Selsia has announced two key appointments

Due to business expansion, Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres has strengthened its middle management team with the appointment of Max Dickson as Operations Manager and Diana Sics as Accounts Manager.

Max is an Associate Member of the IRTE and Society of Operational Engineers, as well as being an Affiliate member of the IMI.

He has been leading and coaching the operations team for nearly eight years and has been involved in all the company’s new business account management functions.

Meanwhile, Diana is an AAT qualified Finance Manager with a financial background in 24-hour recovery, breakdown, truck engineering and repair, as well as domestic building construction.

Marketing Director Neil Marcus said, “Selsia has been established for over 15 years and we have built an enviable reputation as a professional and competent accident repair management organisation. Our next level management team headed up by Max and Diana are poised to take us into the future, and will no doubt put their own personal touches on the business.”

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Ben launches new Health and Wellbeing survey

Automotive charity Ben has launched its annual Health & Wellbeing survey to gain insights into the needs of automotive.

The charity wants to hear what health and wellbeing issues have affected automotive people and their families over the past year and what they think their challenges might be in the future. The survey is confidential, takes under 10 minutes and each participant has the chance to win a £500 Amazon voucher.

Last year’s survey indicated that 99.6% of automotive workers were personally affected by a health and wellbeing issue, stress was the most common issue (56%), followed by poor sleep (51%) and feelings of anxiety (43%), while 7 in 10 automotive workers were worried about money.

Rachel Clift, Ben’s Chief Executive Officer, said, “We want to hear from as many people as possible who work, or have worked, in our industry. Tell us about the health and wellbeing challenges you’ve faced over the past 12 months and what you think you might need in the future so we can provide the very best support and services, as your charity. The insights we gain from our annual surveys are vital in so many ways.”

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Apprenticeship Central highlights positive trends

Apprenticeship Central has highlighted three positive trends of apprenticeships in the past 12 months.

It found that almost a half of school leavers are now considering the apprenticeship route, with 46% of regarding it as a viable option for further education. This debunks the myth that all school leavers want to go to university.

Further, demand for apprenticeships has surged; a recent government report on apprenticeships found the percentage of employees who are apprentices has risen for the academic year 2023/24, with apprentices under the age of 19 surged, accounting for 32.7% of these starts.

Meanwhile, up to 85% of apprentices remain with their employer once they qualify. This impressive conversion rate breaks the myth that apprentices do not stick with training or leave when they qualify.

Director of Apprenticeship Central, Eleanor Baker-Barnes said, “We already know that good, well supported apprenticeship programmes deliver outstanding value. The difficult part for employers is finding the time and expertise to design and deliver them. Outsourcing to the experienced team at Apprenticeship Central means you can get on with running your business while we look after your apprentices.

These statistics highlight the increased appetite of school leavers for apprenticeships and underscores that overwhelming numbers stay with the original employers. Apprenticeships truly are the future.”

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WorldSkills UK winners revealed

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith helped celebrate the best apprentices in the country as the winners of WorldSkills UK were revealed last week after three days of intense competition.

Young people from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland competed in Greater Manchester in over 40 different skills to be named the ‘best in the UK’ and earn a place on Team GB. 

In Automotive Body Repair, Jordan Lingham, Sinclair Group, won Gold, with Silver going to Aaran Cooper, Steer Automotive Group, and Owen Thomas, BP Rolls Newport, taking Bronze. Joe Wilton of SDM Paintworks was highly commended.

Meanwhile, Gold winner in Automotive Refinishing was Victoria Steele, also of Sinclair Bodyshop, with Ben Robertson, G&H Body Repair, taking Silver. Bronze went to Teagan Whiteman, Fix Auto Newport, while Ben Williams, TJ Trade Body Repairs, was Highly Commended.

Underscoring what these achievements mean to the apprentices and their employers, Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, said, “Teagan is a credit to all within the group. This is an ambitious and clearly hugely talented young lady who literally walked straight out of school and into our Newport centre two years ago and simply asked for a job.

“Since that day she has excelled. Credit must be given to John Bowler, who manages the site, and our head painter Alex Braddon who has mentored Teagan from day one. To have an apprentice from the network on the precipice of competing on the WorldSkills international stage is yet another incredible chapter for us.”

Skills Minister Jacqui Smith added, “Congratulations to everyone who participated in this year’s magnificent competition. Competitions like WorldSkills UK are so important in nurturing talent, providing a vital platform for young people to develop the skills they need to seize opportunities and achieve growth.”

