Plug-in popularity continues to surge

Trend Tracker’s latest Market Snapshot has revealed the continued surge in demand for plug-in vehicles while highlighting persistent disruption to supply.

Produced with the support of Solera Audatex, cap hpi and the SMMT, Trend Tracker’s analysis for October contained the prediction that more plug-ins will being sold this year than during all of the last decade. 

The insight from SMMT revealed, new car sales during the month fell by nearly a quarter to make it the worst performing October overall since 1991. This has partly contributed to a continued rise in the value of used cars, although cap hpi confirmed growth slowed to 1.2% in October following the largest ever ‘in month’ rise in September, when prices surged 5.9% for the average three-year-old car with 60,000 miles on the clock.

With used car prices still at an all-time high, the repair sector is seeing an increased volume of large repairs, which is increasing repair and key-to-key times in an already busy sector.

Trend Tracker reported increased demand on parts, paint and consumables as a result, demand into a supply chain which is experiencing challenges (driver shortage and component part delays). As such, the average repair cost rose again to £2,265.

The monthly report is free to all Trend Tracker subscribers, subscription can be started here.

Meanwhile, Trend Tracker will deliver a more forensic analysis of the market at ARC360’s Back to the Future event on 25 November, when it will look at the fluctuations in supply and demand, the fall of claims spend during the pandemic, and the pressure to reduce insurance premiums while supply chain costs continue to rise.

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

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ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

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Weekly News Round Up: Friday 5 November 2021

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ARC360 has revealed some of the key persons of influence set to take to the stage at its Back to the Future event on 25 November at the British Motor Museum.

  • Dawn Marsden, Head of GI Supplier Management, LV=
  • Richard Steer, Chief Executive of Steer Automotive
  • Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research
  • Darren Wills, Executive Director, Motofix ARC
  • Dave Shepherd, NED/Advisor/Mentor/Coach
  • Paul Sell, Associate Director, Trend Tracker

Allianz appoints repair partners

Allianz Insurance has appointed its Approved Repairer Network consisting of two national suppliers and six regional groups, with partners selected according to their ability to repair electric vehicles, perform ADAS recalibrations and provide green parts.

The insurer also prioritised repairer groups that are carbon neutral or working towards it, and whose methods favour repair over replace.

Fix appoints first franchisee in Northern Ireland

After almost 16 years, Fix Auto UK has a presence in Northern Ireland with the appointment of Fix Auto Lagan Side.

Greer Gardiner who runs the family-owned business in County Down, is the first in the region to officially join the network, ensuring that for the first time since the Fix Auto concept was brought from Canada to Britain in 2005, the network can be truly viewed as a complete, fully branded, UK-wide operation.

The business, which is currently known as Bodyworxni, is just 20 miles from the centre of Belfast and will operate as Fix Auto Lagan Side.

“This is another exciting milestone for the business,” said Ian Pugh, Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director.

Innovation Group names new operations director

The Innovation Group has appointed Catherine Hulme as Operations Director for Motor Business. She will be responsible for the implementation of the Group’s strategic objectives as well as maintaining customer relationships within motor.

Catherine has more than 25 years’ experience in the industry, working within operations, strategy, transformation, procurement, and the supply chain.

Repairify selects new training VP

Repairify has hired automotive training and development veteran Chris Chesney as its new Vice President of Training and Organisational Development. He will be tasked with establishing a comprehensive training initiative for customers, industry partners, employees and the network of technicians throughout the global Repairify ecosystem.

MRW reveals recycling shortlists

The Green Parts Specialists and Ageas Insurance have been recognised for their green parts initiatives. Both have made the shortlist in the Partnership Excellence – Commercial category of the MRW National Recycling Awards.

The awards recognise inspirational teams and projects in the recycling and resource management industry and are considered the most prestigious in the sector. The winners will be announced on 8 December at a joint event with the National Recycling Conference.

Motofix upskills workforce with ecademy

Motofix Group is extending its partnership with Thatcham Research to provide access to ecademy for all its 200-plus workforce for the next three years.

ecademy is Thatcham Research’s online learning management system. Included within the package is content addressing key EV competences as well personalised assessment tools and learning plans.

