Bodyshop Briefs
- Last month Steer Automotive Group launched its first Advanced Panel Apprentice training course in collaboration with supply partners LKQ Corporation.
- Autocraft Telford secured a 100% pass at its latest BSI audit.
- CarComm Coachworks has retained its NBRA Elite Truck and Van Standard and BS10125 certification.
- Coachwork Renovations has recently passed its latest BSi Kitemark BS10125 audit.
Industry News
Motor premiums fall for the first time in two years
The average motor insurance premium fell by 2% in April to June compared to the first quarter of 2024, according to the latest data from the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Read more
UK corporate car sales greener than many countries in Europe
New analysis by Transport & Environment has found that the UK is outperforming many European countries in the electrification of new corporate cars. Read more
Fix Auto UK announces HR partnership with Connor
Fix Auto UK has launched a unique partnership that will ensure each franchise partner has leading human resources support service. Read more
Global EV sales hit record highs in 2024
Since the beginning of 2024, it has been widely reported that EV sales are ‘slowing’, ‘falling’ or have even ‘crashed’ and this has become accepted as a truth. Read more
NBRA welcomes Solera Audatex as a gold supplier member
The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) and Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) have announced that Solera Audatex, one of the UK’s leading estimating software systems, has joined as a Gold Supplier member. Read more
3,000 EV technician shortfall predicted by 2031
The IMI’s latest EV TechSafe certification data shows that 58,800 technicians are now qualified to work on electric vehicles, representing 24% of the UK automotive workforce. Read more
Brake puts road victims at the heart of road safety week 2024
Brake has revealed the theme and dates for Road Safety Week, its biggest annual road safety campaign. Read more
Used EVs are now cheaper than petrol or diesel equivalents
HPI data shows that average retail prices of EVs are cheaper than petrol and diesel vehicles by around 8.5% at three years and rising to 14% at four years. Read more
AA Underwriting extends vehicle data partnership with Percayso
AA Underwriting Ltd has enhanced its data enrichment capabilities across its private motor insurance business by extending its existing relationship with Percayso Inform. Read more
Motor premiums fall – but 300,000 still driving without insurance
Whilst car insurance premiums have fallen for the first time in two years, the impact of rising costs year-on-year are still to hit those yet to renew their insurance in 2024. Read more
SYNETIQ signs recycling deal with Cyclic Materials
IAA company SYNETIQ is collaborating with Cyclic Materials to recycle electric motors. Read more
Chinese electric car giant deploys robot factory workers
A Chinese luxury electric car maker has deployed humanoid robots in its factories for the first time. Read more
Aluminium crisis hits car makers
Europe and beyond, particularly in the car industry, is facing a new crisis, namely that of aluminium. Read more
How government EV sales targets are forcing car makers to use drastic tactics to inflate numbers
Car makers are having to resort to tactics ‘not seen in the industry for 40 years’ in a ploy to increase EV sales in order to meet binding targets to set out by the Government, an industry insider has exclusively told This is Money. Read more
Morelli Group joins NBRA
Morelli Group has joined the NBRA as a Gold Supplier Member. Read more
EVs drive surge in used car sales
The UK’s used car market has grown for the sixth consecutive quarter, rising 7.2% in Q2, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Read more
SYNETIQ’s Fundraising Efforts Surpass £6,100
SYNETIQ, an IAA company and one of the UK’s leading integrated vehicle salvage, dismantling, and recycling companies, proudly announces the successful completion of the Tough Mudder challenge by its dedicated team. Read more
Page Automotive Group Joins NBRA as Newest Members
The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) is thrilled to welcome Page Automotive Group as our newest members. With eight sites across the south of the UK and over 100 years of history, Page Automotive Group has now been operating under new ownership since March 2022. Read more
VM News
Mercedes-Benz Vans launches ‘Vantasy Football’ to bring lonely van drivers together through sport
Mercedes-Benz Vans and ex-Sky Sports football pundit Chris Kamara today launch Vantasy Football, the UK’s first five-a-side football tournament to bring van drivers together through team sport to improve their mental wellbeing. Read more
JLR ups spending by £3bn to hedge against slowing EV uptake
JLR has increased its five-year investment plan from £15 billion to £18bn after the slower-than-predicted EV take-up forced it to boost spending on platforms that allow combustion engines as well as electric powertrains. Read more
Nissan, Honda join forces to research vehicle technologies
The two companies believe that software, autonomous driving, connectivity and AI will determine the value of vehicles in the future. Read more
Geely gains recognition as a global automotive innovation leader
Geely announces that it has been recognized as the most innovative automotive manufacturer group among Chinese brands and second in the world. Read more
Refreshed 2025 Acura RDX Gains Sophisticated New Styling, Cabin Updates and Enhanced Technology
Acura has introduced its refreshed RDX performance SUV that takes the brand’s popular 5-passenger SUV to an even higher level with sophisticated styling, updated cabin and enhanced technology. Read more
Mercedes-Benz to start testing Level 4 self-driving cars in China
Mercedes-Benz has received approval to test autonomous cars ranked at Level 4 on the SAE scale of self-driving capability in Beijing, making it the first foreign automaker permitted to conduct such trials in China. Read more
Power to the people carriers: sales launch for the new, all-electric Toyota Proace Verso and Proace City Verso
Toyota’s Proace Verso and Proace City Verso become all-electric model ranges for 2024, benefiting from technical upgrades that increase their driving range and new equipment features that provide additional safety functions and enhanced comfort and infotainment. Read more
People
- It is with great sadness that we announce the funeral of Gethyn Davies, which will take place on Friday, 30th August 2024.
- Kennedys is expanding its fraud practice with the appointment of partner Ruth Needham.
