What an EV future might look like
While there remains some negativity towards electric vehicles and some doubt that they will own the future exclusively, EV Bodyshops and The Novo Group have proven that whatever challenges the technology presents can be overcome.
Adam Thurman, Managing Director, EV Bodyshops, and James Allenby, Managing Director, The Novo Group, took part in a session, What an EV future looks like, at ARC360’s specialist EV event, The EV-olution, at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry.
Copart Ecologi milestone
Copart has underscored its Plan-Net-Zero commitment by planting more than 1,000 trees as part of the Ecologi platform.
The trees have been planted in the UK, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, Senegal, and Ethiopia.
AEG update
Audatex has announced its latest AudaEnterprise Gold data release, which adds 99 new and updated model sheets to its vehicle database.
Alongside cars and motorbikes, these also include a large number of HGV commercial vehicles, with labour times, part numbers and paint and material costs now available.
Finalists revealed for Greener Bodyshop Awards
The NBRA and VBRA have announced the finalists for the fourth Greener Bodyshop Awards, which take place on 14 September.
The award categories are Greener Bodyshop Award, Bodyshop Staff Wellbeing Award, Environmental Innovation Award, Diversity and Inclusion Award, Outstanding Support for Bodyshop Award, Carbon Footprint Award, Carbon Footprint Year-on-Year Improver Award, Charity Award, Pride of Bodyshop Award and NBRA Special Award.
Colleagues take on Tour de Mind charity ride
A group of seven automotive and insurance professionals will ride 1,185 miles from Oxford to Spain to raise money for mental health charities Mind and Young Mind.
Taking part in Tour de Mind are Victoria Turner, Pablo Linares Lopez, Martyn Rowley, Mark Stuart, Lee Wallbank, Chace Gittings, Kelly Clarke, Martin Anderton and Tim Pepper.
Engines rev up for AutoRaise Rally
Contestants are revving up for the start of the AutoRaise Rally, which will follow a route through East Anglia and the Lincolnshire Wolds from 7-9 September.
Among those taking part are Ian Brown and Steve Warwick from Solera Audatex, who will drive a Mini Cooper being reconditioned by apprentices as James Alpe repair centre.
Yoga and Ageas extend partnership
Online broker Yoga Insurance is now offering Ageas van insurance to its customers. Yoga and Ageas already have a partnership in place to provide private car insurance to customers.
LTN’s impacting recruitment and retention
Low Traffic Neighbourhoods are having a negative impact on recruitment, staff retention and vehicle logistics.
That is according to Matt Boscott, Manager of Motofix Oxford, who was speaking at the group’s half-year review.
Repairers setting the standard
Underlining the industry’s commitment to safe repairs and outstanding service, four more bodyshops are celebrating passing the BS 10125 vehicle repair standard.
They are Sunderland-based C & C Vehicle Services, Fix Auto UK Litchfield, Motofix Accident Repair Centres in Cirencester, and Wolverhampton-based Hodson and Son.
UK-first for D Gawthrope ACR
Yorkshire repairer D Gawthrope ACR has become the first Mercedes-Benz MirrorCam calibration centre in the UK after installing the Haweka AXIS4000 wheel alignment system and CMC4000 Chassis measuring system.
‘There’s More to Motor’
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is launching a social media campaign to attract new talent to the industry by highlighting the career opportunities available to school leavers, graduates and those changing careers.
‘There’s More to Motor’ will see those already working in the sector sharing their career experiences.
Car Care Plan acquires Verex
Verex Insurance Services and Verex Assistance have been acquired by Car Care Plan after entering into administration on 18 August.
Car Care Plan will take over all services previously provided by Verex.
Polestar registrations soar by 174%
Polestar is the fastest growing car brand in the UK in the first seven months of the year.
Registrations have soared by 174% compared to 2022, with more than 20,000 Polestar 2 models now on UK roads.
GM to introduce V2H charging tech to EVs
General Motors has announced it will introduce vehicle-to-home (V2H) charging technology to electric vehicles by 2026.
The 2024 Chevrolet Silverado EV RST will be the first model to receive the technology, followed by the 2024 GMC Sierra EV Denali, 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, 2024 Chevrolet Equinox EV, 2024 Cadillac LYRIQ and the Cadillac ESCALADE IQ.
Entries open for Self-driving Industry Awards
Entries for the inaugural Self-driving Industry Awards are now open.
Presented by Cars of the Future, the awards recognise excellence in the following categories: Hardware, Software, V2X, Design, Aftermarket, Insurance, Legal, Research, Testing, and Trust.
FMG to cut ribbon on new site
FMG Repair Services has announced it will open a new 24,000 sqft flagship repair centre in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
The company’s 65th UK site will open next month and take the group’s annual repair capacity to beyond 100,000 vehicles.
Father and son announce fourth Fix Auto UK site
Fix Auto UK franchisees Stephen and Sam Smith will expand operations with their fourth site.
Fix Auto South Leeds, a new 10,000 sqft repair centre, is expected to be operational by the middle of next month, joining the father and son’s existing sites Fix Auto Leeds North, Fix Auto Keighley and Fix Auto Bradford South.
People
Lee Berrell has been named Head of Product, Performance and Motrio at Renault Group.