Motofix had already provided its apprentices with access to Thatcham Research’s blended learning programmes though the Automotive Academy, but this extension is intended to safeguard the skills of safety of its entire workforce.

Motofix chairman, Richard Tutt said: “ecademy is the perfect solution for developing the technical knowledge and awareness of changing vehicle technology.”

Admiral taps into ADAS data

Admiral will incorporate ADAS data in its pricing and underwriting through LexisNexis Vehicle Build, which has been developed by LexisNexis Risk Solutions to help insurers identify and evaluate standard and optional ADAS fitted to individual vehicles.

LexisNexis Vehicle Build is the result of years of research and development, during which more than 2.7 million vehicles were tested with insurers in the UK and Europe.

Gemini receives apprentice gold

Gemini has been awarded the Gold Award for 2021/2022 by The 5% Club, recognising it has exceeded the government target of apprentices making up five per cent of the workforce. At the time of submission Gemini boasted a 12.4% ratio of apprentices, and that has since risen to 14%.

Meanwhile, Gemini has announced that its first Level 3 ART apprentices are now completing their End Point Assessments, while a further 24 apprentices will join the group in the coming months.

Government considers new road safety body

The government is considering setting up a new investigation branch dedicated to learning lessons from road traffic collisions. The Road Collision Investigation Branch (RCIB) would investigate certain incidents to establish cause and then make safety recommendations to improve road safety.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has now launched a consultation on the establishment of the RCIB, which it says would operate much like similar independent bodies that already exist for air, maritime and rail accidents.

Artis celebrates fifth birthday

Artis Accident Care is celebrating its fifth year of trading. The family business launched with two sites but had expanded to nine within three years and has now announced plans to develop two further bodyshops in the South East this year.

Jamie Smithyes, Managing Director, said, “Our strength as a team and our passion is what sets us apart and it’s what we attribute our continued success to.”

Covea and Verex agree partnership

Covéa Insurance has announced a new partnership with Verex Group which will enable customers to buy manufacturer-branded motor insurance at the same time as purchasing a new or used vehicle from within the Verex alliance.

Covéa Insurance joins an existing panel of insurance underwriters to provide broader capacity to support the market growth in electric vehicles.

New academy set up to Steer the future

Steer Automotive Group has launched the Steer Academy, a new apprenticeship programme established to create a continuous pipeline of young talent.

The group launched the programme with a series of open evenings this week, showcasing the sector to parents, teachers and students keen to start an apprenticeship. The open nights were held in Leicester and Tamworth, with a third planned for Northampton on Monday.

Insurers incentivise EV switch

As sales of battery electric vehicles continue apace, according to latest figures, LV= General Insurance and Direct Line have both taken steps to accelerate the switch to electric vehicles.

ElectriX, powered by LV=, has been set up to provide drivers with insights into the basics of electric vehicle ownership, charging, and cost implications.

Meanwhile, Direct Line has partnered with Zoom EV to offer customers a free bundle of discounts and benefits designed for hybrid and electric vehicle owners. Benefits include discounts on public charging and reduced costs on home electricity. 

New review lifts lid on Covid impact

Grant Thornton has published a review looking at the impact Covid-19 has had on the automotive industry.

The review collates expert views on the upstream and downstream sectors of the industry, the benefits that can be generated by claiming research and development expense credits, the developments within the FCA and their implications, as well a breakdown of key mergers and acquisitions.

Customers have their say

The Insurance Choice Awards winners have now been revealed. The Insurance Choice Awards are the only independent insurance awards chosen exclusively by customer votes.

Saga was named Best Big Insurance Company, while One Call Insurance won the Best Overall Insurance Broker gong. The Innovation of the Year award went to Laka, Mayfair Online was crowned Customer Service Champion, Laka and Collingwood shared the Treating Customers Fairly award, while Protect Your Kids won Best Newcomer and Honcho picked up the Best App award.

Ford creates new mobility studio

The first five start-ups selected to take part in Ford’s cleaner transportation initiative have been announced. Ford has set up The Mobility Studio with Newlab to provide an innovation hub where companies focusing on sustainable mobility solutions can work, collaborate and build partnerships.

