Bodyshop, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales, wellbeing and Words
Automotive charity Ben has announced more details surrounding its two flagship fundraising events, Ben’s Big Breakfast and Ben Ball.
Ben’s Big Breakfast takes place from 7-13 October, the same week as World Mental Health Day on 10 October, and encourages everyone in the sector to host breakfast mornings to raise funds for the charity while at the same time chatting with colleagues with a view to opening up about mental health issues.
Meanwhile, the Ben Ball will take place on 11 December and Old Billingsgate Market, with Ben announcing that the 1920’s Great Gatsby-themed event will feature entertainment by the Electro Swing Project.
Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement and Income at Ben, said, “Ben is on a mission to help more people each year; three times as many by 2030. That’s a bold ambition, but one we know we can achieve with the help of our industry. Events like this are crucial – and these are our two biggest events of the year, so we hope you’ll join us and make a real difference to the lives of those in our automotive family.”
Ben is aiming to raise upwards of £150,000 from the two events.
Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words
Copart UK has opened a new Operation Centre in Chelmsford, Essex.
The new 30-acre site, which is part of an ongoing expansion strategy with further announcements to come, will provide additional capacity alongside its existing Operation Centres in Colchester, Rochford, Sandwich, Sandy, and Wisbech.
It will enable Copart to increase vehicle storage capacity in this region by 25%, reducing road miles and increasing online auctions.
Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK and Ireland, said, “We’re very excited to announce our plans to develop a new Operation Centre in Chelmsford, which will provide annual storage capacity for 35,000 vehicles.
“The Essex area is growing rapidly with increasing levels of housing development, so Copart Chelmsford will be a key location for us to handle future demand and further strengthen our unrivalled operational capabilities in the southwest.”
Bodyshop, Finance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words
Steer Automotive Group has announced the acquisition of Gemini Accident Repair Centres, furthering its mission to provide unparalleled automotive repair services across the UK.
This acquisition includes all 38 sites of Gemini, expanding Steer’s footprint from Edinburgh to Cornwall.
Founded in 2008 by Tim Hopkins, Gemini has grown from a single-site operation to a semi-national network, renowned for its dedicated customer relationships and innovative training and apprentice programmes.
Its repair process will further enhance Steer’s mutual client relationships and performance, developing and improving client experience delivery across the UK.
Tim Hopkins, CEO, said, “I would like to pass on my deepest gratitude to my incredible Gemini team for their unwavering hard work and loyalty. To our valued customers and insurers, thank you for your continuous support and trust. I am confident that Steer Group is the ideal successor for our business. Their commitment to investment and future-oriented plans ensures that you will all have long-term job security and exciting opportunities ahead.”
Dave Sargeant, Managing Director, and Phil Coleman, Finance Director, will remain with the business and join the Steer Leadership Team which will help to ensure a smooth transition and continuity of service.
Richard Steer, Chief Executive, added, “We are proud to welcome Gemini’s exceptional team into the Steer family. Gemini’s innovative repair proposition and steadfast dedication to outstanding service have set an industry benchmark. Their business model, which consistently delivers top-tier service to their valued clients, will greatly enhance our operational capabilities. This acquisition strengthens our commitment to service excellence across the UK, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the automotive repair sector and continue to meet the evolving needs of our customers.”
Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words
Fix Auto Coalville has celebrated its 50th anniversary after being founded by Roger Billett in 1974.
Now owned and managed by his son, Carl, the business has grown to a 6,500 sqft operation.
Meanwhile, the business has received its 10th anniversary plaque from Fix Auto UK during the organisation’s National Conference last month.
Carl said, “We are incredibly proud to reach this 50th anniversary milestone. It’s been an incredible journey, one of both lows and, thankfully, many highs. We owe our continued success to our dedicated team, loyal customers and the support of Fix Auto UK.”
Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, added, “Celebrating 50 years is an extraordinary achievement, especially in business and particularly in this trade. It’s been an absolute privilege to have Carl and his team within the Fix Auto UK family for the past decade, it seems like only yesterday that we shook hands and welcomed him into the fold. Fix Auto Coalville’s unwavering commitment to delivering not only repairs of the highest quality but a high standard of customer service is a credit to all.”
