Bodyshop briefs
- Fix Auto UK has announced that South Wales repairer Select Accident Repair Centre has joined its network and will now operate as Fix Auto Neath.
- Fix Auto Basingstoke owner Dale Morris has opened his second repair centre and the first within Fix Auto UK’s network solely dedicated to repairing vans, LCVs and motorhomes.
- Turners Accident Repair has opened its new 20,000 sqft Sheffield site, featuring three new commercial spraybooths and a full Car-O-Liner structural aluminium repair facility.
- Steer Automotive Group has established an ESG Committee to champion sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance.
Industry News
ARC360 partners with Repairify for ADAS roundtable
ARC360, in partnership with Repairify, hosted an ADAS roundtable discussion on Wednesday 23 January supported by a number of key insurers. The session explored the current status of the market and discussed a number of key areas of challenge and opportunity all through the lens of enhancing the overall claims process for all stakeholders in future.
A full overview of the event – using Chatham House Rules – will be released in the coming weeks.
ARC360 heads to Thatcham Research for BYD event
ARC360 attended the BYD product showcase event hosted by Thatcham Research on Thursday 24 January. The insightful day included an up close and personal look at BYD products, a ride experience and a deep dive into BYD global, along with plans for the UK.
A full review of the day will be available in the coming weeks.
Enterprise Mobility publishes ESG successes
Enterprise Mobility has released its latest Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) report.
Highlights include 20,000 colleagues being promoted or moved to new roles globally in the last year, £66m donated to charitable organisations, and an estimated 1,526 tons of glass recycled and 5,467 tones of materials from tyres recycled in North America alone.
Activate Group secures Elysian Capital investment
Activate Group will expand its accident repair network with four new sites this year after securing major investment from Elysian Capital.
As part of the deal, Elysian Capital partner James Cunningham becomes chairman, while Activate Group co-founder Hannah Wilcox remains CEO.
Grey shades black and white
Grey is still the most popular colour for car buyers with a market share of 26.8%, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Black and white are the second and third most popular choices, meaning 63.5% of all new cars joining UK roads in 2023 were monochrome.
Car thefts up five per cent
New data has found that a car was stolen in Britain every eight minutes and 12 seconds last year.
A total of 64,087 cars were reported stolen to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency in 2023, up from 61,106 the previous year, representing a five per cent increase.
BASF to deliver battery recycling solution to Iveco
Iveco Group has selected BASF to provide a recycling solution for the lithium-ion batteries of the group’s electric vehicles.
The agreement includes the collection, packaging, transport, and recycling of batteries in European countries including France, Germany and UK.
Government shelves plans to extend MOTs
The UK government has announced that plans to extend the MOT testing periods will not be introduced.
It had been considering extending the first test after registration from three years to four years, and extending the gap between MOT tests thereafter from one year to two years.
NBRA calls for urgent in-vehicle legislation
The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) has called for urgent European legislation around access to in-vehicle data.
As part of the Association Internationale des Réparateurs en Carrosserie (AIRC), it has signed a letter to the European Commission calling for sector-specific legislation on access to in-vehicle data, functions, and resources.
Vehicle production exceeds the million milestone
UK production topped one million vehicles last year for the first time since before the pandemic.
According to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 905,117 cars and 120,357 commercial vehicles were produced in 2023 for a combined total of 1,025,474.
School of Thought gearing up for #AWE24
School of Thought will be hosting its first ever work experience week for automotive from 15-19 April.
#AWE24 aims to inspire the next generation to join the sector through advice, skills development, and first-hand experience of the industry.
Global Ardour acquisition enhances recycling capabilities
Global Metcorp and Ardour World have acquired Recycling Lives Group, one of the UK’s leading recycling companies.
The acquisition, which includes two full recycling facilities at Preston and Hitchin, will support Global and Ardour diversify operations into complete waste management.
PartsXChange launches desktop solution
Bodyshop marketplace PartsXChange has unveiled the desktop version of its application, which includes new features such as a bulk search option.
QuestGates confirms CMA acquisition
QuestGates has strengthened its position in the motor claims sector with the acquisition of Claims Management & Adjusting, which deals with all types of specialist vehicle claims including high-value RTC related fraud investigations.
NFDA calls for automotive Budget boost
The NFDA has urged the government to provide greater support to the automotive industry in its Spring Budget.
In a letter to Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, it has called for Apprenticeship Levy reform and customer incentives to drive electric vehicle uptake.
VM news
Lexus celebrates What Car? treble
The Lexus LBX has been named the What Car? Car of the Year 2024. It also collected the Small SUV of the Year award, while Lexus won the Reliability Award for the seventh year in a row.
Suzuki celebrates CSI success
Suzuki GB topped the automotive rankings in the latest UK CSI report produced by the Institute of Customer Service for the eighth time out of the last 11.
Stellantis signs CloudMade IP deal
Stellantis has acquired the artificial intelligence framework, machine learning models and intellectual property rights and patents of CloudMade, which develops big data-driven automotive solutions.
The deal will support Stellantis ambitions to deliver enhanced in-car services and gain deeper data-based insights.
Tesla production up 38%
Tesla manufactured about 495,000 vehicles in the final quarter of 2023, with production across the year up 38% to 1.85 million units.
People
- The IMI has revealed the shortlists for its annual awards. Among those in line to win the Automotive 30% Club’s Inspiring Automotive Women’s award are Alena Woolacott, Finance Director at Fix Auto Mid Devon & Newton Abbot, Stephanie Brindley, Area Operations Leader at SOLUS, and Kellie Smith, UK Remarketing Account Manager (Commercial Vehicles) at Enterprise Mobility.
- Christopher O’Rourke has been appointed as the Managing Director for LKQ Bodyshop, succeeding Andy Southby, who has moved to Chief Commercial Officer for the LKQ UK and Ireland Group.
- Sedgwick UK has appointed Joseph Ashworth as Head of Motor.
- Dave Wozniak has been named Network Compliance Manager for the Avant Consult VWG Paint and Body Team.
- Komoo has announced that Cary Clark has joined the business as Territory Manager.
- Bianca Dubiel has been named Network Relationship Program Manager at LKQ Corporation.
- Dave Dolan has started a new position as Vehicle Body Repair Manager at Herd Group.
- ABL 1 Touch Group has named Andrew Goodings as Senior Product Manager.
- Andy Pedrick has been namedGroup Support Manager at Steer Automotive Group.
- Toyota (GB) plc has appointed Richard Balshaw to the new role of Director, Strategy, Business Transformation and People.
