Tractable secures major Mapfre deal

Multi-national insurance group Mapfre is working with Tractable to introduce AI technology into its vehicle recovery, repair and claims process.

It hopes that by adopting Tractable’s AI solutions it will be able to reduce the time from first notification of loss to return of vehicle by as much as two weeks.

Mapfre will first integrate the technology to its operations in Brazil, but there is scope to scale the solution to other markets in which it operates.

The unique solution being deployed uses photographs taken by the customer to carry out an end-to-end assessment of damage to the vehicle. As well as estimating severity and suggesting recommended repair methods, the solution also features real-time pricing and triage to appropriate repairers. It is also able to request parts from suppliers, further cutting down settlement claims.

Ahmed Hameed, VP Strategic Accounts, Tractable, said, “Mapfre has a worldwide presence and this innovative global partnership will lead to its customers receiving an even better experience through the power of our AI. Our collaboration has the potential to be a step change not only for the Brazilian market, but also further beyond, bringing real AI technology to where it can make an immediate difference – by accelerating response directly after an accident.”

Roberto De Antoni, chief operating officer at Mapfre Brazil, said, “We’ve been experimenting with different AI solutions to significantly enhance customer experience and improve our operational efficiency. The automobile business line is core to the Brazilian operation, so starting out on this alliance with Tractable, in pioneering fashion, is very important for us.”

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AWG proclaimed ‘EV Ready’

AW Repair Group (AW) has achieved EV Ready certification from Thatcham Research across all its sites.

AW Repair Group was the first to sign up for Thatcham Research’s EV Ready training programme in August 2021, and now more than 200 technical and administration staff have completed tailored e-learning modules to become EV Aware.

Technical teams have also completed a Level 3 qualification to ensure EVs can be safely managed across all sites.

Steve Hoe, Technical Development and VM Executive at AW Repair Group, said: “Although we already have several TecKnowlogy Centres specialising in EVs, Tesla and multi-material repair, we felt it was really important for all the team to have certified EV awareness, particularly as we are now seeing an increase in EV offerings across the whole of the car parc.

“Knowing the safety precautions to take when near a ring-fenced EV repair in progress or simply being able to talk competently with an EV driver are just two simple side benefits of the EV Ready certification.”

Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research said, “It’s been a huge pleasure to award AW with its EV Ready certification. As a progressive, agile business, AW quickly recognised the need, and opportunity, to upskill all staff who might encounter an EV. Now AW has become the first to complete the EV Ready programme, its customers can bank on meeting well-informed individuals with a strong working knowledge of EVs, across all touchpoints.”

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ARC360 News Round Up: Friday 7 January 2022

Register now (Wednesday 26 January 2022 – 1.30pm)

In this webinARC we explore the key themes of sustainability across the industry to discover just what it means to different operations – from large corporates through to independent businesses –at this current time.

December dip in volumes

Repair volumes fell from November to December and although marginally better than December 2020 they were only 88% of volumes recorded in December 2019.

Based on Audatex figures, Trend Tracker has reported that across the year volumes were 85% of 2019 levels, which equates to a shortfall of about 423,000 repairs.

Copart and Solus agree innovative exchange programme

Copart has announced a new colleague exchange programme with Solus, the repair arm of Aviva.

As part of the programme, engineers, trainees and apprentices from each business will spend time with the other, giving them to opportunity to upskill and better understand each other’s roles.

BEVs breakthrough in 2021

Sales of battery electric vehicles last year exceeded the last five years combined as 2021 signalled a breakthrough year for electrification.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 190,727 units were sold, which equates to 18.5% of all new registrations. Combined with hybrids that ratio rises to 27.5%.

However, the wider new car market continued to struggle. Just 1.65 million new cars entered the UK market, which is 28.7% down on 2019 figures.

McKinsey publishes far-reaching mobility report

McKinsey has produced an all-encompassing report assessing the future of the mobility market. Its granular Mobility Market Model takes data from more than 2,800 cities and towns in more than 110 to model a range of possible mobility projects.

The report, which considers miles travelled, vehicle sales, infrastructure and environmental impact, also estimates the size of private and shared transport markets through 2030 and beyond.

FMG promotes from within

Claims management specialists FMG has promoted former Business Development Manager Matthew Lees to the new role of National Sales Manager – Insurance Solutions.

In his role he will be responsible for promoting FMG’s outsourced claims management solutions to insurers, brokers, MGA’s and self-insured fleet operators.

BSI inviting industry input

BSI is inviting industry input as it reviews its CAV standards roadmap. It is hosting two online workshops on 26 January and 3 March during which industry stakeholders will be invited to help it future-proof its CAV standard.