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words
ARC360 conference proves major success
ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference has been declared a major success. Bringing together over 250 of the motor claims sector’s leading professionals, the event provided an open forum for discussions around the evolution of the vehicle parc; technology advances and implications; business acquisition and growth; and ideas around future business models. Summaries of the discussions will be made available in the coming weeks.
Bodyshop Briefs
The Vella Grouphas taken its number of sites to 15 with more than 400 colleagues after announcing the acquisition of Stoke-based Brocksford Motors. Meanwhile, eight more of its sites have joined the AkzoNobel Sustainable Repair Network.
4 Elms Group has announced that it has achieved PAS 2060 certification for carbon neutrality for the fourth year in a row.
Two Coachwork Renovations apprentices have completed their Plastic Repair Training with Cornerstone Technologies.
Steer Automotive Group apprentices recently attended 3M as part of its Advanced Apprenticeship Programme, with the training course focusing on spot repair, plastic repair, colour contrast and advanced masking techniques.
Industry News
Charge Up: EV Quartly Insights
To provide valuable insights into this evolving market, Activate Group, the accident management specialist, is launching a quarterly EV report, utilising data from Gecko Risk. This report aims to offer comprehensive and up-to-date information on the latest trends and developments in EV repair, from average repair costs to cycle times.
Driven miles up in 2023
Trend Tracker has revealed that 330.8 billion miles were driven in the UK last year. Data from the Department of Transport has revealed that this is a rise of 2.2% on 2022 but remains 2.3% below the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
New and used car markets hold steady
The latest Car Market Overview from cap hpi has revealed that both the new and used car segments are performing strongly.
Solera and Simplicity Car Care host Sustainability Summit
Simplicity Car Care and Solera Audatex joined forces on Tuesday in Toronto to host an inaugural Automotive Industry Sustainability Summit dedicated to paving a road to net-zero in the collision repair and auto claims economies.
BASF colour wins prestigious award
BASF Coating Division’s colour ZENOMENON was the only automotive paint to be honoured at the Red Dot Award: Product Design, one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world.
VRA membership growing
Nine new members, Altelium, Autograb, Aviloo, Equiniti, Golden Motor Group, National Vehicle Distribution, Rennicks, Wilsons Auctions and Zenith, have joined the Vehicle Remarketing Association so far this year.
London roads busiest in the world
London’s roads have been ranked the most congested in Europe for the third year in a row, with drivers in the capital spending an average of 99 hours sitting in traffic in 2023.
Hydrogen on the horizon
Venson Automotive Solutions has published a new report, The Big Hydrogen Question, exploring the role hydrogen can play in cleaner road transport.
Charles Trent celebrates gold
Charles Trent has won Gold in the Family Business category at the Poole Business Awards 2024.
Distrigo expands distribution network
The Distrigo Parts Distribution UK network has expanded with two new branches, Distrigo HTC Guildford and HTC Shoreham.
AX boosts EV transition with EValuate
AX has launched EValuate,a replacement vehicle service that offers ICE vehicle drivers the opportunity to try an EV for an extended period while their car is being repaired following an accident.
Motors completes Cazoo acquisition
Used car search platform Motors, which is backed by private equity, has acquired online car retailer Cazoo after it fell into administration.
Tchek.ai partners with Instavalo
Tchek.ai has enhanced its focus on AI with a new licensing agreement with German-based vehicle appraisal company Instavalo, which will manage its existing vehicle scanner customers.
Strategy and implementation equally critical
A new report by outsorc has examined the value of business strategy and implementation, concluding that one is not more important than the other and ‘a successful business requires a well-developed strategy and the capability to implement it effectively.’
UK motorists unsure about rules of driving abroad
New figures show that 46% of UK drivers have or would drive abroad yet 71% don’t know how the essential Green Card system works, according to a new YouGov survey by MIB.
VM News
JLR hires more than 1,500 veterans
JLR has hired more than 1,500 former armed forces personnel globally over the last decade, as the nation honours Armed Forces Week in the UK.
Rivian and VWG announce EV joint venture
Rivian Automotive has announced that Volkswagen Group will invest nearly £4bn to form an equally controlled and owned joint venture to create next-generation electrical architecture and best-in-class software technology.
Hyundai launches high-tech EV model
Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled its all-electric INSTER, with a top range of 220 miles and charging times to 80% of 30 minutes. The model also includes a range of ADAS features, such as Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Blind-spot View Monitor and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.
