Bodyshop Briefs
- Summers Accident Repair Centre has been chosen by the Marshall Group working alongside Auxillis as its preferred bodyshop to look after all their stores across Kent. As part of the agreement, Summers ARC will now service around 20 Marshall Group sites covering multiple brands. Read more
- Fix Auto UK has appointed its fourth repair centre in Northern Ireland, Fix Auto Greenisland.
- Turners Ripon has now been awarded the Tesla manufacturer approval.
- Shorade Cheltenham has been officially accredited as a Tesla Approved Repair Centre, following a successful audit in September.
- Carcomm Coachworks has been acquired by Steer Automotive Group, expanding its commercial vehicle repair services. Read more
- Nova Automotive has opened its new site in Colchester.
- Leighton Coachworks has joined the Fix Auto UK network to take the business to another level.
- Here we catch up with Jason Bond, Group Bodyshop Director at Drive Motor Retail, after Drive Vauxhall Bury St Edmunds recently won the Enterprise Repair Partner Award 2024for Best Customer Repair Partner – South East. Read more
Industry News
Unprecedented EV discounting shores up September new car market
The UK new car market rose 1.0% in the key ‘74’ plate change month of September, to 275,239 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In what is traditionally a bumper month for new car registrations, second only to March, the performance was the best since 2020, but still -19.8% off pre-Covid September 2019. Read more
Silverlake supports emergency services’ ‘Festival of Rescue’
Silverlake Automotive Recycling was a main supporter of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) when they hosted the UK’s biggest and most prestigious rescue competition on 27, 28 September. Expert teams of firefighters from 28 UK fire services and three international teams came to Portsmouth and Eastleigh to take part in the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) ‘Festival of Rescue’. Read more
Taking the partnership approach
Repairify Australia’s Global Director of Innovations Martin Brown has explained how partnering with Repairify gives collision repair workshops access to a comprehensive suite of OE tools, without the need for significant upfront investments. Read more
DCR Systems unveils PaintMatic
DCR Systems has introduced the PaintMatic, another cutting-edge machine crafted by its talented team in Portsmouth. It joins existing products H2O Blaster and DCR Pro. Read more
Nottingham College hosts ADAS course
Notttingham College recently hosted the IMI AOM230 accreditation course, designed for technicians working with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at Emtec College. The event was supported by Gemini ARC. Read more
Wales to host WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025
Venues across South Wales will host the annual WorldSkills UK Competition Finals from the 25 – 28 November, 2025. This marks the first time the event has been held in Wales. Read more
Leasys UK launches Accident Management and Fleet Safety services
Leasys UK has partnered with FMG to provide accident management and fleet safety services to its corporate customers. Available either as a combined service or separately, the new offerings will be available to corporate fleet customers with 25 vehicles or more, enhancing Leasys’ comprehensive fleet management solution. Read more
VM News
Leapmotor International opens orders in Europe
Designated Stellantis brand vehicle dealers throughout Europe are now playing a greater role in offering consumers clean, safe and affordable mobility by taking orders for Leapmotor fully electric vehicles, with deliveries set for later this year. The launch of dealer orders is a milestone for Leapmotor International, the 51:49 joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor. Read more
First images of Renault 4 E-Tech 100% Electric revealed
Renault has unveiled details of the Renault 4 E-Tech 100% electric’s exterior, in the buildup to its reveal during the Paris Motor Show on 14 October. Read more
Hyundai Motor hits major milestone with 100 million vehicles produced globally
Hyundai Motor Company celebrated a significant milestone, marking 100 million units of global cumulative production. This achievement was accomplished in just 57 years since the company’s foundation. Read more
BMW M Mixed Reality: New features to enhance the digital driving experience
The BMW Group is expanding its revolutionary driving experience with BMW M Mixed Reality, which breaks down the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds through state-of-the-art VR/MR technologies. The vehicle itself becomes the controller – a unique 3D interaction between driver, vehicle and environment. Read more
People
- Simon Mullin has started a new role as lead Supplier Relationship Manager at Hastings Direct
- James Tucker has been appointed as Senior Customer Motor Claims Manager at Covéa Insurance.
- Steer Automotive Group has appointed Anthony Green as Operations Manager.
- Cooper Barnes Automotive has named Lee Govier as new Bodyshop Manager.
- Luke White has been appointed as Bodyshop Manager at EV Bodyshops.
- Barbara Young has retired from Lloyd Bodyshop Newcastle after 25 years of service.
