Prasco unveils seamless service

Leading supplier of independently certified non-OEM replacement parts Prasco UK is redeveloping its website to make it more intuitive and user-friendly. 

The Doncaster-based operation has developed a series of new functions to ensure the process of searching for parts, ordering and then monitoring through a real-time tracked delivery service is as seamless as possible.

Kelvyn Waugh, Prasco UK’s Managing Director, said, “We are continually driven to ensure we provide an industry-leading service, one that ensures our customers receive the best personal and personable service possible and that means we can’t afford to rest on our laurels and we have to continually invest in our services.

“We are all consumers and experience the high-level of service the various leading online companies like Amazon deliver. We cannot afford to not provide our customers with a similar level of service.

“A new web-based system takes at least 18 months in development so, in the fast-paced world of digital distribution where we experience a constant stream of new innovations, whenever we reveal a new system, in all reality it is on the verge of being out of date which is why we are continually working on something new that is able to speed up our services and deliver as efficiently as possible.”

Prasco has also invested in its warehouse that significantly increases its level of available parts which have been steadily arriving on site over recent weeks. Its delivery fleet has also been increased to further speed up its next day delivery service.

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Solera data unpicks EV versus ICE repair costs

Solera has announced findings of global research comparing the repair cost trends of electric vehicles and internal combustion engines.

The study, which focused on the Hyundai Kona EV and its ICE model counterpart, considered data from 20 countries, examining more than 92,000 repair estimates between January 2021 and August 2023.

It found that, overall, EV repair costs are 29% higher while EV parts costs are 48% higher on average. Meanwhile, driver airbag systems were replaced eight per cent more frequently on EVs, rear bumper absorbers were replaced 1,390% more frequently on EVs and rear bumper reinforcements were replaced 14% more frequently.

John Felahi, Solera’s Head of Global Data Science, Analytics and Data Business, said, “There’s been a lot of industry speculation as to why EV repair costs are more expensive than ICE repairs. The findings from Solera’s landmark research offers a first-ever look at key elements shaping EV versus ICE repair costs with a goal of helping the collision repair industry to better understand some of the trends and anomalies that can be optimised to enhance their business.”

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Gemini ARC secures GQA approved training centre status

Gemini Accident Repairs has attained Approved Training Centre status, enabling it to deliver GQA National Qualifications.

The initial four qualifications offered by Gemini include GQA Level 3 Award in Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Awareness; GQA Level 3 Award in ADAS Awareness and Competence; GQA Level 3 Award in Competence and understanding in 4-wheel alignment; and GQA Level 3 Award in Understanding the principles of 4-wheel alignment.

Gemini’s Technical Training and Development Coordinator Phil Burrows said, “The GQA approval is a fantastic achievement by the Gemini Training team. There has been a lot of effort to succeed with this recognition, with some fantastic support from Sean Hayes at GQA to achieve this. The GQA approval further strengthens Gemini’s training credentials in the creation and delivery of its own training excellence and shows how committed the business is to be the industry leader for the training of its staff.”

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ARC360 News – Friday 10 November 2023

October Market Intelligence report

ARC360 has published its latest market report in partnership with Trend Tracker, which reveals that repair volumes in October were 95% of 2019 levels but 105% compared to the same month last year.

Meanwhile, repair costs are up eight per cent year on year, but this is down from the 16% recorded in June.

JLR apologises for parts delays

Jaguar Land Rover has apologised to customers after a shortage of parts has delayed repairs to nearly 5,000 cars.

The company has downsized its UK parts supply network from 18 UK warehouses to one super centre but has experienced a crisis in parts supply since then.

Gemini celebrates Platinum status of The 5% Club

Gemini Accident Repair Group has secured Platinum Membership status in The 5% Club Employer Audit for 2023-2024.

The 5% Club recognises those employers who have committed to developing new talent through earn and learn skills training plans. Only three per cent of all members achieved Platinum status this year.

Steer recognises apprentices with dedicated awards ceremony

Steer Automotive celebrated the emerging talent within the group during a special awards ceremony dedicated to its apprentices.

The Steer Apprentice Academy Awards was attended by industry professionals and partners and included a session on the future of the automotive industry led by Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services from Thatcham Research.

LV= unveils new charity initiative

LV= has raised more than £600 for its charity partner Family Action through a new initiative that also tackles the challenges around finding courtesy cars.

The LV= initiative involves its network repairers inviting customers to opt out of taking a courtesy car while their vehicle is being repaired, with the bodyshop donating at least £25 to the charity instead.

SMMT urges government to unlock CAM windfall

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has urged the government to clear the path for the UK to capitalise on a potential £66bn connected and automated mobility windfall by 2040.