Polestar accelerates EV understanding
Polestar has considered the difference of accelerating in an EV compared to an ICE model in the latest in its series of technical features, ‘Explain it like I’m 5.’
People
Darren Keylock has been named Regional Support Manager at Motofix Accident Repair Centres.
Mick Callaghan has joined HB Accident Repair Network as new Production Manager.
Jim Odams has joined Autotech Group as Business Relationships Manager.
Auxillis has appointed Kelly Graham as Operations Director.
Direct Line Group has named Maz Brown as Group Chief Risk Officer.
Nissan President and CEO Makoto Uchida has received a CBE for services to UK/Japan business relations.
A1 ADAS Solutions has appointed Kieran Eastwood as Operations Manager.
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words
EV pulse headlines
2024 new vehicle registrations – BMW challenges Tesla for EV market dominance
Average EV repair costs down 1.6% year on year
EV repair cycle times continue to fall from 2022 peak
Introduction
In the early days of the electric vehicle (EV) industry, the lack of comprehensive data posed significant challenges for fleets and insurers, making risk assessment and informed decision-making difficult. As the EV market has grown, we now have a richer level of data on EVs, and the costs associated with maintaining and repairing them.
To provide valuable insights into this evolving market, Activate Group, the accident management specialist, is launching a quarterly EV report, utilising data from Gecko Risk. This report aims to offer comprehensive and up-to-date information on the latest trends and developments in EV repair, from average repair costs to cycle times.
Electric Vehicle Market
There are more than 1.1 million EVs on UK roads, and 55% of these have been registered in the last two years.
This is a sector of the UK car parc that’s growing fast. Initially, this growth was driven by specialist manufacturers and early adopters like Tesla and Nissan. The Tesla model 3 is the UK’s most popular EV of all time, with 104,781registered on UK roads.
Top 5 EV manufacturers overall
More recently, high-end marques like BMW, Mercedes and Audi have been building market share, challenging Tesla’s dominance in the EV market.
Top 5 EV manufacturers 2024
James Fisher, CEO of Gecko Risk commented: “To date we have seen battery electric vehicle adoption being predominantly driven by fleets and those who can afford the luxury of owning high value vehicles. At Gecko we are interested to see how the demographic of EV drivers changes over the next few years with less expensive models due to hit the road from Chinese manufacturers like BYD and Great Wall Motors. With younger drivers behind the wheel of BEVs the risk in this subsector will continue to evolve and will require up to date analysis.”
EV Repair Cost Trends
Figures for the first five months of 2024 reveal that average EV repair costs have come down from their 2023 peak.
This data bucks a five-year trend that has seen the average EV repair cost rise steadily from £3,499 in 2019 to £4,149 in 2023.
To date, the average EV repair cost for 2024 is £4,084, down 1.6% when compared to 2023.
The reduction in EV repair costs is somewhat at odds with the market overall, as average repair costs for ICE vehicles continued to rise slightly in the first months of the year.
Adrian Furness, Managing Director of Motor Repair Network, Activate Group’s insurance division, said: “There has been a high level of investment in EV capability across the industry, creating repair availability. With increased capacity and a reduction in repair volume across all vehicle types, we may see more evidence of average repair costs leveling out or reducing over the coming months.”
Average EV repair cost breakdown
When we break down the cost of repairs, it’s clear that parts costs consistently represent the highest outlay.
Data from the last five years reveals that parts costs account for 44% of overall EV repair costs on average.
Interestingly, Tesla repair data does not follow this trend. Here, labour costs are consistently higher, accounting for 42% of the repair cost in comparison to 34% for parts.
Mark Hobson, Operations Manager for Activate Parts, Activate Group’s wholesale parts division, commented: “In general, EVs are packed with technology and made of lightweight materials that are more challenging to repair than traditional ICE vehicles. This, coupled with low availability of green and aftermarket EV parts, explains why parts account for a high proportion of the average EV repair cost.
“Tesla stands out because repairs are usually completed by main dealers and manufacturer approved repairers, where labour costs are significantly higher. In addition, Tesla does not readily offer parts discounts which makes it more economical for bodyshops to repair rather than replace a part if it’s safe to do so.”
EV Repair Times
Looking at the full cycle time from accident date to repair completion, we see that EV repair cycle times have fallen significantly over the last two years.
Gecko data reveals that the cycle time peaked in 2022 at 29 days and is tracking at an average of 23 days so far in 2024.
