Category: Environment

First names revealed for ARC360 future tech agenda 

Three key persons of influence from the insurance sector are the first speaker names revealed for ARC360’s ‘future technology’ themed conference in June. 

Taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry – sponsored by Activate Group and Thatcham Research – the event will canvass insights from across the sector and beyond in a bid to explore how the motor claims incident repair sector is transitioning towards a high-tech future. 

• Fix Auto Tewkesbury owner Kevin Dunlop is on his way to becoming a multi-site operator after receiving the keys to a new 55,000sqft facility that will operate as Fix Auto Hereford. A former packaging distribution centre, the site is now being transformed into a fully-equipped 11-bay bodyshop repairing upwards of 40 cars a month.

• FMG Repair Services will open its 66^th site in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, in the coming months. FMG has also announced that it has extended it incident management contract with estate agents Connells.

• Fix Auto Mid Devon & Newton Abbott’s Alena Woolacott was presented with her Inspiring Automotive Woman award at the IMI annual awards dinner.

• Kudos Bodyworks has unveiled its second site, based in Biggin Hill, Bromley.

• KC Auto’s Atherton site has passed its latest BS10125:2022 audit.

• Shildon-based Alan Reed ARC has announced that its technicians have completed EV training with partner Tesla. The site has also invested in dedicated structural aluminium repair bays.

• JCT600 Accident Repair Centre Bradford and Sheffield has attained Lotus approval

• Stanways Autobodies has unveiled its new, purpose-built site, designed to enhance efficiency and reduce waste in our repair process.

• Glasgow-based Agmors Coachworks has expanded into a new site in the city.

• Turners Accident Repair, which operates five sites across Yorkshire, has announced that Stuart Turner has been appointed Chairman and Tom Turner promoted to Managing Director. Meanwhile, Graham Pickering has been named Director of Operations and Dawn Swales is promoted to Director of HR.

• Chartwell has once again been awarded its Official McLaren Approved Bodyshop Certificate.

New data reveals growing appetite for sustainable solutions

Solera has announced the results of a new study surveying over 8,000 drivers across Europe which reveals the industry isn’t matching customers’ appetite for green vehicle repair options. 

Less than a quarter (23%) of European drivers have heard from their auto insurer about sustainable policy options and when their vehicle was repaired, less than a third (32%) were offered the choice between new or used parts. This is despite over half of drivers (53%) saying they are genuinely concerned about the environmental impact of vehicle repairs and maintenance. 

Trend Tracker publishes Monthly metrics

Trend Tracker’s latest monthly report on the status of the UK vehicle incident repair market has revealed that repair costs rose six per cent between February 2023 and 2024.

Its latest Monthly Key Metrics report also found that key-to-key times were 30% down over the same 12-month period, while cycle and lead times were down 14% and two per cent respectively.

Meanwhile, volumes were up by four per cent.

Automotive skills shortage as severe as ever

The automotive industry skills shortage shows no signs of abating, according to a new report published by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

Its UK Automotive Vacancy Overview report has found that there are 4.3 vacancies for every 100 employees in the sector, with 23,000 automotive jobs currently unfilled.

Copart expands with Gloucester site

Copart UK is expanding storage capacity in the south west of England with a new 30-acre site in Gloucester.

It has acquired a former Cazoo site which will provide storage for an additional 30,000 vehicles per annum.

Prasco highlights the benefits of replacement parts

Prasco has emphasised the benefits of choosing high-quality aftermarket crash repair parts in a new blog.

It highlights cost, durability and the range of options as the main advantages of using replacement parts in repair.

NWVA on Spanish steps

Nationwide Assistance Group has announced that it hopes to open its new Spanish office in the next few months.

Insurance hikes explained

Activate Group has sought to explain the 34% increase in motor insurance.

It attributes these hikes to higher operational costs for repairers, a shortage of repair capacity, challenges around parts supply, the cost of courtesy cars, and the impact of new technology such as EVs and ADAS.

Top tips to manage stress

Automotive charity Ben has released advice on how colleagues in the industry can deal with increasing stresses.

It has compiled a list of coping strategies that its own Life Coaches use to improve their wellbeing and cope with pressure.

Outsorc celebrates global successes

Outsorc has announced that in the last 12 months its network management platform MONITRR completed more than 200,000 assessments and audits across nearly 50 manufacturer programmes, with an average session time of just over two minutes.

Silverlake secures EV dismantling skills

Silverlake Automotive Recycling colleagues have completed an IMI-accredited dismantling training course with ELEVATE.

The NA International EV dismantling course equipped two Silverlake colleagues with the skills to make high voltage vehicles safe and then remove high voltage components and batteries.

Axalta Refinish secures LV= and Allianz agreement

Axalta Refinish has been named a preferred supplier to both the LV= and Allianz networks after signing five-year partnerships.

It will deliver refinish technology to both through its premium refinish brands Cromax, Spies Hecker, Standox as well as Axalta’s brand U-POL.

Time ticking down on in-vehicle touchscreens

New regulations limiting the reliance on touchscreens in vehicles will be introduced from January 2026 after research has found that they reduce road safety.

Meanwhile, Euro NCAP will change its testing rules to penalise vehicle manufacturers who do not provide physical switchgear for operations including indicators, hazard lights, the horn, and windscreen wipers.

SMMT urges AV Bill support

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has called on parliament to quickly pass the Automated Vehicles (AV) Bill to enable the UK to capitalise on the benefits of autonomous driving.

It says self-driving technology could add £38bn to the UK economy by 2040 while preventing 3,200 road deaths and 53,000 serious accidents.

Thatcham Research named IMI Partner of the Year

Thatcham Research has been named Partner of the Year by the Institute of the Motor Industry.

It was presented with the award at the IMI’s annual dinner in recognition of their 30-year partnership, during which time Thatcham Research became the first training provider to develop MET and VDA EPA standards with the IMI.

Key partnerships for PartXchange

PartsXchange has accelerated its ambition to become a one-stop hub for the collision repair industry by signing two new partnerships.

AllThingsCX has been named its new communications partner, while customers will now be able to connect remotely to a network of technicians following a new agreement with Complete Diagnostics.

MIB announces uninsured driver crackdown

The MIB has announced a new initiative launched in conjunction with West Midlands Police targeting uninsured drivers.

Operation Scalis allows officers to focus solely on uninsured driving for a period of 22 days. Almost 70 vehicles were seized in the first six days of the operation, with 16 more days planned in the coming months.

Ghost broking conviction

A 26-year-old man has been sentenced after selling over a dozen fake car insurance policies to drivers.

Following an investigation led by City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), supported by the Insurance Fraud Bureaa, Aviva, esure, Markerstudy, Mulsanne, and Sabre, Mohsin Yousaf was sentenced to 20 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Ford unveils third Dunton laboratory

Ford has opened its new Propulsion Development Laboratory at the Dunton Campus following a £24m investment.

The third new lab opened on site in two years, it will develop and test EV powertrains.

Breathe gives life to faster Volvo charging

Volvo has announced a new partnership with Breathe Battery Technologies to access its latest charging software, which it claims can take a battery from 10% to 80% in 30% less time.

• Copart has announced that Jay Adair will step down as Co-CEO and take up the role of Executive Chairman. Jeff Liaw has been appointed at sole CEO.

• 3M has appointed William Brown as Chief Executive Officer. He succeeds Michael Roman, who has been named Executive Chairman.

• James Toms has been named Sales Director South at Morelli Group.

• Halo ARC has appointed Trenton Dambrowitz as Chief Technology Officer.

• Alex Omeltschenko has joined Exclusive Vehicle Assessors.