The roadmap, first published in 2020, is a forward-looking structure that signposts key projects, published standards and future areas for standardisation.

Ben unveils new fundraising challenge

Automotive charity Ben is launching a new fundraising challenge this summer that is set to test the industry’s mental and physical abilities. The Beast of Ben, taking place in Wales from 6-8 July, will pit teams of four against each other in a series of challenges including abseiling, water crossing, navigation and problem solving.

Registration is £250pp which contributes towards the team’s fundraising target of £5,000 per team.

ALD confirms Leaseplan purchase

ALD has announced that is has signed a memorandum of understanding to acquire fleet management and mobility company Leaseplan from a consortium led by TDR Capital for €4.9bn.

Leaseplan operates a global fleet of about 1.8 million vehicles and the acquisition would merge the two companies into NewALD, which would be positioned to take advantage of megatrends such the shift from ownership to usership, digitalisation and zero emission mobility. NewALD aim for long term fleet growth of six per cent per year.

Motorists overcharged £5m a day

The BBC reports that the RAC has accused petrol retailers of overcharging UK motorists by as much as £5m a day in December, claiming that cuts to wholesale prices were not fairly passed down to drivers.

Prices for unleaded petrol fell 2p a litre but the RAC believes a 12p decrease would have been appropriate. It has calculated that, as a result, retailers made 16p a litre instead of the normal 6p.

US: Driven Brands announces major acquisition

North America’s largest automotive services company Driven Brands Holdings has acquired Auto Glass Now, which carries out repair, replacement and calibration at 75 locations throughout the country.

The acquisition makes Driven Brands one of the largest auto glass services providers in the country and well-placed to capitalise on a market that is valued at $5bn and growing.

ARC360 sets out webinARC schedule for 2022

ARC360 has set out its webinARC schedule for 2022 with key industry themes forming the basis of the monthly discussions.

Each 45-60-minute session aims to tackle a core thread common throughout the industry and glean input from a variety of stakeholders in order to continue to promote ARC360’s core ethos of ‘gaining ground together’.

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Trend Tracker reports December dip

Repair estimate volumes in the UK dipped in December as Plan B restrictions imposed by the government in response to the omicron variant of Covid-19 took their toll.

According to Trend Tracker’s latest report, based on data from Audatex, volumes in December were down on November’s figures and 88% of volumes reported in December 2019.

Across the year, there were 423,000 fewer repairs than in 2019, with Trend Tracker estimating that the ‘new normal’ will be at about 86% of pre-pandemic levels.

Trend Tracker is now compiling a wide-ranging report which will assess 2021 statistics in greater detail, while also looking ahead to the trends, risks, and opportunities that may be presented in 2022.

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Motorists paying the price at the pumps

UK drivers were overcharged by £5m a day in December and petrol retailers failed to pass on wholesale price cuts according to a BBC report.

Prices for unleaded petrol fell 2p a litre, but the RAC believes a 12p decrease would have been a fair reflection of the fall of wholesale prices. It has calculated that, as a result, retailers made 16p a litre instead of the normal 6p.

RAC spokesperson Simon Williams said, “December was a rotten month for drivers as they were taken advantage of by retailers.”

However, Gordon Balmer, executive director of the Petrol Retailers Association, said, “December’s pump price data is less reliable because it is taken from fuel card transactions, and there have been far fewer of these transactions because of the reduction in business activity between Christmas and New Year.

“The costs of running petrol stations rose all year, with electricity up 19%, vastly reduced margins from fuel cards, increased national insurance and wage inflation.”

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Beast of Ben unleashed on industry

Automotive charity Ben is introducing a new fundraising challenge set for the summer of 2022 – the Beast of Ben.

The event will see teams of four go head-to-head in a series of gruelling mental and physical challenges that will test their skill, speed and stamina.

Taking place in Wales from 6-8 July, the Beast of Ben will comprise abseiling, water crossing, navigation and problem solving, while teams will also be able to earn time advantages and bonus points beforehand by taking part in additional trials and reaching fundraising milestones.

Competitors, who will need to be confident of their own fitness levels to take part, will spend two nights camping in the exclusive Beast of Ben athletes’ village where entertainment and food will be provided between challenges.

Registration is £250pp which contributes towards the team’s fundraising target, expected to be in excess of £5,000 per teams.

Automotive companies are invited to entire one or multiple teams, with all funds raised helping Ben support those in the automotive community who are struggling or in crisis.

Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income, said: “The Beast of Ben will be a fast and fun challenge that will be unlike any other physical endurance event people may have competed in before, testing both mental strength and physical agility. With so many organisations putting forward their best and brightest competitors, we can’t wait to see which company will be the first to become Beast of Ben Champions.”