Adrian said: “This change is in line with the wider market, where there has been significant improvement in repair times across all vehicle types.
“This has been driven by investment in new, state-of-the-art repair capacity as found in our own Activate Repair sites. In addition, we are seeing higher excesses and an increased rate of write-offs, which have a knock-on effect on repair availability.”
Conclusion
The electric vehicle market in the UK is undergoing rapid growth, supported by investment in training and equipment across the vehicle repair industry.
Increased repair capacity and EV capability, coupled with a reduction in repair volume across all vehicle types is helping to stabilise repair costs and bring down cycle times.
With the increasing availability of comprehensive data, fleets and insurers can now make more informed decisions, enhancing their ability to manage risks and costs effectively.
Activate Group’s new quarterly EV report, powered by Gecko Risk data, aims to provide crucial insights and trends, supporting stakeholders in navigating this evolving landscape. As the EV sector continues to expand, staying informed will be key to leveraging the opportunities it presents.
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words
The Vella Group has taken its number of sites to 15 with more than 400 colleagues after announcing the acquisition of Stoke-based Brocksford Motors.
Brocksford Motors is a family-run independent repairer that was established in 1960 and now managed by Mark Beech.
The news follows the Vella Group’s acquisition of Axiom’s two sites in April with the Group saying there will be further expansion this year.
Marc Holding, Managing Director of The Vella Group said: “We are delighted to announce the acquisition of Brocksford Motors, further expanding our footprint into the Staffordshire area and strategically connecting our North West sites to those in the Midlands.
“The business has been trading for over 65 years and has built a great reputation in the Stoke-on-Trent area thanks to its team and culture. We are confident that it will be an excellent addition to our group, and we look forward to working with Mark and the team going forward. This is an exciting addition to the Vella Group as we look to continue our recent growth via both targeted new builds and the right acquisition opportunities.”
Sue Hughes, previous owner of Brocksford Motors said: “We are pleased to have sold the business to The Vella Group. It was important to us to choose a new owner who would look after the people who have worked hard for us over many years, and The Vella Group has a great reputation in the industry for supporting its team members. We are sure that the business will go from strength to strength under this new ownership and wish them all the best for the future.”
Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words
Trend Tracker has revealed that 330.8 billion miles were driven in the UK last year.
Data from the Department of Transport has revealed that this is a rise of 2.2% on 2022 but remains 2.3% below the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.
Meanwhile, the number of registrations surged by 16% from 2022 to 2023, with just over a million (1,015,000) zero emission vehicles on the road. This represents 2.5% of the total car parc.
Data also revealed that motorists are holding on to their vehicles longer than in the past, with the average age of a licensed car in the UK now nine years old, which is 16% older than the average recorded at the end of 2018.
Trend Tracker analysis also found that repair estimate volumes continue to grow, with April figures 13% higher than the same month last year, 10% up on April 2022 and 33% higher than in 2021.
Paul Sell, Associate Director of Trend Tracker, said, “Several key factors are influencing repair estimate volumes including the price of insurance, higher excess levels, and increased write-off thresholds. At the same time the market has created new capacity. Together these have created a rapid change in the supply versus demand picture.”
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales, wellbeing and Words
ARC360 conference set for next week
ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference, set to deliver the highest calibre of attendees, contributors and debate in the UK body repair industry event calendar, is all set for next week.
Taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, the sell-out event will provide shared insights, interactive exhibits and networking opportunity for the UK’s key persons of influence from across the UK vehicle incident repair and insurance claims sector.
Bodyshop Briefs
Gemini Accident Repairshas expanded its presence in the North East by opening a new-build site in Darlington.
Fix Auto Swansea West has expanded operations with the acquisition of Pontypridd-based bodyshop S&F Motors.
Motofix is partnering with RWC Training to deliver technical ADAS and bespoke Quality Control training.
Steer Automotive is partnering with Ashley Wiltshire to deliver management training to its leaders, with 17 colleagues so far going through the first instalment of the Steer Management Development Programme (MDP).
PJB Accident Repairs has announced it has become an approved Nissan repairer.
Industry News
Uninsured driver numbers on the increase
Data released by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau has revealed that there is an average of 300,000 uninsured vehicles driving on UK roads every day.
BASF and WHW Recycling make battery cell production more sustainable
BASF has entered an agreement on the processing of cathode and anode waste to make battery cell production in Europe more sustainable.