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ARC360 News – Friday, 22 November 2024

Bodyshop News 

  • Gemini Accident Repair Centres has earned Platinum accredited membership in The 5% Club’s 2024-25 Employer Audit Scheme for the second consecutive year, building on three successful years at Gold status.
  • Irv’s Auto Body Repairs & VW Restorations in Barrow In Furness has successfully completed its stage two BS10125:2022 assessment, supported by ECS.
  • Smart Automotive Bodyshop has passed its BS10125 audit with zero non-conformities for the first time.
  • Thatcham Research has welcomed its second group of apprentices, with 34 new starters joining from Solus and ABL 1 Touch Group. It has now welcomed around 130 apprentices this year.
  • Stellantis has concluded the final session of its 2024 training series at the Eyebox Training & Conference Centre in Coventry. The programme was delivered by Business Success Global.
  • Adam Murray will start a new position as Head of Policy, Standards & Accreditation at Solus – an Aviva company.
  • Page Automotive Group has announced that Declan McCluskey has joined as Managing Director.
  • GMC Autos is now part of the Volkswagen Paint & Body Network, accredited for Audi, Cupra, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen, and VW Commercial vehicles.
  • Autocraft is mourning the loss of Colin Fielding, one of the founders of Autocraft Telford, who sadly passed away last week.

VM News

Stellantis launches third all-new, multi-energy platform

Stellantis has unveiled the STLA Frame platform, a BEV-native, multi-energy platform engineered for full-size body-on-frame pickup trucks and SUVs. Full story

XPENG announces strategic UK distributor partnership with International Motors

XPENG has announced a strategic partnership with International Motors as its official distributor in the UK. This partnership marks a significant step in XPENG’s global expansion and underscores its commitment to delivering AI-driven, sustainable mobility solutions worldwide. Full story

BMW Group Plant Debrecen picks up the pace

BMW Group Plant Debrecen in Hungary is shifting into first gear with the first near-series fully-electric X models for the Neue Klasse now leaving the production line. Full story

How GM uses AI to improve vehicle software – and safety

Modern cars and trucks are powered by software. That’s true for gas-powered vehicles, EVs, and hybrids. In any current model, software will play an important role in driver safety, navigation, entertainment and operations. Full story

Ford announces measures to achieve long-term competitiveness in Europe

Ford Motor Company today announced restructuring plans to create a more cost-competitive structure and ensure the long-term sustainability and growth of its business in Europe. The company is planning to further reduce its European workforce by 4,000 positions by the end of 2027. Full story

Nissan calls for urgent action on UK Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) Mandate

Nissan has called for urgent action to avoid carmakers being penalised for the slowdown in electric vehicle (EV) sales in the UK resulting from outdated targets in the UK’s Zero Emissions Vehicles Mandate. Full story

Hyundai redefines EV mobility with IONIQ 9 Electric SUV

Hyundai Motor Company today unveiled IONIQ 9, a three-row, all-electric SUV with expansive interior space that fuses cutting-edge design and innovative electric vehicle (EV) technology. Full story

NIO announces its third brand: firefly

NIO has officially unveiled its third brand, firefly, along with its first product sharing the same name. Positioned in the boutique compact car market, firefly aims to further expand NIO’s product portfolio and leverage existing sales channels to drive growth efficiently. Full story

Michael Lohscheller: Keep the faith

It’s 2024 and greenhouse gas emissions are still increasing. Despite all the discussions. Despite all the ambitions and, sadly, despite all the investments that are being made by private sector companies and public bodies. What’s missing? Full story

Copy nothing: A new era for Jaguar

A new era for Jaguar has begun with the reveal of a completely reimagined brand. Full story

Industry News 

Trend Tracker values repair market at more than £9bn

Trend Tracker’s ‘UK Motor Claims and Body Repair Report 2024-2025’ has valued the vehicle repair market at more than £9bn this year despite volumes falling in the insurance repair sector. Full story

Euro NCAP releases latest safety ratings

The Cupra Tavascan and MH HS have both achieved top safety ratings in the latest Euro NCAP tests. However, the Ford Tourneo Courier only received three stars. Full story

IMI reveals stagnating skills gap

The latest IMI Automotive Vacancies Report has revealed that the automotive sector continues to struggle to tackle the skills gap. Its analysis of the September 2024 data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows motor trades vacancies at 20,000 with 3.5 vacancies for every 100 employees. Full story

Industry bodies collaborate to tackle EV confusion

Auto Trader, ChargeUK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have joined forces to combat misinformation surrounding electric cars. Full story

