group won the People Team of the Year Award at the British HR Awards. The group was shortlisted in three categories.
- Llandudno-based Hefin Jones Vehicle Body Repairs has passed its first BS10125 audit.
- Komoo Wigan has secured BS 10125:2022 certification after achieving 100% compliance.
Industry News
Repair market facing over-supply issue
New insight from Trend Tracker suggests that after a period of capacity challenges in vehicle repair, the market could be about to enter a new phase.
It says a combination of greater investment in the sector coupled with falling demand could create a dynamic where supply outstrips demand, although it warns that the continued skills crisis could go some way to balancing that in the coming years as the industry struggles to attract the 107,000 EV technicians and 25,000 ADAS technicians that will be needed by 2030.
EV values continuing to fall
A new white paper into the UK used car market has revealed a dramatic fall in EV prices compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts.
The INDICATA Market Watch found a 20% fall in used EV prices in just six months during 2023, meaning they began 2024 more than 42% cheaper than both used petrol and used diesel cars.
New voices wanted for Diversity Group
The IMI is looking for more people to join its Diversity Task Force Working Group. Members will have the opportunity help shape the future of the industry by taking part in group meetings and sharing examples of best practice.
Plastrepair celebrates IMI approval
Plastrepair, which develops speciality tools and materials for plastic repairs in the vehicle repair sector, has announced that its training programme has now secured IMI approval.
MIB tackles uninsured driving
The Motor Insurers’ Bureau has launched a new initiative in collaboration with police forces to remove uninsured drivers from the road.
In the first of a series of one-day operations, it worked with officers from South Wales, Gwent, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, and Thames Valley Police to seize a number of uninsured vehicles from motorways across the region.
FCA warns of unexpected DCA costs
The FCA has written to motor finance firms urging them to maintain the financial resources needed to absorb the costs of discretionary commission arrangements (DCA), following its own review into the issue.
This includes planning for any additional operational costs from increased complaints and meeting the costs of resolving those complaints.
HELLA launches IMI-approved academy
HELLA has unveiled its new IMI-approved academy at its Chipping Warden head office.
The state-of-the-are facility provides classroom-based learning with hands-on workshop training.
Last day of AWE24
The inaugural Automotive Work Experience Week concludes today.
Introduced jointly by the Institute of the Motor Industry, School of Thought Automotive and Autotech Academy, the initiative is urging all employers to play their part in fighting the skills crisis by committing to a week’s work placement for at least one young person this year.
Inchcape sells retail operations
Inchcape is selling its UK retail operations to Group 1 Automotive for £346m as part of its strategy to become a distribution-focused business.
The deal includes more than 80 forecourts and is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter.
EVs and petrol to dominate car sales by 2027
A new report predicts that EVs will make up 34% of all new car sales by 2027, with 701,893 registrations compared to 722,537 (35%) petrol sales. Diesel meanwhile will plummet to just three per cent.
According to Cox Automotive’s Fuel Type Forecast, petrol cars will however still dominate used car sales (62%), ahead of diesel (30%), with EVs languishing on a 5.9% market share.
SMMT wins workplace gold
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has gained gold accreditation from Investors in People (IIP), recognising it as one of the best places in the UK to work.
Just 17% of organisations seeking IIP accreditation secure gold.
BASF collaborates on hybrid hypercar battery
BASF has collaborated with RML Group to develop an immersion-cooled battery for a high-performance hybrid hypercar. It features a capacity of 4.2 kWh and weighs less than 75kg.
Meanwhile, the company has been named as a 2023 Supplier of the Year by General Motors (GM), making it the 17th time in 32 years it has won the accolade.
BASF has also emphasised how its innovative engineering solutions can support manufacturers meet sustainability targets around recyclability and low product carbon footprint.
Tyre recycling service cutting costs by 30%
Purchase Direct has introduced a new waste tyre collection and disposal service through its sister company, Outsourced Waste, which is delivering savings of over 30%.
BIBA and NOVO unveil EV insurance solution
The British Insurance Brokers’ Association and NOVO have launched a new motor insurance scheme that offers BIBA members like-for-like replacement mobility, access to EV-qualified repairers, and specialist EV claims management.
NFDA survey shows VM relationships trending upwards
The relationship between dealers and manufacturers is on an upward curve, according to the winter edition of the NFDA’s Dealer Attitude Survey.
Carried out between January and March, the survey attracted 2,321 responses with average scores up in 47 of the 56 questions.
VM News
JLR unveils BESS in class
JLR has partnered with energy storage start-up Allye Energy to develop a new portable Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that can store 270kWh of energy, the equivalent of nearly a month’s worth of power for the average UK home.
Nissan on course to deliver all-solid-state batteries
Nissan aims to launch EVs with all-solid-state batteries by 2028 and has shown off the production line in Japan where they will be developed.
All-solid-state batteries will have twice the energy density as lithium-ion batteries, will offer shorter charging times and lower costs.
Polestar cuts emissions by nine per cent per car
Polestar’s first sustainability report has revealed that emissions per car sold last year were down by nine per cent, while the company cut absolute emissions by five per cent.
People
- Avant Group has appointed Mark Adkins as new Technical Project Manager.
- Danielle Fenwick has joined the customer care team at 1st Choice ARC.
- FMG (Fleet) has named Helen Keenan as Account Director.
- WhoCanFixMyCar has appointed Amada Webb as Chief Finance Officer and Craig Livings as Chief Technology Officer.
