Bodyshop briefs
- The five winners of Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) awards are: Arnold Clark Aberdeen; Fylde Coast ARC; Ipswich ARC; The Car Refurb Centre; and Alton Cars Hull.
- ECF Accident Repair Centre has secured a 100% NPS across all Volkswagen brands for three consecutive months.
- Steer Automotive Group has introduced a new skills competition to help prepare technicians for the IMI Skills Competition. The competition will focus on refinishing and repair.
- Drive Motor Retail has announced that Drive Redcar topped its Estimator League last year, which measures accuracy and performance.
Industry News
Industry mourns passing of ‘true gentleman’
The UK vehicle repair industry is mourning the loss of dedicated apprentice pioneer, Bob Linwood who sadly passed away on Wednesday 17 January 2024.
Bob was a driving force behind the founding of industry apprenticeship initiative Autoraise in 2015, a year later securing its recognition from the Charity Commission as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO). Bob was CEO of Autoraise until May 2021.
Dane Loosley, another industry stalwart, has also passed this week.
ILC and ARC360 would like to wish our condolences to both Bob and Dane’s families.
Steer secures Oakley investment
Steer Automotive Group has announced substantial new investment from Oakley Capital, a leading pan-European private equity investor.
Oakley will acquire the shares held by Keyhaven Capital Partners and Chiltern Capital while founder Richard Steer and the current management team will continue to lead the business.
Shortlist for What Car? Safety Awards revealed
Thatcham Research has announced the five-car shortlist for the What Car? Safety Award 2024.
Selected by judges based on Euro NCAP test scores as well as passive and active safety technology, the shortlist includes the BMW 5 Series, BYD SEAL, Lexus RZ, Mercedes EQE SUV, and Volkswagen ID.7.
Car insurance premiums soar by 58%
Average car insurance premiums rose by 58% in the last 12 months to £995.
According to the latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index, produced in association with WTW, the 58% rise represents an increase of £366 and means premiums have risen for nine consecutive quarters.
White shades black in colour charts
BASF has identified a significant colour shift in car popularity, with white still number one but experiencing a notable decrease in market share.
Meanwhile, its 2023 BASF Colour Report revealed that chromatic colours such as red, blue, brown and beige have remained stable, with a 19% market share.
S&G backs school racing team
S&G is sponsoring Exhausted Racing at Wilmslow High School, helping the team to design, create, market, and race in regional, national and international inter-school competitions.
EV repair costs edge above £3k
Gecko data has revealed that average BEV repairs costs have risen to £3,012, with labour costs at £628 and repair times stretching to 27 days.
Meanwhile, it found there were 968,528 BEVs on UK roads at the end of December.
Innovation tackles deepening pothole problem
Nearly 630,000 potholes were reported across the UK from January to November last year, costing drivers upwards of £500m in repairs.
However, innovation such as self-healing roads and digital maps could soon be available to tackle the issue.
NBRA confirms Greener Bodyshop Awards date
The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) has announced that the 2024 Greener Body Shop Awards (GBSA) will take place at the Coventry Building Society Arena on 10 September.
The awards recognise the businesses that have made great strides towards sustainability and introducing greener initiatives.
London traffic worst in the world
London traffic is the slowest in the world, according to a new report published by TomTom.
Its annual traffic index revealed that average speeds decreased in 228 of the 387 cities it analysed, with a typical 10k drive in London now taking 37 minutes and 20 seconds.
BenBus on the road
Automotive industry charity Ben has unveiled its new BenBus, a branded VW Transporter campervan which will raise awareness of the support it offers to those who have worked or are working in the sector.
The Ben on the road team will be visiting sites around the UK to showcase the van and promote the charity’s services.
Avant unveils new logo and website
Avant Consult has continued a major rebrand by unveiling its new logo and updated and upgraded website.
Stellantis announces updated EV training
Stellantis has announced that delegates can now book their places on the IMI-accredited Morelli Eyebox Training Centre Courses.
Modules include Introductory Awareness Courses designed for customer service teams, drivers, and non-production staff, as well as advanced Electric/Hybrid Vehicle Awareness Levels 1 & 3 courses.
Auto Windscreens signs digital deal with AA
Auto Windscreens has signed a digital claims partnership with The AA, enabling customers to arrange a glass repair or replacement online or via The AA’s app.
Dedicated AFV course set for February
Park Lodge International and Jeff Mack Consultancy will host its next safety course around Alternative Fuelled Vehicles on 6 February.
The eight-hour, IMI-accredited course will take place in Burnley, focusing on three key areas around AFVs: on-scene assessment of battery damage and potential risks; the safe repair of AFVs with high voltage battery damage; the safe storage of damaged AFVs at repair sites.
VM news
Tesla defends Autopilot safety standards
Tesla has hit back at media reports critical of its Autopilot technology, arguing that many of the articles lacked context.
It said that data proved its cars were far safer when Autopilot was engaged, revealing that just one crash for every 4.85 million miles was recorded under Autopilot in the fourth quarter of 2022, compared to one crash for every 1.4 million miles driven without it.
Ford launches new gen cruise control
Ford has introduced new generation Adaptive Cruise Control technology to its best-selling Kuga SUV. The system is now able to apply the brakes automatically for curves, junctions and other traffic.
Stellantis signs with SIXT
Stellantis has signed a multi-billion-pound deal with SIXT which could see the mobility service provider buy up to 250,000 Stellantis vehicles in the next three years.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer is investing in Tiamat to support the further development and commercialisation of sodium-ion battery technology.
Hyundai announces Ohme partnership
Hyundai Motor UK has announced a new partnership with smart home charging business Ohme as it continues to develop its elecrification strategy.
People
- Dominic Clayden is stepping down as CEO of the Motor Insurers’ Bureau.
- Repairify has appointed Santiago Malbran as Business Development Director to drive expansion across Europe.
- Toyota (GB) has appointed Richard Balshaw to the role of Director, Strategy, Business Transformation and People.
- Graham Connell has been named Group Commercial Director at Alton Cars.
- Avant Consult has appointed Hayley Ennis as Volkswagen Group Paint and Body Team Manager.
- Dominic Czechak has joined Verisk as Strategic Account Director.
- Komoo has named Cary Clark as new Territory Manager.
