Category: People

Bodyshop Briefs

• Steer Group has hosted its final repair and refinishing Apprentice Skills competition at EMTEC Colleges and 3M. The competition was introduced to raise standards, boost confidence, hone problem-solving abilities, and enhance planning and time management skills.

• Motofix Accident Repair Centres has opened its first, dedicated Motofix Prestige Paint and Body Centre in Cirencester, following a £2.5m investment.

• Basingstoke-based R&R Autos Bodyshop has secured Carbon Neutral PAS2060 accreditation, thanks to the support of ECA Business Energy. 

• L&I Eaton ARC has opened new sites in Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle, and Aberdeen Central, with Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield all securing the latest BS10125:2022 standards. The Aberdeen site is working towards the standard.

• SMART Bodyshop Solutions has opened its seventh location. The new 20,000 sqft site is based in Hereford.

• The Vella Group hosted students from Manchester Young Lives at its Trafford Park site recently, raising awareness of the career options within the industry. It has now offered one student a work placement.

• Southside ARC has achieved carbon neutral PAS-2060 certification.

• Komoo has cut the ribbon on its 13th site. Based in Huddersfield, the site will be managed by Cheryl Craven. Further sites are expected to be opened this year.

• Crash Care Centre Hitchin has secured BS10125 certification.

ARC360 introduces inaugural breakfast Think Tank

ARC360’s first online Breakfast Think Tank took place recently, when more than 20 leading figures from across the vehicle incident repair sector met to share their views on the year ahead.

The Think Tank invited the panel to share their thoughts on what lies ahead in 2024, and the overwhelming immediate concern was the continued challenge around people and skills across the sector.

ARC360 set to explore future technology impacts and solutions

Following up on last year’s highly acclaimed specialist electric vehicle (EV) event, ARC360 is back on Thursday 27 June to further explore just how technology is shaping the future of the industry. 

The event, which takes place on Thursday 27 June at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry will canvass insights from across the sector and beyond in a bid to explore how the motor claims repair sector is transitioning towards a high-tech future, seeking insights from across the sector and beyond. 

ABI publishes plan to tackle insurance costs

The Association of British Insurers has published a 10-step roadmap intended to tackle rising insurance costs for drivers.

As part of the 10-step roadmap, the ABI will focus on greater transparency around insurance costs to support better customer decision-making. It will also try to mitigate the rising costs of vehicle thefts by working with the police to aid in the recovery of stolen vehicles.

Cap hpi predicts continued growth

Cap hpi’s latest car market overview has reported a strong start to 2024, with car sales up eight per cent in January to 142,876 units. Used car demand was also strong in both January and February, with values rising slightly in February for the first time in a year.

It is predicting continued growth through March.

HORIBA MIRA joins Euro NCAP network

Euro NCAP has welcomed HORIBA MIRA to its network of safety and assessment centres.

Expanded accreditation means the HORIBA MIRA laboratory is now recognised as an official site for active safety system testing on passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. 

ABI to publish AI governance guide

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) is working with experts to produce a guide to responsible AI innovation.

Focused on consumer outcomes, the first sector-specific guide will set out how insurers and those in the long-term savings industry can work within the UK government’s five principles around accountability, transparency, fairness, safety, contestability and redress.

Join the team for Plunky’s All Stars last game

The last ever Plunky’s All Stars charity football match will kick-off at the Football Development Centre in Norwich at 6.30pm on 28 June.

The match is being held to raise awareness around mental health after fireman Carl Mills took his own life two years ago.

Ben makes great progress with Race Across Britain

Ben’s new fundraising challenge, Race Across Britain, has raised more than £100,000 for the automotive charity.

The LKQ-sponsored challenge took place from 26-28 February and saw 27 teams of two complete the 1,300-mile journey without smart phones and limited by a strict budget.

WorldSkills open for entries

WorldSkills is inviting entries for its 2024 National Competition.

Regional competitions will take place over the next seven months across 49 skills before the National Finals take place in Manchester from 18-22 November.

UK production on the increase in 2024

UK car production began 2024 on the front foot with a 21% rise to 82,997 units in January.

Meanwhile, the UK commercial vehicle (CV) production grew by 26.9 to 11,756 units, marking the strongest January in 16 years.

