The Credit Hire Conundrum
Compromise and trust are fundamental if the industry is going to create a revised and relevant General Terms Agreement (GTA) that meets the needs of today and ends the long-running friction that exists between insurers and credit hire companies.
That was the verdict of a panel discussion, ‘The Credit Hire Conundrum,’ which took place during ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference.
Gemini unveils new Luton LV Sole Site
Gemini Accident Repair Centres Ltd unveiled the 32nd site in its expanding network during an official opening ceremony on 17 October in Luton.
Gemini Luton – the networks eighth LV= Sole Site Repairer – is headed up by highly respected industry name Mo Givian and the opening ceremony was attended by members of the Gemini ARC senior management team, leading representatives from LV=, as well as Gemini supply partners Axalta and Repairify.
Copart supporting Luton Airport fire vehicle recovery
Copart’s CAT Response Team is recovering vehicles damaged by the fire at Luton Airport to its incident management site in Corby, where they will be stored, inspected and processed for insurance and automotive customers.
New car sales healthy but used car demand weakens
The latest data from cap hpi has revealed an uptick in registrations of new vehicles while demand for used cars is dampening, with prices softening accordingly.
New report makes business case for upskilling
A new report by Ennis & Co Group has revealed the financial benefits of investing in automotive skills.
The report, ‘The Cost of your Skills Gap’, found that automotive businesses who invest in training can expect a three per cent increase in annual turnover compared to a four per cent drop for those who do not address the skills gap in their organisation.
Euro Car Parts team reunites at GSF Car Parts
Former Euro Car Parts executives Sukhpal Ahluwalia and Steve Horne have reunited as Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at GSF Car Parts.
They plan to add a significant number of new branches over the coming years, strengthen its e-commerce offering, and rejuvenate its delivery fleet. They will also expand its range of products for electric vehicles.
IMI identifies ADAS skills gap
New data published by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has identified an existing 18,000-ADAS technician shortfall.
It predicts that about 10% of UK cars will feature Level 2 autonomy by the end of the year, rising to 50% by 2030, however there are only around 3,500 ADAS-qualified technicians in the UK today.
Chaplane celebrates PAS 2060 certification
Chaplane Accident Repair Centre has secured PAS 2060 status, underlining its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and minimising the environmental impact of vehicle repairs.
SYNETIQ secures ISO recertifications
Leading vehicle salvage, dismantling and recycling company SYNETIQ has achieved recertification across a number of ISO standards.
The IAA company has been recertified for ISO 27001 for information security management systems, for ISO 9001 for Quality Management, ISO 45001 for Health and Safety and ISO 14001 for Environmental Management.
BASF unveils green innovations
BASF experts showcased its latest e-mobility innovations at the R-M Refinish Competence Center in France recently, including its Citroen Oli concept car and new materials to enhance electric batteries.
Golden Windscreens adopts Repairify ADAS tech
Repairify has completed the installation of its digital ADAS system at Golden Windscreens, enabling the site to handle forward collision camera, front/rear radar, and 360 camera recalibration in-house.
SMMT urges government to unlock CAM windfall
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has urged the government to clear the path for the UK to capitalise on a potential £66bn connected and automated mobility windfall by 2040.
In a new report, Connected and automated mobility: The UK economic and market opportunities, the SMMT is calling on government to remove all barriers to regulatory reform while at the same time developing a strategy to support private sector investment and innovation.
OUTSORC secures UAE training partnership
OUTSORC is supporting new partners Al Ghandi Auto in developing a new digital core service process for its aftersales teams in the UAE.
The Excellence Programme will enable Al Ghandi Auto management to identify training needs and deliver targeted training and coaching sessions.
Axalta named BMW supplier
Axalta has been named as the exclusive supplier for BMW Group’s private paint label, ColorSystem.
The agreement applies to 15 European countries and South Africa, and also includes BMW’s network of 730 dealerships and collision repair partners.
Cazoo reports record profit per unit and improved cash position
The online car retailer Cazoo has announced its financial results for the third quarter of 2023, showing a significant improvement in its unit economics and cash position.
The company achieved a new record retail gross profit per unit of £1,470 in Q3, up 14% from the previous quarter and 201% from the same period last year.
DS Automobiles integrates ChatGPT
DS Automobiles, the premium brand of Stellantis, has introduced a new feature to its line-up: a digital travel assistant powered by ChatGPT.
The feature, which is integrated with DS IRIS SYSTEM, allows drivers to interact with their cars using voice commands and receive personalised responses.
Fix Auto UK gears up for 2024 conference
Tickets and sponsorship packages are now available for the 2024 Fix Auto UK National Conference, which will take place at The Vox Conference Centre within the National Exhibition Centre complex from 8-9 May.
Silverlake invests in EV storage facilities
Silverlake Automotive Recycling, which is part of the e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management network, has invested in bespoke lithium-ion battery storage containers as part of its fire risk assessment and mitigation strategy.
Mercedes tops SMMT disposal figures
SMMT has published data showing the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in September that were defined as pre-registrations.
It found that Mercedes disposed of 647 vehicles with a value of more than £22m, while Nissan disposed of 90 vehicles with a combined value of £2.7m.
LKQ partners International Rescue Committee
LKQ is partnering with the International Rescue Committee, a global non-profit organisation that helps people affected by humanitarian crises. LKQ will directly support the IRC’s work in over 40 crisis-affected countries.
Car output surges in September
UK car manufacturing rose by 39.8% in September to 88,230 vehicles.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this this is 25,105 more than the same month last year and means the industry has produced 659,901 units year to date – some 14.9% above the same period in 2022.
Steer joins Porsche party
Steer Automotive Group has been invited to help Porsche celebrate its 75th anniversary by taking part in the Porsche Art Challenge. It will showcase its designs and the skills of its technicians.
Connecting claims through technology
A motor claims journey involves many parties and even more moving parts, meaning the potential for confusion, delays and customer dissatisfaction is high.
However, technology has the capacity to ease the pressure by creating a transparent, integrated ecosystem than links every stakeholder.
Here, CAPS and e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management explain how sharing data with the right people at the right time can cut costs, delight the customer, and even benefit the environment.
People
Thatcham Research has announced key appointments to its engineering team, with Yousif Al-Ani named Principal Engineer – ADAS, and Dan Harrowell Principal Engineer, Advanced Technologies.
Tesla has appointed Craig Rookyard as Body Repair Tooling and Equipment Specialist for European Tesla Bodyshops.
Billy Jemmett has been named Key Account Manager CV for AkzoNobel.
First Central has appointed Ian Pratt as Engineering Manager.
Mark Rimmer has been named Workshop Controller at CARS of Grimsby.
Evolution Repair Group has appointed Helen Wesolowski as new Northern Operations Director.
