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March 2022 webinARC: Vehicle Technology
In this webinARC we hear from vehicle manufacturer, repairer and service provider to explore the ever-evolving world of vehicle technology and what it means for repair management.
Featuring:
- Andrew Hooker, Head of Technical, Solus Accident Repair Centres
- Franco Iannotta, Bodyshop Development Manager, Volkswagen Group UK
- Phil Peace, Managing Director (International), Repairify Inc
NBRA comment provokes £11m rate uplift
The NBRA has reported that its Repairer Market Comment in January has resulted in an estimated £11m uplift in annual rates.
The comment, sent directly to motor insurers, accident management companies and CHOs, highlighted the challenges facing repairers in a post-covid environment, such as a five-week delay in booking in driveable vehicles due to staff and parts shortages, a lack of mobility options and payment delays.
The NBRA said, “We believe that changes just in the last week will positively impact the repair industry to the tune of £11m per year which is a real step in the right direction.”
Summers secures EV certification
Summers Motors has become one of the first bodyshops in the UK to be certified as a VW Group EV specialist repairer.
Accreditation comes after a significant investment in both skills and equipment and confirms Summers’ position as a UK repairer of repute committed to the safe repair of modern vehicles.
AutoVogue take major step on road to recovery
AutoVogue Accident Repair Centre has passed its British Standards Kitemark Audit. This represents a major triumph for the Norfolk-based bodyshop as it continues to recover from the severe fire that damaged its facilities last July.
Managing director Lee Johnson said certification was the result of nine months of hard work and commitment from the whole AutoVogue team.
Bumper week for DLG Auto Services
DLG Auto Services is celebrating after its Edinburgh site secured body and paint approval from BMW/Mini. The news comes just a week after it passed its BSI audit.
Edinburgh Site Manager Brian Kerrigan said, “Massive thanks to Brian Carson, Hari Nair, Scott MacDonald and Garry Turner, and also a big shout out to all of our technicians who completed the necessary qualifications and everyone back at the branch who put in the hard yards to accommodate the reduced resource.”
DLG Auto Services comprises 22 sites throughout the UK, handling 90,000 repairs each year.
Fix Auto conference faces the future
Fix Auto’s National Conference 2022 – Facing the Future – focused on the realities of today’s evolving business environment, fraught with challenge but also plentiful in opportunity.
Speaking at the first Fix Auto UK conference since 2019, when part of the key focus was on the outcome of Brexit, Ian Pugh, Fix Auto UK Managing Director, highlighted how against an extremely challenging recent history the franchise had continued to go from strength-to-strength.
Feature interview: Laura Richards, eBay
eBay – sponsor of ARC360’s sustainability themed month of January – has already established itself as a leading player in the parts supply space. Here, Laura Richards, Senior Business Development Manager, Vehicle Parts and Accessories, explains how the provision of green parts is becoming a growing focus for the company, and how it plans to develop both range and supply efficiency of reclaimed parts.
Audatex appoints new Implementation Manager
Audatex has announced that Andrew Kennewell has been appointed Implementation Manager for its bodyshop management solution, PlanManager.
He joins from Haynes Ford, where he was Assistant Bodyshop Manager and ATA-accredited Vehicle Damage Assessor.
AutoRaise celebrates International Women’s Day
AutoRaise marked International Women’s Day (8 March 2022) by highlighting the successes of female apprentices and leaders in the industry, while also raising awareness of the challenges women continue to face.
International Women’s Day has been promoting positive change in both industry and society for more than a century, and this year takes place under the banner, #BreakTheBias.
NWVA joins the Premiership
Nationwide Vehicle Assistance will become West Ham United’s official vehicle collision recovery and storage management partner.
Nationwide Vehicle Assistance provides services for insurance companies, motor manufacturers and collision aftercare companies from its 14 depots across the UK and Europe. It has the accreditation, equipment and experience to handle everything from motorcycles to heavy goods vehicles.
IMI hero wins diversity award
IMI has announced that Competitions Manager Richard Hutchins has secured the WorldSkills Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Hero award for the second year in a row.
The diversity accolade, which recognises individuals and organisations championing diversity and inclusion within the business and technical education sectors, comes on the eve of the launch of the 2022 Skills Competitions.
Fraudulent claims on the rise
Insurance services group Markerstudy has announced that it prevented upwards of 2,500 fraudulent motor claims last year alone, saving the industry about £25m.
However, it warns of an upsurge in motor fraud driven by the rising cost of living. It is urging insurers to make use of technology to provide greater protection against false claims, such as GPS location software and dash-cams.
Allan Peak, Head of Claims Counter Fraud at Markerstudy, said, “New technology is providing irrefutable evidence.”
Listen up…
Podcast Series 4, episode 2: Making the Connection – Amy Brettell, Zurich Insurance UK
In this episode, we catch up with Amy Brettell, Head of Customer, UK Claims, Zurich Insurance UK.