SYNETIQ celebrates fifth birthday

SYNETIQ has thanked its customers, clients and colleagues as it celebrates its fifth birthday.

Apple scraps EV plans

It has been reported that Apple is abandoning plans to develop an electric car. Reports claims the news was announced during an internal team meeting this week, with focus instead shifting to generative AI projects.

VWG UK signs battery recycling deal

Volkswagen Group UK has signed an agreement with Ecobat tocollect and recycle EV batteries and battery materials from dealers, distributors, and end-of-life recycling centres.

Volvo launches new accident alert feature

Volvo has unveiled a new safety feature, Accident Ahead Alert, that warns drivers of accidents on the road in front of them by using real-time data from traffic management centres.

Stellantis sets date for Mobility Forum

Stellantis has announced that its second Freedom of Mobility Forum will take place on 3 April. The live online debate will feature five industry experts, addressing: “How will our planet accommodate the mobility needs of eight billion people?”

MG launches advanced hybrid supermini

MG has unveiled its new hybrid supermini, the MG3, which features advanced ADAS systems including Lane Keep Assist with Lane Departure Warning System, Adaptive Cruise Control, Forward Collision Warning, and Traffic Jam Assist.

Fisker reveals challenges and opportunities

Fisker’s latest financial report has revealed substantial ‘real world’ challenges around suppliers, interest rates and skills, and warns that additional investment will be crucial to secure its future.

However, it shifted to a dealer model at the end of 2023 and is hopeful of agreeing a deal with a large vehicle manufacturer that could include investment, joint development of EV platforms, and manufacturing.

Polestar secures substantial funding

Swedish EV manufacturer Polestar has secured £750m in additional funding. Investment was led by 12 leading international banks including BNP Paribas, Natixis, Standard Chartered, BBVA, HSBC and SPDB.

JLR ditches agency model plans

JLR is reported to have cancelled plans to move to an agency model and will refocus efforts on its franchised model.  

It had intended to move to a ‘direct to consumer’ model this year but has abandoned the plan due to ‘internal and external’ challenges.

MINI starts major production drive

BMW Group has announced that the first all-electric version of its MINI Countryman has rolled off factory lines at its Leipzig plant. It aims to produce 350,000 units each year.

People

• esure Group has appointed Dawn Mardsen as Head of Claims Supplier Management and Engineering Services.

• Jamie Smithyes has started his new roles as Director and Founder of Smooth Vehicle Logistics and Recovery and Director and Founder of H&RJ Investments and Consultancy for Steer London.

• Accident Credit Group has appointed Amy Dowle as Business Development Manager.

• Shane Whiten has started a new role as Assistant Manager at Steer Automotive.

• Avant has appointed Lungelwa Nteleko as Programme Support Executive.

• Europcar Mobility Group UK has appointed Jonathan Brownhill as Business Development Director within its insurance specialist team.

• James Onions has joined GSF Car Parts as Marketing and Communications Director.

ARC360 introduces inaugural Breakfast Think Tank

ARC360’s first online Breakfast Think Tank took place this week, when more than 20 leading figures from the across the vehicle incident repair sector met to share their views on the year ahead.

The session featured contributions from a panel of experts from vehicle repair, vehicle manufacturing, insurance, training and mobility.

Monthly Key Metrics

Trend Tracker’s latest monthly update has revealed that repair cost increases are still higher than inflation, but the rate of increase has slowed to six per cent year-on-year.

Cycle times are reducing although lead times are longer than this time last year, while repair volumes in January were four per cent higher than January 2023.

BASF signs sustainability partnership with INEOS

BASF’s Coatings Division has signed a strategic agreement with INEOS Automotive to develop sustainable vehicle body repair and paint refinish solutions. The partnership also incorporates product supply, shared expertise and training.

New data sees EV myths go up in smoke

Salary sacrifice specialist Tusker has analysed data from its fleet of more than 30,000 electric vehicles and found that they are 20 times less likely than petrol or diesel cars to catch fire.

EV training on the charge

New analysis from the IMI has found that 22% of technicians, or 55,000, are now EV qualified.

This is higher than anticipated, and the IMI has now revised its projection of when the industry will experience a skills gap in this area from 2029 to 2032.

Inclusion starts at the top

Business leaders need to set the standard to create a culture of inclusivity within their companies.