Thatcham Research unveils new ADAS course
Thatcham Research has launched a new ADAS Aware e-learning course to address the existing skills gap around the technology.
SYNETIQ launches carbon calculation project
IAA company SYNETIQ is developing its sustainability strategy by calculating the carbon footprint of its auction vehicles.
Eyebox open day and networking lunch
Eyebox has welcomed suppliers, staff, customers, and guests to the official open day of its Training and Conference Centre.
Avant announces FSQS certification
Avant has successfully renewed our FSQS (Financial Services Qualification System) certification!
Silverlake celebrates sustainability double
Silverlake Automotive Recycling [Silverlake] has been recognised for its commitment to sustainability and the environment with two awards in a week.
Tesla Model Y named Car of the Year
AutoTrader has announced that the Tesla Model Y has been voted overall New Car of the Year by owners.
Meanwhile, auction prizes on the day include a Manchester United v Benfica, 1968 European Cup Final match programme, two corporate hospitality tickets for a Liverpool home champions league game next season, and an England cricket hat signed by six former captains.
VM News
European Commission to impose EV tariffs on China
An investigation by the European Commission has concluded that electric vehicle manufacturers in China are benefitting unfairly from subsidisation.
JLR and Chery announce EV collaboration
Building on their 12-year relationship and well-established joint venture, JLR and Chery have signed a Letter of Intent to strengthen CJLR’s product offer for the next era of electrification in China.
Mercedes-Benz introduces ACL to 15 European models
Mercedes-Benz is now introducing the intelligent further development for partially automated driving in Europe: The Automatic Lane Change function is now available in the Driving Assistance Plus Package for 33 European countries.
People
Polestar UK and Ireland has appointed Matt Gavlin as Managing Director.
Darren Keylock has been named Regional Branch Support Manager at Motofix ARC.
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words
ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference, set to deliver the highest calibre of attendees, contributors and debate in the UK body repair industry event calendar, is all set for next week.
Taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, the sell-out event will provide shared insights, interactive exhibits and networking opportunity for the UK’s key persons of influence from across the UK vehicle incident repair and insurance claims sector.
Supported by Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Copart, Entegral, Enterprise, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Assistance, S&G Response, Solera Audatex; along with Partners: e2e, Gemini ARC, Repairify and Prasco, the event is sponsored by Activate Group and Thatcham Research along with vehicle manufacturer – Stellantis which will host the ‘Stellantis Zone’ on the day featuring a number of its latest models including the Peugeot Expert (BEV), Jeep Avenger (BEV), and the Vauxhall Astra SW (BEV).
Adding a competitive element to the day courtesy of the Vauxhall BTCC Team – Power Maxed Racing’s driving simulator, Stellantis will also be offering the chance to win VIP tickets to a BTCC event.
Around 50 key motor insurance claims influencers are confirmed to attend, along with a host of vehicle manufacturer representatives; over 100 of the UK’s leading accident repair operators; as well as the sector’s leading suppliers.
Delegates will hear thoughts from insurers, vehicle manufacturers, repairers and other key persons of influence from across the sector on how, when and why the sector is preparing for the future including special sessions focused on ‘getting in shape to win more business’ and ‘acquisition, growth and integration’.
The conference agenda includes contributions from:
Chris Ashworth, Founder, ILC
Chris Downing, Head of Sales & Operations, Stellantis
Matthew Freeman, Managing Consultant at Solera cap hpi
Marc Holding, Managing Director, The Vella Group
Andrew Jobling, Supply Chain Lead, UKGI Supply Chain, Aviva
Tom Leggett, Vehicle Technology Manager, Thatcham Research
Ulrike Lucas, Head of Procurement & Supply – Allianz Claims, Allianz Insurance plc
Dawn Marsden, Head of Claims Supplier Management and Engineering Services, esure
Robert Snook, CEO, Business Success Global
Pete Thompson, Director of Product, Activate Group
Victoria Turner, Executive Director, Ryemarc Group
Click here to see the full agenda for the day. (insert link)
To find out more about the opportunities available to get involved in the event – exhibition or sponsorship, or how to become an ARC360 Partner contact mark@iloveclaims.com or liane@iloveclaims.com.
For a full overview of last year’s event, click here.
Stellantis will be hosting its national repair network forum on the 26 June at the same venue.