In a new report, Connected and automated mobility: The UK economic and market opportunities, the SMMT also says CAM technology has the potential to create an additional 342,000 skilled jobs and prevent upwards of 60,000 serious accidents.

Premium prices spike 29% in third quarter

Motor insurance premiums have risen to £561 in the third quarter of the year, according to data from the Association of British Insurers.

This represents a 29% increase on the same period last year and is nine per cent higher than the second quarter of 2023.

New car sales hit pre-pandemic high

New car sales have hit their highest point since before the pandemic, according to data released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

It found that October’s new car market grew by 14.3% in the month to 153,529, which is 7.2% above pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, light commercial vehicle registrations increased by 17.7% in October to 26,342 unites.

Steer expands Scotland footprint

Steer Automotive Group is expanding its presence in Scotland with the launch of a new state-of-the-art site in Glasgow.

Solera zeroes in on scope 3 emissions

Solera has unveiled a new suite of solutions, Sustainable Estimatics, to help the industry move towards a greener future.

Using its own extensive data in conjunction with a range of industry partnerships, it is able to analyse and measure the CO2 emissions during each stage of a motor claim.

SYNETIQ secures environmental silver

IAA company SYNETIQ has been awarded a silver medal by EcoVadis, an internationally-recognised sustainability platform that evaluates companies across a range of criteria, including environment, social and ethical practices.

SYNETIQ earned a silver medal after being ranked in the top 25% of more than 100,000 international businesses assessed.

IMI highlights dangerous ADAS skills gap

The Institute of the Motor Industry believes there is a now a shortfall of 18,000 technicians in the UK qualified to work on ADAS-equipped vehicles.

It warns the gap will increase as at least one in ten cars on UK roads will feature Level 2 autonomy by the end of the year, and this will grow to almost half of the car parc by 2030.

Belron named IMI TechSafe Centre of Excellence

Belron International has become the latest organisation to be named an IMI TechSafe Centre of Excellence, following significant investment in training facilities for its more than 1,100 UK technicians.

The other IMI TechSafe Centres of Excellence are the BMW Group Academy and Lincoln College.

AkzoNobel announces new Sustainability Challenge

AkzoNobel will launch a 24-hour challenge to accelerate carbon reduction in the vehicle repair industry.

Taking place from 21-22 November and involving insurance companies, fleet and lease companies, bodyshops and OEMs, the Vehicle Repair (VR) Sustainability Challenge will spark dialogue around new innovations in energy transition, process efficiency and circular solutions.

Standard successes

A number of bodyshops have achieved BS10125:2022 certification recently. They include Diss-based Bressingham Car Bodyshop, Patersons ARC, Alton Cars Sheffield, and Cosmetic Repair Solutions in Chesterfield.

Thatcham Research backs autonomous focus

Thatcham Research has backed the government’s plans to accelerate legislation around autonomous vehicles, as highlighted in His Majesty the King’s Speech.

Jonathan Hewett, Thatcham Research’s Chief Executive, said, “Thatcham Research champions stringent standards and comprehensive legislation vital for the secure and effective deployment of self-driving vehicle technology. It is through rigorous safety frameworks, clarity in legal liability, and collaborative efforts between government, industry, and insurers that the full potential of this transformative technology will be realised.”

First Hydrogen and the Potential of FCEVs

Clare Bestall and Craig Gibson from National Windscreens attended MIRA Technology Park in Coventry recently to find out more about the potential of hydrogen as a viable fuel alternative.

MIRA is Europe’s leading mobility R&D location for developing the latest automotive technology.

MONITRR reaches assessment landmark

Outsorc’s software solution MONITRR has now completed over 112,000 assessments and audits in 96 countries using five internet browsers on desktop, laptop, tablet and mobile.

Worrying research identifies EV charging cables risks

New research carried out by What Car? has revealed that some aftermarket electric vehicle charging cables could overheat and shock users.

It bought three ‘Mode 2’ chargers, which allow EV owners to charge their vehicle using a three-pin domestic socket, and found that all three failed all or some of its Residual Current Device (RCD) tests.

Meet the e2e Network

e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management has published the latest instalment of its ‘Meet the Network’ series.

The latest blog focuses on ASM Auto Recycling, which operates from five sites across Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, and Buckinghamshire. It processes over 35,000 vehicles a year and offers for sale over 1,500 cars, vans, and motorbikes every week via the e2e network online auction Salvage Market platform.

People

Martyn Rowley has officially taken up his new position as Executive Director at NBRA – VBRA.

Komoo has announced that Paul Halligan has joined the business as Group Compliance Manager.

Page Automotive Group has announced two internal promotions, with Neil Pettit and Scott Balson both further their careers within the group.