According to Rachel Clift, Health and Wellbeing Director at automotive charity Ben, those at the top of the organisation play a critical role in developing a workforce that is engaged, diverse and inclusive.

Industry interview: Adrian Furness, Managing Director, Motor Repair, Activate Group

Adrian Furness has a unique perspective on the challenges facing automotive claims, having worked on both sides of the sector.

Here, he shares his views on the key issues impacting the industry and explains how Activate Group helps to overcome them through its expanding portfolio of services.

GSF Car Parts attracting industry acolytes

GSF Car Parts, one of the UKs leading suppliers of car parts to the independent aftermarket, is establishing a notable leadership team with some of the industry’s most prominent names coming on board.

Founder and Non-Executive Chairman Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia is joined by CEO Steve Horne, Alistair Preston, Paul Wright, Lee Forty, David Bevan, Chris Barella, Martin Gray, Bill Stimson and Adam White.

Best face forward

BASF subsidiary TrinamiX, a pioneer in biometric face authentication, has launched its next generation of Face Authentication. Developed alongside Continental, the solution enhances vehicle security by offering both external and internal face recognition.

IMI calls for urgent skills focus

The Institute of the Motor Industry has urged the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to focus on electric vehicle skills training in his Spring Budget.

It says that consumer incentives are not enough to secure a successful EV transition.

PartsXCHANGE reaches 600 milestone

NBRA supplier member PartsXCHANGE has achieved the significant milestone of serving 600 bodyshop users.  

The company supplies preowned genuine unused and used parts to repairers across the UK.

Plunkys All Stars 2024

The final Plunky’s All Stars charity football match will take place at Norfolk FA’s Football and Development Centre, Bowthorpe Park in Norwich, on 28 June.

The match is fundraising for three charities: Norfolk and Waveney Mind, the East Anglian Air Ambulance and The Fire Fighters Charity.

To donate or find out more, please email stephen.plunkett@eu.lotuscars.com

HEVRA adds Dacia to portfolio

HEVRA has added Dacia to its portfolio of more than 40 supported electric and hybrid vehicle brands.

The company’s database now offers technicians the latest repair and maintenance information across a range of 361 models.

Lloyds sets £450m aside for FCA investigation

Banking giant Lloyds has set aside £450m to cover the potential cost of an FCA investigation into car finance deals.

The FCA launched an investigation last month into whether car buyers overpaid as a result of high interest rates, which could have been set to raise commissions for brokers.

Employers obligated to manage the menopause

New regulations from the Equality and Human Rights Commission means employers are now legally obligated to support colleagues going through the menopause.

The help organisations meet their obligations, automotive charity Ben offers four different training courses aimed at supporting both employers and employees.

NVIDIA develops the ‘simulated’ world

NVIDIA has unveiled Omniverse, which used AI and digital technology to enable its automotive partners to ‘build’ factories and ‘manufacture’ new vehicles in simulation before any physical development begins.

This enables them to test efficiencies and validate new solutions such as ADAS.

Stellantis to begin EV production in Luton

Stellantis will manufacture all-electric vans at its Luton site from the middle of next year. It will produce the Vauxhall Vivaro Electric, Peugeot E-Expert, Citroën ë-Dispatch and Fiat E-Scudo, becoming the second Stellantis UK site producing EVs after Ellesmere Port.

Volkswagen and Mahindra enhance EV agreement

Volkswagen Group has signed a supply agreement on components of its MEB for Mahindra’s purpose-built electric platform INGLO.

The deal, which also includes the supply of electric parts, underpins the two companies e-mobility collaboration.

Ford unveils new propulsion centre

Ford has unveiled its new £24m Propulsion Development Laboratory at its Essex-based UK headquarters. 

Situated at the Dunton Campus’ research and development centre, the site comprises eight vehicle-size rooms capable of testing electric power units and propulsion systems

Porsche adds E-Hybrid variants

Porsche is expanding its Panamera model range with the 4 E-Hybrid and 4S E-Hybrid variants, offering 59 miles electric range.

Volvo standardises EV names

Volvo Cars is renaming and standardising its fully electric cars. The XC40 Recharge and C40 Recharge models are renamed to EX40 and EC40 respectively to align with its other models, the EX30, EX90 and EM90.