Market dynamics: 2022 and beyond
It seems that for a decade or more the familiar refrain within the industry has been that it’s changed more in the past five years than the previous 50.
Before Covid-19, the rapid development of technology was the prime driver of that change.
While that is still true, the pandemic has thrown a raft of new disrupting dynamics into the mix – many of which appear to be here for the long term.
Fix Auto UK reaches Trustpilot landmark
Fix Auto UK has become the only vehicle body repair network in the UK to record 10,000 customer reviews on Trustpilot.
Franchise partners collectively have achieved an ‘excellent’ customer service rating, with an average score of 4.6.
Safest cars of 2022 revealed
Thatcham Research has revealed what it considers to be the safest models released last year.
As the lead contributor to the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP), it has reported that all the cars tested during the past 12 months scored at least a four-star safety rating for the first time in the programme’s history, with 80% receiving the highest five-star accolade.
EV sales outstrip diesel in record year
Battery electric vehicles outsold diesel for the first time ever in 2022.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, EVs comprised 16.6% of all new registrations last year after claiming their largest ever monthly market share in December (32.9%).
Gemini goes live with new website
Gemini has followed up the unveiling of its new logo by going live with a revamped and refreshed website.
The website is accessible from any digital device and includes a new ‘Connect with our branches’ section to enable users to quickly and easily find their nearest Gemini site.
Motor premiums continue steady climb
Average motor insurance premiums have increased 17.4% in the last 12 months.
Data released by Consumer Intelligence found that the average motor premium has now risen to £877, which represents a rise of 32.3% since Consumer Intelligence first started recording prices in October 2013.
IMI calls for renewed focus on EV training
The IMI has urged the industry not to let the economic downturn reduce focus on EV training.
Its data has revealed that 16% of the sector is now IMI TechSafe qualified, with more than 11,500 technicians undergoing the training in the first nine months of 2022. However, it has noticed that the pace of training is waning.
Enterprise agrees Geotab partnership
Enterprise has signed an agreement to become an authorised Geotab reseller in the UK, France, Germany, Spain and the Republic of Ireland.
As part of the deal, Enterprise customers will be able to fit Geotab’s telematics fleet management solutions across all their vehicles, regardless of whether they are rented, leased or owned.
Chesterfield College enhances EV training
Chesterfield College has invested in an electric vehicle to further develop its training capabilities.
With the support of Stoneacre Motor Group and Samuel Smart it has acquired a fully electric Peugeot E 208 GT Premium, enabling students to benefit from practical learning.
WorldSkills CEO reveals apprenticeship focus
WorldSkills UK CEO Neil Bentley-Gockmann has said that an apprenticeship roundtable hosted by Edge/SDS highlighted three areas critical to future skills entering the industry.
He said it was agreed that the apprenticeship system needs to be more flexible to respond to changing skills needs, that there needs to be an increased focus on general yet essential employability skills, and more needs to be done to promote apprenticeships to diverse groups to develop greater equality within the workforce.
People
Avant Repair Network has named Chris Ryder as Managing Director.
Rob Pugh has started a new position as Commercial Director at Fix Auto UK.
Derren Wootton has been appointed as Bodyshop Manager at MG Accident Repair Centre.
Colin Drain has announced his retirement after nearly 27 years at BASF Automotive Refinish. He has been Regional Technical Manager since 1996.
LKQ Corporation has appointed Daniel Watkins as Head of Network Relationship Management.
Richard Ketley has resigned from his role as Head of Network, Car and Commercial Repair Network at Innovation Group.
The directors of MG Cannon and Business Success Global have reached agreement to separate the two businesses, with Robert Snook resigning as a director of MG Cannon and Vince Scudder resigning as a director of BSG.