WorldSkills UK competition-based learning playbook launches

WorldSkills UK is proud to launch its brand-new competition-based learning playbook, which for the first time brings together the full range of its training and development resources, to support educators in embedding world-class training programmes into the curriculum. Full story

EV breakdowns ‘out of charge’ lowest ever this year

The proportion of electric vehicles running out of charge this year in the UK has dropped to the lowest ever, according to new AA statistical analysis. The figures show ‘out of charge’ EV breakdowns, which are calculated as a percentage of all EV breakdowns, are at a record low in 2024 of less than 2% (1.85%). The rolling 12-month figure for 2023 was 2.26%. Full story

Automotive charity Ben brings back Christmas families project

Automotive industry charity Ben is launching its ‘Christmas families project’ for another year, supporting families who might otherwise have to make impossible choices about heating or eating and whether they can afford Christmas gifts. Full story

People 

  • Steve Plunkett has joined Volkswagen Group UK as Body Repair Channel Manager.
  • Andy Caine has been appointed Business Development Manager at Autoglass.
  • Gallagher Bassett Chief Operating Officer John Fearn has presented the 20 Years of Service Award to our Motor and Property Fulfilment Director, Mark Garnham.  
  • GYS has appointed Grace Hodges as North West Area Sales Manager.
  • Sara Smith has been named Head of Vehicle Supply and Funding at Fleet Assist.
  • Anthony McAteer has been appointed Senior European Sales Director at LKQ Europe.
  • Matthew Simpkins has been appointed Global Head – Industry Strategist – Automotive at Salesforce.

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Industry bodies collaborate to tackle EV confusion

Auto Trader, ChargeUK and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) have joined forces to combat misinformation surrounding electric cars.

The group has created a collection of user-friendly, simplified facts that offers a more balanced and data-backed view of the reality of owning and driving electric cars.

These facts clarify points such as how electric cars are greener, are no more likely to catch fire than an ICE car, and that the electric range and charging point availability is better than some might think.

The information will be regularly reviewed and updated, and endorsed by the Department for Transport.

This comes after the House of Lords’ Environment and Climate Change Committee published a Report – ‘EV strategy: rapid recharge needed’ – highlighting the confusing messages that exist in the media towards EVs and called for “a ‘go-to’ source of comprehensive, clear and balanced information.

Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood said, “Zero emission vehicles will drive our journey to net zero, which is why this government is committed to accelerating the transition. Ensuring consumers have clear, accurate information when deciding what kind of car to buy is essential. This work by industry is absolutely vital to boosting drivers’ confidence in zero emission vehicles, and I’m pleased to back it.”

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Automotive charity Ben brings back Christmas families project

Automotive industry charity Ben is launching its ‘Christmas families project’ for another year, supporting families who might otherwise have to make impossible choices about heating or eating and whether they can afford Christmas gifts.

Now in its fifth year, Ben’s Christmas families project keeps roofs over heads, lights on, food on tables, as well as putting gifts under trees for those feeling cost-of-living pressures. 

Last year, it supported 265 automotive families through the project, including 120 children. It’s expected that the charity will help even more people this year.

Rachel Clift, Chief Executive Officer at Ben, said, “We recognise that times are still really tough for many. No one in our automotive family should face homelessness or have to make impossible decisions about whether they can afford to put food on the table or heat their homes. We’re here for those struggling or in crisis. We provide life-changing and, often life-saving, support to many families and individuals who can’t afford the basics and we urge people to contact our helpline. We want everyone in the automotive industry to know that Ben is here for them.”

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IMI reveals stagnating skills gap

The latest IMI Automotive Vacancies Report has revealed that the automotive sector continues to struggle to tackle the skills gap.

Its analysis of the September 2024 data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows motor trades vacancies at 20,000 with 3.5 vacancies for every 100 employees.

However, despite the continued high level of vacancies, separate IMI analysis of job postings suggests employers have retracted recruitment plans over the last year, which is a serious concern for motorists requiring vehicle repairs and servicing.

Overall job postings reported in the IMI’s Labour Market Report decreased by 38% year on year (July 2024) with 51% of these positions for Vehicle Technicians, Mechanics, and Electricians. A complicated mix of factors are likely to be behind this decline including employer apathy and recruitment fatigue after failed hiring attempts, combined with caution due to economic uncertainty.

Azlina Bulmer, Managing Director of the IMI, said, “The proposed increase in employers NI contributions announced in the Autumn Budget Statement has the potential to impact recruitment as well as salaries, and this raises serious concerns that the already significant skills gap is only likely to be further exacerbated.