The five companies are Autofleet, EVPassport, Fermata Energy, Rhombus Energy Solutions and SparkCharge.

Industry warned of HGV claims spike

The motor insurance industry has been warned to guard against a rise in fraudulent claims against foreign-registered vehicles involved in accidents in the UK. International insurance law firm DAC Beachcroft, working with cross-border claims representative InterEurope UK, believes the predicted spike in fraudulent claims could centre around heavy goods vehicles.

Dan Prince, counter fraud partner at DAC Beachcroft. “Given that these motor claims fall outside the Official Injury Claim portal, we anticipate this area will be targeted by an increasing number of fraudsters.”

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ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

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ARC360 reveals more key speakers

ARC360 has revealed more key speaker names set to take to the stage as part of its ‘Back to the Future’ conference later this month.

‘Back to the Future’ takes place at the British Motor Museum on Thursday, 25 November, under the ARC360 banner of Gaining Ground Together – a key principle which has seen the forum help unite the incident repair sector since its inception in 2019.

The latest names to be revealed include: Darren Wills, Executive Director, Motofix ARC who will share his thoughts on the future opportunities and challenges for repairers; Dave Shepherd, NED/Advisor/Mentor/Coach who, with vast global sector experience, will bring high level strategic thinking to the fore; and Paul Sell, Associate Director of ARC360 data and insights partner Trend Tracker who will share some of the latest market intelligence whilst also helping generate some ‘real time’ insights.

ARC360 co-founder Mark Hadaway said, “We are delighted to have the ongoing support for ARC360 from key persons of influence from across the sector.

“Back to the Future will call on the experience of these industry experts to assess, analyse and interpret – at a multitude of levels – just what the recent past might mean for the future of the sector.”

Further details about ‘Back to the Future’ and an online booking can be found here

ARC360, in association with I Love Claims, is supported by corporate partners BASF, BMS, Copart, EMACS, Entegral, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Innovation Group, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance, S&G Response, Sherwin Williams and CAPS; partners asTech, The Green Parts Specialists, Indasa and Prasco UK.

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

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Back to the Future stars revealed

ARC360’s much-anticipated return to physical events features an expert line-up of industry leaders all set to consider what the recent past might mean for the future.

Providing an insurers’ view on the day will be Dawn Marsden, Head of GI Supplier Management, LV=, while Richard Steer, Chief Executive of Steer Automotive will provide his take on developments from a repairer perspective. Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research will also be on hand discussing the changing world of claims and repair.

Mark Hadaway, ARC360 co-founder, said, “Our industry, like most, has undergone incredible disruption in recent times. The ramifications are still being felt and this will likely be the case for years to come, but understanding where we are now and what is ahead is the most effective way of future-proofing any business.

“Back to the Future will provide a collaborative, interactive environment where we can share insights and work together to develop ideas that will make us more robust both collectively and individually.”

The event, which takes place at the British Motor Museum on 25 November, is themed ‘Back the Future’ and is held under the ARC360 banner of Gaining Ground Together.

Further details about the event and online booking can be found here

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

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Weekly News Round Up: Friday 22 October 2021

ARC360 goes Back to the Future

ARC360 is heading Back to the Future as it makes a return to physical events on Thursday 25 November 2021 at the British Motor Museum.

Under the ARC360 banner of Gaining Ground Together and themed Back to the Future, the experiential event will create an environment for collaboration, interaction and innovative thinking.

Click here to register

Thatcham Research partners with ILC & ARC360

I Love Claims and ARC360 is delighted to announce Thatcham Research as its latest Insurer and Industry Body Partner.

The partnership will further support I Love Claims’ ambition to help individuals and companies operating within the insurance claims industry to ‘be better tomorrow’ through what we experience today.

Thatcham Research’s Dean Lander, head of repair sector services, said, “With our longstanding relationship with ILC, and over more recent years ARC360, it makes perfect sense to take the next step in becoming an Insurance and industry body partner.”

Repairify to unify automotive brands

Repairify has announced it will align its automotive brands to become a global leader in technology and intelligence serving the collision, mechanical and dealership sectors.