To find out more about Ben’s Fundraising Initiatives or to register your interest in competing in a Beast of Ben event in Summer 2022, visit www.ben.org.uk/beast-of-ben

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Record year for BEVS

New car registrations in 2021 grew by one per cent on 2020 but were still down 28.7% on 2019 sales. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 1.65 million new cars entered the UK market last year.

However, in the flip side, 2021 was a breakthrough year for battery electric vehicles, with 190,727 units sold, or 18.5% of all sales. An additional 147,246 hybrid electric vehicles were also registered, representing an 8.9% market share, meaning that more than a quarter (27.5%) of all new vehicles entering the UK market last year were at least partly electric.

Uptake of BEVs rose throughout the year, with December marking a record month with 25.5% of all new registrations electric.

But while the UK finished 2021 as the third largest European market for new car registrations and the second largest by volume for plug-in vehicles and BEVs, this paints a slightly distorted picture; it is only in ninth position in Europe for BEVs by market share, while cuts to government grants and the slow pace of growth in on-street public charging could well curtail EV demand in the future.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “It’s been another desperately disappointing year for the car industry as Covid continues to cast a pall over any recovery. Manufacturers continue to battle myriad challenges, with tougher trading arrangements, accelerating technology shifts and, above all, the global semiconductor shortage which is decimating supply.

“Despite the challenges, the undeniable bright spot is the growth in electric car uptake. A record-breaking year for the cleanest, greenest vehicles is testament to the investment made by the industry over the past decade and the inherent attractiveness of the technology. The models are there, with two of every five new car models now able to be plugged in, drivers have the widest choice ever and industry is working hard to overcome Covid-related supply constraints.

“The biggest obstacle to our shared net zero ambitions is not product availability, however, but cost and charging infrastructure. Recent cuts to incentives and home charging grants should be reversed and we need to boost the roll out of public on-street charging with mandated targets, providing every driver, wherever they live, with the assurance they can charge where they want and when they want.”

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Copart and Solus agree innovative exchange programme

Copart has announced a new colleague exchange programme with Solus, the repair arm of Aviva.

As part of the programme, engineers, trainees and apprentices from each business will spend time with the other, giving them to opportunity to upskill and better understand each other’s roles.

The first phase of the programme was launched in December, when five of Copart’s Vehicle Damage Evaluators spent two days with Solus where they were exposed to all aspects of the repair journey, including diagnostics, parts ordering, ADAS calibration, painting, panel work, and understanding the customer journey.  

Russ England, Engineering Services Manager, Copart, said: “This student exchange programme supports our VDEs personal development and Thatcham apprenticeship training by exposing them to real-life bodyshop experiences which they would not normally get to see, and when we host Solus apprentices throughout 2022 they will gain valuable insights into the salvage sector.”

Ayode Duroshola, Learning and Development Partner at Solus, said: The opportunity to create an exchange programme in partnership with Copart is a significant learning and development milestone, which increases avenues for shared learning, collaborative working, and ensures continual professional development for both organisations.  

“The success of the first Copart cohort who found their time at Solus to be an extremely valuable experience, demonstrates that development projects such as this are vital in the sharing of knowledge and best practices, especially in a constantly evolving industry.  

As Solus continues to host Copart delegates throughout 2022, we look forward to our colleagues visiting Copart premises to help expand their knowledge and understanding for the benefit of the Aviva customer.” 

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AW releases docuseries preview

AW Repair Group has released a teaser montage of some of the upcoming features to be released as part of its docuseries highlighting the career success stories among its colleagues.

The series, titled, AW –A Career For Life, has already charted the progression of former IT networks expert Saf, who is now a trainee vehicle damage assessor, and Sophie who explained the support the received during her rise from Customer Liaison Advisor to Workshop Controller in a male-dominated environment.

The teaser video offers a glimpse into the development of other team members who will feature later in the series.

Founder and CEO Andrew Walsh said: “It was very difficult to decide who to include in the series as every role is an essential cog in the wheel. So we’ve been as diverse as possible from newer recruits to long servers as well as home workers and the benefits of flexible working which we, as a company, have promoted for many years.”

Click here to watch the preview.

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ARC360 sets out webinARC schedule for 2022

ARC360 has set out its webinARC schedule for 2022 with key industry themes forming the basis of the monthly discussions.

Each 45-60 minute session aims to tackle a core thread common throughout the industry and glean input from a variety of stakeholders in order to continue to promote ARC360’s core ethos of ‘gaining ground together’.

Sessions are available to register now by clicking on the image or the linked text.

Details of individual sessions (subject to change) and participants will be added closer to the time of the event.

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