Category: Technology

Specialist EV event to set new standards

Understanding the impact of electric vehicles will be taken to the next level at a groundbreaking event hosted by ARC360 next month.

The EV-olution; Gaining Ground Together, taking place at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, on 4 July, will feature experts from across the sector to consider the rapid growth of EVs and how the technology is reforming the repair and motor claims landscape.

The specialist event will bring together insurers, VMs, and the UK’s leading repairers to consider everything from FNOL, repair capabilities, cost inflation, skillset requirements, health & safety, repairability, replacement vehicles and end-of-life vehicle management.

Fix Auto UK expands network with Kidderminster site

Fix Auto UK has announced that new state-of-the-art repair centre Fix Auto Kidderminster will join the network.

Fix Auto Kidderminster will be fully operational by the end of June, supported by a 12-strong team and featuring a spraybooth and 11 work bays with ramps.

Glusurit and Summers ARC mark 40-year partnership

BASF’s premium paint brand Glasurit has celebrated the 40^th anniversary of its partnership with Ashford-based Summers Accident Repair Centre.

To mark the occasion, BASF colleagues visited Summers to explore the site and discuss the production of other BASF products, including nematodes.

Further, Glasurit UK, supported by STEM Ambassador lead Natalie Wong, will volunteer 40 hours to one of Summer’s chosen local primary schools.

Halo unveils new training facility

Halo has launched a new Centre of Excellence Training Facility to support the continued skills development of colleagues.

The centre combines diverse training programmes and expert mentoring.

Devonshire Motors secures VM approval

Devonshire Motors ARC has become an approved repairer for Toyota and Lexus for the all-new body and paint programme. Certification means all colleagues are trained to VM standards and equipment and tooling meets VM approval.

Intelligent Motoring taps into Synetiq parts pipeline

Intelligent Motoring has joined forces with salvage expert and green parts provider Synetiq to offer customers quicker repair times and discounted prices through the use of reclaimed parts.

EV accreditation for White

Assistant Bodyshop Manager at EV Bodyshops Luke White has gained IMI Level 3 Electric Hybrid accreditation.

Gold star for Silva Brothers

Silva Brothers Autos has achieved BSI approval for its products and services.

Thiago Mendes de SouzaThiago Mendes de Souza, Garage Manager, said, “This achievement reflects the hard work, expertise, and dedication of our team. We have diligently worked to ensure that our processes, systems, and practices align with the highest industry standards.”

Turners set for site expansion

Sheffield-based Turners Accident Repair is expanding after acquiring a new17,684 sqft site. The business will move from its 9,500 sqft unit on the same industrial estate.  

Morelli culture commended by in prestigious list

Morelli Group has been recognised in the inaugural ‘The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023’ list.

Andrew Moring, Marketing Director, said, “As a family business entering our 66th year, with 4th generation family members in the business, it is important for us that our staff feel valued and happy at work. We continue to have staff passing 25 years’ service with our oldest serving member of staff well past the 40-year mark.”

Perfect 10 for Activate Group

Activate Group has been listed at number 10 in the UK Women-Powered Businesses Report from J.P. Morgan Private Bank.

The recognition underpins the company’s commitment to promoting equality throughout the workforce.

Lexis Nexis launches one-stop data solution

Lexis Nexis Risk Solution has released a new product to help insurers gain a more granular view of the vehicles they are insuring.

Lexis Nexis Vehicle Insights provides a single source of accurate, real-time information on the vehicle’s ADAS systems, current status, valuation and maintenance history. These deep insights will vastly improve risk assessment and enhance the customer experience from quote to claim.

‘Ghost driver’ paves way for autonomous cars

The University of Nottingham has carried out a real-life study to gauge pedestrian reaction to self-driving vehicles.

The aim was to identify which designs and signals from an autonomous car were trusted most by pedestrians.

Ford opens European EV production site

Ford has opened the Cologne Electric Vehicle Center in Germany to manufacture its next generation of EVs for the European market.

The site is expected to produce upwards of 250,000 vehicles every year.

In-car distractions reach record high

A new survey has found that more than 10 million UK drivers could be driving erratically due to in-car distractions, with 15% admitting to being distracted by sat-navs and 10% saying they check their smart watches while driving.

Meanwhile, 35% said they regularly eat and drink while driving, and 10% admit they still use their phones behind the wheel.

Car parks wilting under weight of modern cars

New guidance from The Institution of Structural Engineers has said that car parks in the UK need to evolve to cope with bigger and heavier cars.

Nyobolt reveals six-minute charge concept car

Nyobolt has unveiled a new concept electric vehicle that can fully charge in six minutes.

The Nyobolt EV weighs just over one tonne, offers a 250km range, and uses a 35kWh battery that can fully charge with existing infrastructure in six minutes.

MS Amlin unveils AI-powered claims triage process

MS Amlin has launched a new claims triage solution that uses AI to assess damage and direct vehicles to an appropriate repairer, while at the same time providing claims adjusters with a full view of both the claimant and the claim. 

The solution is a result of MS Amlin’s newly-formed partnership with Genpact.

E-roads lead to the future

S&G Response believes roads that charge EVs while they drive could be part of the UK highways infrastructure in the future, but not for a while.

The technology is already being employed in South Korea and Sweden, but introducing it to the UK could be delayed due to cost implications.

ABI to appeal mixed injury verdict

The outcome of mixed injury motor claims processed by the Official Injury Claim (OIC) portal is still uncertain after the Supreme Court granted the Association of British Insurers permission to appeal a landmark ruling.

The initial verdict was that victims should be compensated separately for whiplash and other injuries, but the ABI will now appeal the result in the Supreme Court.

Claims costs soar by 14%

Motor insurers paid out £2.4bn in motor claims in the first quarter of this year, up 14% on the same quarter last year.

According to latest ABI data, this was the highest quarterly payout since it started collecting data back in 2013 and 11% up on the last quarter of 2022.

Meet the team

e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management has introduced Autospares & Salvage, a key member of its network of independent, innovative vehicle recycling and salvage firms.

The Northants-based company recovers vehicles from across the region and offers three key services: the re-marketing of repairable vehicle salvage; the provision of quality reclaimed parts; and end-of-life vehicle disposal and recycling.

People

Randy Kobat has been named president of Repair OnDemand.