Unified under the tagline, ‘Driven by Repairify’, automotive brands asTech, adasThink, BlueDriver, FleetGenix, Mobile Tech RX and RED will align in the pursuit of improving and developing vehicle care, performance and safety through a combination of OEM and OEM-compatible tools and data.

BASF agrees environmental partnership with ECA

BASF’s Automotive Refinish division has underpinned its commitment to achieving net zero status by 2050 by appointing ECA Business Energy as an environmental partner.

ECA Business Energy, which has been working with the automotive sector to help businesses achieve PAS 2060 status, will help BASF’s Coating division achieve carbon neutral growth until 2030.

The partnership will also see ECA Business Energy recommend BASF brands Glasurit and R-M to all bodyshops it is supporting to achieve their environmental targets.

AutoRaise Rally return confirmed

AutoRaise has confirmed the AutoRaise Rally will return in 2022 after a two-year Covid-enforced break. Taking place from 21-23 September, the Rally will start in Stratford and then follow a route through Wales, with overnight stops in Aberystwyth and Cardiff.

Rules will remain unchanged, with teams able to enter a Banger or a Classic. Teams will be asked to make a £500 deposit to enter and expected to raise at least that amount again for the charity.

Anyone interested can email. Entries close on 14 March.

Polestar adds Fix sites to approved network

Polestar has identified Fix Auto Blackburn and Fix Auto Dagenham as among the first bodshops in the UK to begin the journey towards achieving approved repairer status. They have been selected on the strength of the service they provide to Polestar’s parent company, Volvo.

Steve Plunkett, Volvo and Polestar’s body and paint programme development manager, said: “Polestar is now firmly established here in the UK. It’s a brand that is growing at a phenomenal pace and we are having to effectively play catch-up by providing owners with a network of approved repairers who meet the demands and requirements laid out by years of service to motorists by Volvo.”

Meanwhile, Fix Auto UK has appointed Rob Pugh to head up its division of owned repair centres. The 25-year-old takes up the position of head of commercial for Fix Auto UK (Owned Sites) with immediate effect.

SBS strengthens team

Smart Bodyshop Solutions Exeter has appointed Gavin Barefoot as operations team manager. Steve Heardson has also joined the group, which has increased capacity ahead of schedule.

Gavin, who brings with him a wealth of experience, said, “I am extremely happy and excited to join a dynamic and forward-thinking bodyshop group. Here’s to continued growth and evolution.”

No end in sight for high car prices

Inflated used car prices are expected to continue into 2022 as the disrupted supply of new vehicles continues to impact the sector.

The Cox Automotive and Grant Thornton Automotive Insight Report found that a shortage of new cars entering the market has resulted in drivers holding onto their vehicles for longer, raising demand for used cars.

The report also predicted that online car buying is here to stay, while drivers are moving away from ownership to short-term lease and subscription offers, driven by the growth in electric vehicles, which often come with finance options.

Cazoo continues commercial vehicle plans

Cazoo is acquiring Vans365 ahead of plans to introduce commercial vehicles to its online retail proposition later this year.

Based in Bristol, Vans365 buys and sells hundreds of commercial vehicles each month with revenues this year expected to reach £14m.

The deal is valued at £6.5m and subject to FCA approval.

UK’s largest EV battery Gigafactory announced

The UK’s largest Gigafactory developing batteries for electric vehicles is being built in Coventry.

The West Midlands Gigafactory, a public private joint venture between Coventry City Council and Coventry Airport, will be the size of 74 football fields and directly create 6,000 highly skilled jobs as well as thousands more in the supply chain.

Following an investment of £2.5bn, it will begin production in 2025.

Tesla launches new insurance package

Tesla has launched a new car insurance model in Texas. CEO Elon Musk made the announcement at a recent shareholder’s meeting.

Tesla already offers insurance in California, but its Texas offering is substantially different as it is based solely on a driver safety score that is calculated on a daily basis according to the following factors: forward-collision warnings, hard braking, aggressive turning, unsafe following, and forced autopilot disengagement.

Meanwhile, Tesla has also been granted approval to develop a 29-mile network of tunnels under Las Vegas. Serviced by a fleet of Teslas, the underground network is intended to reduce congestion.

Catch up…

Watch the showreel of ILC’s first ever Exclusive Motor Claims Conference.

