Repairers return to traditional business model
Enterprise Rent-A-Car believes the complexity of modern vehicles is prompting bodyshops to refocus on their core function of repairing cars.
Industry interview: Claire Hart, National Sales Manager, Entegral
Innovation within vehicle repair has changed everything from tooling to training to methods. Keeping track of the evolution is no small challenge for time-pressed bodyshops. Here, Entegral National Sales Manager Claire Hart explains how the right Bodyshop Management System can ease the pressure on repairers and improve efficiencies.
ZEV mandate targets revised
The UK Government has revised targets of its Zero Emission Vehicle mandate, which requires manufacturers to sell an increasing number of zero-emission vehicles each year.
Gemini sets the standard with group-wide certification
Gemini Accident Repair Centres has announced that all its 30 sites have now achieved the BS10125 vehicle repair standard.
Gemini Plymouth was the latest to be accredited, achieving the standard just three months after launch.
Work WellFest agenda looks well
ARC360 and ILC have joined forces with Corporate Partners Entegral and Gemini Accident Repair Group to launch Work WellFest to coincide with World Mental Health Day on Tuesday 10 October 2023.
The cross-section of virtual events is designed to meet the needs of all colleagues and industry peers are set to include interviews with Gemini ARC’s Dave Sargeant and radio presenter Ryan Swain, and even a yoga session.
Gemini continues apprenticeship commitment
Gemini ARC has underlined its commitment to developing new talent and future-proofing its business by welcoming its ninth cohort of multi-skill apprentices to Emtec College.
Fix Auto UK marks mental health milestone
Fix Auto UK has marked a significant wellbeing milestone after its 100th colleague completed their Mental Health First Aid England course.
The training was introduced 18 months ago with the aim of ensuring every franchise partner in the network has at least two qualified Mental Health First Aiders on site.
Vertu gears up for Yeovil launch
Vertu Motors is set to cut the ribbon on its new repair centre. Based in Yeovil, the site is JLR, BMW and Volvo approved.
Parkway to unveil new site
Parkway Prestige has announced it will open a brand new accident repair centre in the first quarter of next year. The Manchester-based business is now recruiting.
Avant announces Glasurit partnership
Avant Repair Network has named Glasurit UK as its preferred supplier for automotive refinish products.
Ipswich ARC announces ADAS investment
Ipswich ARC and Gold Windscreens are now ADAS capable after investing in the installation of diagnostic tooling and equipment from Repairify Europe.
Stellantis in seventh heaven
Stellantis held its seventh specialist training event of the year as part of its UK Accident Repair Programme.
Supported by Robert Snook at Business Success Global, the sessions supported network members maximise their potential and develop relationships with local retail dealerships.
RWC Training launches new site
RWC Training has unveiled its latest training facility. The new Milton Keynes site offers increased capacity and is equipped to deliver training courses and qualifications in paint, panel, MET, glazing, ADAS, EVs and welding.
Plunky’s All Stars score for charity
Steve Plunkett’s Plunky’s All Stars charity football match raised £21,709.52 for Norfolk hospice Tapping House. The charity initiative has now raised more than £93,000 over the past nine years.
IMI warns of training downshift
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has warned that the government’s decision to delay the ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030 to 2035 could have a negative impact on skills training.
Steve Nash, IMI CEO, believes there is a now a serious risk that automotive aftermarket services will not be ready to handle EVs safely in the future as a result of a stalling of investment in skills and infrastructure.
Used car prices soften slightly
Data from cap hpi has revealed that used car values fell by their largest amount since 2008 in September.
It found that values deccreased by 1.9%, an average of £420, at the three-year, 60,000-mile point. Meanwhile, values at the one-year age point dropped by 1.6%, or £575.
Nissan supercharges EV shift
Nissan is pressing ahead with a €40m investment at two sites, London-based Nissan Design Europe and the nearby Nissan Technical Centre Europe, that are supporting its ambition of selling only all-electric vehicles in Europe by 2030.
Today EVs represent 16% of Nissan’s total sales in Europe.