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Premium prices spike 29% in third quarter

Motor insurance premiums have risen to £561 in the third quarter of the year, according to data from the Association of British Insurers.

This represents a 29% increase on the same period last year and is nine per cent higher than the second quarter of 2023.

Premium increases have been attributed to a 16% rise in the cost of paint over the last 12 months, an 11% rise in spare part prices and inflation of 46% for other costs.

The ABI is now appealing to the government to reduce IPT in the Autumn Statement, which accounts for up to 12% of all premiums.

Mervyn Skeet, ABI Director of General Insurance Policy, said, “We appreciate that another quarter of increased motor insurance premiums will be concerning for households who are already grappling with rising costs in other areas.

“Insurers continue to do all they can to keep motor insurance as competitively priced as possible, despite facing substantial increases in costs outside of their control. We’re bringing together representatives from across the sector to discuss issues such as vehicle safety and security. However, the government could help drivers with an immediate reduction in costs by reducing Insurance Premium Tax.”

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Gemini celebrates Platinum status of The 5% Club

Gemini Accident Repair Group has secured Platinum Membership status in The 5% Club Employer Audit for 2023-2024.

The 5% Club recognises those employers who have committed to developing new talent through earn and learn skills training plans. Only three per cent of all members achieved Platinum status this year.

Gemini said, “We take immense pride in being amongst the top three per cent of The 5% Club members, earning the prestigious Platinum-level recognition.  Our achievement is a result of our consistent Gold Membership status with over 10% of our dedicated employees having actively engaged in an apprenticeship programme at Gemini.”

Mark Cameron OBE, Chief Executive, The 5% Club, added, “Our Employer Audit scheme recognises the efforts of all those employers who invest in their workforce through a broad range of workplace learning schemes.

“It is fantastic that in these challenging times, so many are able to commit to the Employer Audit and to gain the credit for their efforts, and that the majority are striving to expand their schemes over the coming years. Even more impressive is the three per cent who have achieved Platinum level membership – they represent the very best of our movement and of employers offering ‘earn and learn’ opportunities.”

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Steer celebrates apprentices with dedicated awards ceremony

Steer Automotive celebrated the emerging talent within the group during a special awards ceremony dedicated to its apprentices.

The Steer Apprentice Academy Awards builds on the company’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of automotive leaders while at the same time addressing the skills shortage within the industry.  

Attended by industry professionals and partners and including a session on the future of the automotive industry led by Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services from Thatcham Research, the event served to shine a spotlight on Steer’s rising stars, highlighting their achievements and the positive impact they have made.

Richard Steer, Chief Executive, said, “We believe in investing in the potential of our apprentices and providing them with the tools to become leaders in the automotive industry. The Steer Apprentice Academy Awards is our way of acknowledging their remarkable contributions and celebrating their journey towards excellence.”

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ARC360 Market Intelligence: October 2023

Market-Intel-October-2023

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SMMT urges government to unlock CAM windfall

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has urged the government to clear the path for the UK to capitalise on a potential £66bn connected and automated mobility windfall by 2040.

In a new report, Connected and automated mobility: The UK economic and market opportunities, the SMMT is calling on government to remove all barriers to regulatory reform while at the same time developing a strategy to support private sector investment and innovation.

In terms of markets, it believes CAM technology can generate a £15.2bn economic uplift in on-road logistics, with on-road passenger services and off-road logistics also identified as key sectors where CAM technology can be applied to commercial applications. 

Meanwhile, the SMMT says CAM technology also has the potential to create an additional 342,000 skilled jobs and prevent upwards of 60,000 serious accidents.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “While fully automated road journeys are still some way off, advances in connected and automated mobility technology means they’re within our future – presenting a significant opportunity to revolutionise transport in the UK.

“Government must work with all stakeholders to implement the necessary framework needed to deliver this exciting revolution swiftly and effectively, ensuring that consumers can reap the lifesaving and cost saving benefits. Failing to do so risks leaving the UK in the slow lane, jeopardising our competitiveness and impeding growth and job creation.”

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JLR apologises for parts delays

Jaguar Land Rover has apologised to customers after a shortage of parts has delayed repairs to nearly 5,000 cars.

The company has downsized its UK parts supply network from 18 UK warehouses to one super centre but has experienced a crisis in parts supply since then.

Now Chief Executive Adrian Mardell has been forced to apologise to drivers after their cars were stuck in dealerships awaiting parts. Meanwhile, the JLR network also ran out of courtesy cars for affected customers.

Discussing the change to its parts supply network, Adrian said, “It was a planned transition but the transition is taking longer than we would originally have planned and that’s something that nobody wished for. To be very, very clear, this is something we are really unhappy about.”

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