The event included a spectacular line-up of speakers from across the industry, discussing the day’s most pressing topics including understanding data, evolving market dynamics, legislative reforms, and the many moving parts needing to fit together to provide a seamless motor claims journey.

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

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Thatcham Research partners with ILC & ARC360

I Love Claims and ARC360 is delighted to announce Thatcham Research as its latest Insurer and Industry Body Partner.

The partnership will further support I Love Claims’ ambition to help individuals and companies operating within the insurance claims industry to ‘be better tomorrow’ through what we experience today.

Thatcham Research is the UK automotive industry’s only ‘not for profit’ insurer-funded research organisation and hold a unique position thanks to its involvement and engagement with vehicle manufacturers, regulators, law enforcement organisations, automotive bodies repairers and insurers to provide a holistic view of the benefits or shortcomings of vehicle technologies. Thatcham Research is at the forefront of vehicle safety, security and repair.

Thatcham Research’s Dean Lander, head of repair sector services, said, “With our longstanding relationship with ILC, and over more recent years ARC360, it makes perfect sense to take the next step in becoming an Insurance and industry body partner. Thatcham Research have, for more than five decades, been driving change. In that time we have made many significant contributions to the automotive industry, without which the cars we drive would not be as safe, secure and repairable as they are today. Partnering with ILC and ARC360 will provide us with a platform to share our insights and help the industry map a path through the technology led challenges of today and tomorrow.”

Mark Hadaway, managing director of ILC, said, “This is another significant step forward for ILC. Thatcham Research shares our ambitions for supporting the continued development and growth of the sector. The organisation is at the cutting edge of the technological changes sweeping through the industry and we look forward to working in partnership as we strive to be ‘better tomorrow’.”

Thatcham Research joins an impressive list of ILC Insurer and Industry Body Partners, including Ageas, Aviva, Covea Insurance, ERS, insure the box, Managing General Agents’ Association, Markerstudy, Modern Insurance Magazine, Sabre Insurance Group, Swinton group, Tesco Underwriting, and Zurich.

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

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25-04-2025

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

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ARC360 heads Back to the Future

ARC360 is heading Back to the Future as it makes a return to physical events on Thursday 25 November 2021 at the British Motor Museum.

Under the ARC360 banner of Gaining Ground Together and themed Back to the Future, the experiential event will create an environment for collaboration, interaction and innovative thinking.

Back to the Future will bring together key persons of influence from across the automotive incident repair industry all providing their unique insights into the sectors evolution. A key theme throughout the event will be to unpack what significance the past has for the future and explore just what that future looks like short to medium term.

Mark Hadaway, ARC360 co-founder, said, “ARC360’s Back to the Future event will combine all the truly positive aspects of our ongoing digital programme within a live, interactive conference and exhibition format. 

“Plus, with the event taking place at the British Motor Museum – and time built into the day’s programme to ‘explore’ – ARC360’s unique approach will ensure the event really comes to life.”

Further details of the event, including online booking, can be found here.

ARC360, in association with I Love Claims, is supported by corporate partners BASF, BMS, Copart, EMACS, Entegral, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Innovation Group, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance, S&G Response, Sherwin Williams and CAPS; partners asTech, The Green Parts Specialists, Indasa and Prasco UK.

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

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25-04-2025

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16-04-2025

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Weekly News Round-Up: Friday 15 October 2021

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Join us for the highlights reel of ILC’s first ever Exclusive Motor Claims Conference.

The event included a spectacular line-up of speakers from across the industry, discussing the day’s most pressing topics, such as understanding data, evolving market dynamics, legislative reforms, and the many moving parts needing to fit together to provide a seamless motor claims journey.

Register now!

Enterprise appoints new Senior VP for Europe

Enterprise Holdings has appointed Khaled Shahbo as Senior Vice President for Europe. He takes over from Mike Nigro, who has retired from Enterprise following a distinguished 38-year career.

Khaled has served as Senior Vice President for the UK and Ireland since 2018. Under his stewardship, Enterprise expanded its range of services, technologies and branch network in both countries. This has included the development of the Enterprise Car Club business, along with the integration of SHB Hire into Enterprise’s Flex-E-Rent division to create one of the UK’s largest commercial vehicle rental companies.