SYNETIQ celebrates dismantling skills certification
SYNETIQ has become the first UK vehicle recycler to complete an Institute of Motor Industry-accredited course in EV dismantling.
The course is the country’s first dismantling-specific training based on national occupational standards and teaches delegates how to make high voltage vehicles safe and how to remove high voltage components and batteries after the vehicle has been made safe.
Thatcham Research shares insights with Covea
Thatcham Research recently hosted members from Covea Insurance at its Gamston Aviation testing facility.
The interactive session with Principal Engineer, ADAS, Yousif Al-Ani, explored a wide range of topics crucial to the evolution of vehicle technology and safety, while live demonstrations showcased AEB/ACC features, offered real-time driver monitoring data, and highlighted both the capabilities and limitations of BlueCruise.
evolvAD trial advances automotion
The latest autonomous driving research project, evolvAD, has officially got underway.
Backed by partners including Nissan and the UK government, the 21-month project will test autonomous and connected car technologies in both urban and rural environments.
Funky Cat purrs to five-star rating
GWM ORA’s Funky Cat has achieved a five-star rating by Green NCAP, which measures a car according to clean air, energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions.
The Funky Cat scored an overall 97%, with a 10 out of 10 mark for fuel efficiency in both cold and warm starts.
eBay unveils parts guarantee solution
eBay has introduced a new ‘Assured Fit’ guarantee to help the industry find the right part for their repair.
Users simply enter their vehicle information using eBay’s newly-enhanced MyGarage function, which will automatically select the part of accessory suited to that make and model.
BASF supports portable charging solution
BASF has supported the development of a new portable charging system by LAPP. The Mobility Dock features BASF’s innovative engineering plastic, Ultramid.
Mirka unveils latest in belt innovation
Mirka has unveiled a new range of surface conditioning belts.
Robust and adaptive for high quality finishes, the belts are suitable for manufacturing, restoration, panel beating and bodyshop applications.
WorldSkills entries open
Entries are now open for the WorldSkills UK Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Heroes Awards.
Categories include: Initiative of the Year, Network of the Year, Rising Star, Inclusive Skills Development, Pioneer Award, Role Model, Skills Competition Advocate, and Skills Competition Diversity Champion.
Production dips 9.7% in August
UK car production fell 9.7% in August after six months of steady growth. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has reported that 45,052 units were manufactured during the month.
However, manufacturing of green vehicles was up 2.8% while commercial vehicle (CV) manufacturing grew 8.6% to 6,600 units, the best August figure for 11 years.
UK considers new speed camera technology
New camera technology which can identify if a driver brakes hard before speed cameras and then speeds up again could be introduced in the UK after a successful trial in Spain.
The technology has been developed by dashcam manufacturer and safety campaign group Road Angel.
Interest wanes in EVs
Research from Auto Trader has revealed that the number of people considering buying an electric car has fallen sharply since 2021.
It found that 37% of car buyers say they are unlikely to ever buy an EV, up from 21% in 2021, while 39% say they might buy an EV by 2035, which is 10% lower than in 2021.
Ambulance Fleet ARC secures van repair certification
VBRA Commercial has announced that Bristol Ambulance Fleet ARC has been awarded the VBRA Structural Elite Van Standard. The standard recognises continued high standards in van repairs.
Training critical despite 2030 delay
Warrantywise has urged the industry to see beyond the 2030 delay and concentrate on developing EV skills.
Lawrence Whittaker, CEO, said, “We don’t have the talent to look after the EVs of today, and we’re not doing enough to prepare for the future, regardless of if that’s 2030 or 2035.”
UK drivers tempted by e-bike affordability
Nearly half of UK drivers are considering using e-bikes in conjunction with their cars.
According to research carried out by Auto Trader, 47% of those surveyed are open to the idea of mixing car usage with e-bikes.
People
Laura Brailey has been promoted to the role of Mazda Sales Director UK, replacing Peter Allibon, who is moving to Director, Sales and Dealer Network, Europe.
Sherwin Williams Automotive Refinishes has appointed Robert Curley as Business Development Manager UK.
Martin Brown has achieved Vehicle Damage Assessor certification from The Institute of Automotive Engineer Assessors.