“Lack of access to qualified and continuously trained automotive experts presents a serious risk to road safety and social mobility, which we will raise in our response on behalf of our members to the government’s Industrial Strategy green paper: Invest 2035: The UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy.”

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Euro NCAP releases latest safety ratings

The Cupra Tavascan and MH HS have both achieved top safety ratings in the latest Euro NCAP tests.

However, the Ford Tourneo Courier only received three stars.

Testing found that the Cupra offers good protection to all vehicle occupants including children, with an active bonnet to protect pedestrians and good reactive response to cyclists and motorcyclists. 

The car also has an indirect driver status monitoring system as standard, detecting driver fatigue although not distraction, as well as a lane support system and Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control.

Meanwhile, the MG backed up its five-star rating in 2019 with another top score. It has good protection for pedestrians and cyclists as well as an effective autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that responds well to a range of vulnerable road users. 

However, Euro NCAP found that the Ford Tourneo Courier fell short of top safety standards. It revealed that in the full-width rigid barrier frontal impact, protection of the head was rated as poor for the small female sitting in the rear seat.Ford has committed to address this before the updated passenger car version will be re-assessed in 2025.

Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Secretary General Euro NCAP, said, “It may seem that Euro NCAP is setting a tough task for manufacturers, yet we work closely together with industry, encouraging changes in car design that ultimately save lives. As Euro NCAP upgrades its protocols to be more stringent, with new guidelines for safety technologies and in relation to vulnerable users, we are ensuring that as a consumer, you have the best safety equipment available as standard on your new car to make your journey as safe as it can possibly be.”

In other results, the Ford Capri, Renault Rafale and Chery Omoda 5 all received five-star ratings and the Mitsubishi ASX received four stars.

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Trend Tracker values repair market at more than £9bn

Trend Tracker’s ‘UK Motor Claims and Body Repair Report 2024-2025’ has valued the vehicle repair market at more than £9bn this year despite volumes falling in the insurance repair sector.

The comprehensive report provides up-to-the-minute and essential commentary on the latest market position, and economic and market developments.

Trend Tracker Director and author of the Report, Paul Sell, said, “Amidst sweeping changes—societal, economic, technological, and environmental—the vehicle repair market continues to evolve rapidly. Success in this space depends on adapting to these shifts while balancing the need for investment in repair sector and managing insurance costs for consumers – by accessing our reports businesses can stay ahead of market change and not be surprised by changes in volumes or costs.

“However, along with the report being available to purchase, now readers can choose to subscribe to access monthly market updates, keeping their finger on the pulse.”

Hot topics include electric vehicles, the repair market size/share and trends, motor insurance and claims trends including average repair costs, repair volumes, cycle time trends, exclusive consumer survey results delivered by Consumer Intelligence as well as dedicated space for both sustainability and growing claims trends such as the use of AI.

The wide-ranging Report includes:

  • Economic insights and industry-relevant data on the impact of recent budget decisions, and staff retention
  • The expert view from ECA Business on what impact the Russia Ukraine war and conflict in the Middle East is having on energy costs
  • The impact of ZEV mandate for automotive in terms of new car sales and EV discounting 
  • The detail behind the numbers: such as an ageing car parc (now at an average nine years old); the ADAS penetration in 2015-2023 models, and what the largest bodyshop group market share really means for the independent repair sector.
  • Macro data – including the fact there are more cars on the road, increased licence holders and the average trips being taken has increased too, drilling down to industry-relevant questions, such as why are claims still low when most macro factors suggest increases?
  • Essential data on EV vs ICE repair costs
  • Comprehensive GWP focuses on top five motor insurers showing growth in GWP (premium drivers) explored in detail alongside latest Confused.com data showing premium falls.
  • Ensuring repairability: the newly launched Thatcham Research vehicle rating system.

Paul continued, “Our approach at Trend Tracker is to make our data and insight accessible and affordable for the whole market, we can do this through the fantastic support of our sponsors – thank you to Advantage Parts Solutions, The CAPS Consortium, Chartwell Derby – (Powered by Steer), Entegral, Fix Auto UK, LKQ Europe and U-POL Global.

“There are so many people who have contributed enormously to add richness and value to this Report, including Dean Lander from Thatcham Research; Wayne Mason-Drust from NBRA / VBRA; Jade Edwards at Zapmap, Chris Wright from Solera|Audatex, Donna Scully at Carpenters Group; Mark Hadaway from ARC360 and I Love Claims; David Cresswell and Kelly Dalwood at ABP Club, Derren Martin at cap hpi, and Steve Thompson at Trend Tracker’s sister company, Industry Insights.”

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