Meanwhile, Enterprise Car Club service is now available in Ireland. More than 30 cars and vans have been sited, in eight towns and cities. These include 16 on-street sites in Dublin, from Merrion Square north to the Docklands, and Enterprise Rent-A-Car branches in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford, Tralee, Drogheda and Naas. The vehicles are available to rent on an hourly basis and so provide a convenient travel option for when a car is the best choice for a journey.

LV= adds to repairer support

LV= has worked with Audatex to fully fund its repairers LV= Audatex costs.

LV= will continue to cover its repairers Assessment, AudaVIN+ and Audainvoice fees, as well as now cover the LV= proportion of the Software and Solutions fees.  This expanded contribution will be effective 1 November and will be applied to repairers invoices 1 December.

Brian Hodge, Director of Customer Claims at LV= General Insurance, said: “Our Network have been incredible over the course of the pandemic and we see them as a critical extension of our customer service proposition. In today’s environment, where so many costs are escalating and repairers are having to find increasingly innovative solutions to stay profitable, we are proud to support them with full funding of their Audatex costs.”

Used values continue to break records

Average monthly used car values at BCA climbed during September to reach £11,817, making it the fourth consecutive month that BCA has reported record used car values.

The substantial rise is the largest monthly increase in average car values ever recorded at BCA and was heavily influenced by the rich mix of stock on offer across BCA’s online sales platforms and the impact of a shortage of new product in the market.

Year-on-year, average monthly values are up by 41.3%, the highest annual increase recorded.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group UK has renewed its long-standing relationship with BCA for outsourced remarketing services. The new three-year contract with the option of a further two-year extension will support Volkswagen Group UK brands; Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, SEAT, Cupra and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles.  BCA will handle the sale of over 40,000 vehicles per annum, repatriating the Volkswagen Group’s used vehicles into its franchise network.

SMMT: vehicles top UK’s export values

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has called on government to put the automotive sector at the heart of future trade negotiations, after publishing a new report confirming vehicles as the UK’s single most valuable goods trade export.

Vehicle export revenues reached £27bn in 2020, making them more valuable to the UK than power-generating machinery and gold, even during a year when the global pandemic disrupted trade flows and shut down markets around the world.

The UK automotive sector, as a whole, generated a total trade revenue of £74bn, underlying its importance to international trade, with more than 80% of British-built cars and more than 60% of light commercial vehicles destined for export.

The SMMT highlights that the UK’s trade policy must now take advantage of the opportunities from a post-Brexit, post-fossil fuel world to restore growth and jobs with automotive central to this ambition.

Insurance fraudster jailed

A man from Cambridge has been jailed after selling fraudulent car insurance deals to Polish community members living in the UK.

Marek Complak set up false or invalid car insurance policies by posing as a broker for well-known insurers. Complak was sentenced to two years and six months imprisonment for money laundering at Cambridge Crown Court following a four-week trial.

The outcome follows an investigation lead by City of London Police’s Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department (IFED), which was supported by the Insurance Fraud Bureau.

Grove Group appoints new head of sales

Grove Group has appointed Damon Curtis as head of strategic sales – a new role created to forge greater collaboration between vehicle manufacturers, insurers and the wider accident repair sector.

Damon, who has almost 40 years’ experience in the automotive repair market, joins from ACIS Ltd.

Damon said, “The market continues to change and Grove Group understands what is required, not only in the way of day to day product supply and support but by developing and positioning technology.”

Anthony Thorpe, Grove Group’s Business Development Director, said, “Damon joining the business will certainly help us take another progressive step forward.”

Copart supports Ben’s Big Breakfast

Copart team mates proudly put on their pajamas recently to support the Ben Automotive Charity’s ‘Big Breakfast’ fundraising event, as part of our ongoing Copart Cares CSR commitment.

The fundraising event for Ben took place across one week in October, ending on World Mental Health Day – 10 October.

Jane Pocock, Managing Director of Copart UK & Ireland, said, “I’m delighted with the effort our teams across the UK put into the Ben’s Big Breakfast events. Everyone had a lot of fun and together they raised a fantastic amount of money for Ben, which will help them to provide even more support services to the automotive community.”

JLR trials blockchain supply chain

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has trialled the use of secure blockchain technology to ensure full transparency within a sustainable leather supply chain. 

In the world-first, JLR partnered with supply chain traceability provider Circulor, leading UK leather manufacturer Bridge of Weir Leather Company and the University of Nottingham to trial the use of traceability technology in the leather supply chain. 

As well as tracking compliance, the digital process enabled JLR to assess the carbon footprint of its leather supply network, working with UK-based Bridge of Weir Leather Company to trace its lowest carbon leather from farm to finished article – all part of JLR’s commitment to reducing the environmental and ethical impact of its products across their lifecycle.

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Join us for ARC360 Gaining Ground Together Q4 2021 event – themed Back to the Future – where we will focus on understanding just what the past means for the future. Is it a completely new world the incident repair sector is operating in or does the past still provide some meaning for the future?

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

25-04-2025

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

16-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

11-04-2025

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Enterprise appoints new Senior VP for Europe

Enterprise Holdings has appointed Khaled Shahbo as Senior Vice President for Europe. He takes over from Mike Nigro, who has retired from Enterprise following a distinguished 38-year career.

Khaled has served as Senior Vice President for the UK and Ireland since 2018. Under his stewardship, Enterprise expanded its range of services, technologies and branch network in both countries. This has included the development of the Enterprise Car Club business, along with the integration of SHB Hire into Enterprise’s Flex-E-Rent division to create one of the UK’s largest commercial vehicle rental companies.

He takes responsibility for Enterprise’s European operations at a very important period for the business. Already one of Europe’s largest vehicle rental businesses with the most diverse fleet of vehicles, Enterprise will look to extend its leadership in shared mobility under Khaled’s direction. The business will also continue to expand its extensive network of more than 1,300 branches across EMEA, where it has operations in 48 countries.

“Khaled takes charge of our European operations at a very exciting time for both Enterprise and the entire mobility industry,” Enterprise Holdings President and Chief Executive Officer Chrissy Taylor said. “The next era of sustainable, shared transportation is around the corner — and we have the expertise, leadership, technologies and scale to help shape that future.”

“Rental and shared vehicles can be hugely beneficial for businesses and communities by providing them with affordable, convenient and sustainable transport options,” Shahbo said. “I look forward to working with city authorities on projects that comprise our fleet, branch network, bespoke technologies and expertise as part of the next generation of integrated transport networks, which will make our urban areas better places to live and work. Our team is focussed on developing shared mobility models and partnerships that provide customers with the right vehicle, in the right place at the right time.”

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

25-04-2025

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

16-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

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LV= adds to repairer support

LV= has worked with Audatex to fully fund its repairers LV= Audatex costs.

LV= will continue to cover its repairers Assessment, AudaVIN+ and Audainvoice fees, as well as now cover the LV= proportion of the Software and Solutions fees.  This expanded contribution will be effective 1 November and will be applied to repairers invoices 1 December.

Brian Hodge, Director of Customer Claims at LV= General Insurance, said: “Our Network have been incredible over the course of the pandemic and we see them as a critical extension of our customer service proposition. In today’s environment, where so many costs are escalating and repairers are having to find increasingly innovative solutions to stay profitable, we are proud to support them with full funding of their Audatex costs.” 

Chris Payne, Head of Networks and Engineering at LV= General Insurance, explained: “We understand the importance and value of our repair Network and will continue to find new ways of working collaboratively in order to share success and profitability moving forward. I would also like to thank Audatex in helping find a solution to getting this done.”

Marc Holding, Managing Director for the Vella Group, said the initial support provided by LV= during the first Covid Lockdown was ‘very timely’ and that the additional support “comes at a time where it will have a very real impact, with repairers adjusting to the post Covid trading environment, which is proving to be one in which financial pressures continue to mount.”

Neil Garrett, Sales Director, Audatex UK & South Africa said, “We are always open to creative ways to support our customers and I am delighted to expand this significant collaboration with LV= at such a crucial time in our economic recovery.  We are best when we recognise and share the challenges as an industry together.”

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ARC360 News – Friday 25 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

25-04-2025

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

16-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners