Category: Training

ARC360 conference proves major success

ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference has been declared a major success. Bringing together over 250 of the motor claims sector’s leading professionals, the event provided an open forum for discussions around the evolution of the vehicle parc; technology advances and implications; business acquisition and growth; and ideas around future business models. Summaries of the discussions will be made available in the coming weeks.

Charge Up: EV Quartly Insights

To provide valuable insights into this evolving market, Activate Group, the accident management specialist, is launching a quarterly EV report, utilising data from Gecko Risk. This report aims to offer comprehensive and up-to-date information on the latest trends and developments in EV repair, from average repair costs to cycle times.

Driven miles up in 2023

Trend Tracker has revealed that 330.8 billion miles were driven in the UK last year. Data from the Department of Transport has revealed that this is a rise of 2.2% on 2022 but remains 2.3% below the pre-pandemic levels seen in 2019.

New and used car markets hold steady

The latest Car Market Overview from cap hpi has revealed that both the new and used car segments are performing strongly.

Solera and Simplicity Car Care host Sustainability Summit

Simplicity Car Care and Solera Audatex joined forces on Tuesday in Toronto to host an inaugural Automotive Industry Sustainability Summit dedicated to paving a road to net-zero in the collision repair and auto claims economies.

BASF colour wins prestigious award

BASF Coating Division’s colour ZENOMENON was the only automotive paint to be honoured at the Red Dot Award: Product Design, one of the most prestigious design competitions in the world.

VRA membership growing

Nine new members, Altelium, Autograb, Aviloo, Equiniti, Golden Motor Group, National Vehicle Distribution, Rennicks, Wilsons Auctions and Zenith, have joined the Vehicle Remarketing Association so far this year.

London roads busiest in the world

London’s roads have been ranked the most congested in Europe for the third year in a row, with drivers in the capital spending an average of 99 hours sitting in traffic in 2023.

Hydrogen on the horizon

Venson Automotive Solutions has published a new report, The Big Hydrogen Question, exploring the role hydrogen can play in cleaner road transport.

Charles Trent celebrates gold

Charles Trent has won Gold in the Family Business category at the Poole Business Awards 2024.

Distrigo expands distribution network

The Distrigo Parts Distribution UK network has expanded with two new branches, Distrigo HTC Guildford and HTC Shoreham.

AX boosts EV transition with EValuate

AX has launched EValuate,a replacement vehicle service that offers ICE vehicle drivers the opportunity to try an EV for an extended period while their car is being repaired following an accident.

Motors completes Cazoo acquisition

Used car search platform Motors, which is backed by private equity, has acquired online car retailer Cazoo after it fell into administration.

Tchek.ai partners with Instavalo

Tchek.ai has enhanced its focus on AI with a new licensing agreement with German-based vehicle appraisal company Instavalo, which will manage its existing vehicle scanner customers. 

Strategy and implementation equally critical

A new report by outsorc has examined the value of business strategy and implementation, concluding that one is not more important than the other and ‘a successful business requires a well-developed strategy and the capability to implement it effectively.’

UK motorists unsure about rules of driving abroad

New figures show that 46% of UK drivers have or would drive abroad yet 71% don’t know how the essential Green Card system works, according to a new YouGov survey by MIB.

JLR hires more than 1,500 veterans

JLR has hired more than 1,500 former armed forces personnel globally over the last decade, as the nation honours Armed Forces Week in the UK.

Rivian and VWG announce EV joint venture

Rivian Automotive has announced that Volkswagen Group will invest nearly £4bn to form an equally controlled and owned joint venture to create next-generation electrical architecture and best-in-class software technology.

Hyundai launches high-tech EV model

Hyundai Motor Company has unveiled its all-electric INSTER, with a top range of 220 miles and charging times to 80% of 30 minutes. The model also includes a range of ADAS features, such as Surround View Monitor, Parking Collision-Avoidance Assist Rear, Blind-spot View Monitor and Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist.

Polestar accelerates EV understanding

Polestar has considered the difference of accelerating in an EV compared to an ICE model in the latest in its series of technical features, ‘Explain it like I’m 5.’

Key repairers subscribe to ARC360 conference

Some of the leading lights within the repair community have already confirmed their attendance at this years ‘future vehicle technology’ themed ARC360 conference taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry.

Consumer Intelligence to kick start New Generation discussions

Catherine Carey, Head of Marketing at Consumer Intelligence is set to kick-start ILC’s New Generation in Claims Conference 2024 by revealing research findings centred on careers in insurance. 

Titled ‘Perception Vs reality: redefining careers in insurance’ the session will explore the contrast between how current insurance professionals view their careers and the common misconceptions held by outsiders.  

Bodyshop Briefs

• Accident Express Direct is transitioning to BS 10125:2022 after receiving a positive recommendation.
• Steer Automotive Group won the People Team of the Year Award at the British HR Awards. The group was shortlisted in three categories.
• Llandudno-based Hefin Jones Vehicle Body Repairs has passed its first BS10125 audit.
• Komoo Wigan has secured BS 10125:2022 certification after achieving 100% compliance.

Repair market facing over-supply issue

New insight from Trend Tracker suggests that after a period of capacity challenges in vehicle repair, the market could be about to enter a new phase.

It says a combination of greater investment in the sector coupled with falling demand could create a dynamic where supply outstrips demand, although it warns that the continued skills crisis could go some way to balancing that in the coming years as the industry struggles to attract the 107,000 EV technicians and 25,000 ADAS technicians that will be needed by 2030.

EV values continuing to fall

A new white paper into the UK used car market has revealed a dramatic fall in EV prices compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts.

The INDICATA Market Watch found a 20% fall in used EV prices in just six months during 2023, meaning they began 2024 more than 42% cheaper than both used petrol and used diesel cars.

New voices wanted for Diversity Group

The IMI is looking for more people to join its Diversity Task Force Working Group. Members will have the opportunity help shape the future of the industry by taking part in group meetings and sharing examples of best practice.

Plastrepair celebrates IMI approval

Plastrepair, which develops speciality tools and materials for plastic repairs in the vehicle repair sector, has announced that its training programme has now secured IMI approval.

MIB tackles uninsured driving

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau has launched a new initiative in collaboration with police forces to remove uninsured drivers from the road.

In the first of a series of one-day operations, it worked with officers from South Wales, Gwent, Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire, and Thames Valley Police to seize a number of uninsured vehicles from motorways across the region.

FCA warns of unexpected DCA costs

The FCA has written to motor finance firms urging them to maintain the financial resources needed to absorb the costs of discretionary commission arrangements (DCA), following its own review into the issue.

This includes planning for any additional operational costs from increased complaints and meeting the costs of resolving those complaints.

HELLA launches IMI-approved academy

HELLA has unveiled its new IMI-approved academy at its Chipping Warden head office.

The state-of-the-are facility provides classroom-based learning with hands-on workshop training.

Last day of AWE24

The inaugural Automotive Work Experience Week concludes today.

Introduced jointly by the Institute of the Motor Industry, School of Thought Automotive and Autotech Academy, the initiative is urging all employers to play their part in fighting the skills crisis by committing to a week’s work placement for at least one young person this year.

Inchcape sells retail operations

Inchcape is selling its UK retail operations to Group 1 Automotive for £346m as part of its strategy to become a distribution-focused business.

The deal includes more than 80 forecourts and is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter.

EVs and petrol to dominate car sales by 2027

A new report predicts that EVs will make up 34% of all new car sales by 2027, with 701,893 registrations compared to 722,537 (35%) petrol sales. Diesel meanwhile will plummet to just three per cent.

According to Cox Automotive’s Fuel Type Forecast, petrol cars will however still dominate used car sales (62%), ahead of diesel (30%), with EVs languishing on a 5.9% market share.

SMMT wins workplace gold

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has gained gold accreditation from Investors in People (IIP), recognising it as one of the best places in the UK to work.

Just 17% of organisations seeking IIP accreditation secure gold.

BASF collaborates on hybrid hypercar battery

BASF has collaborated with RML Group to develop an immersion-cooled battery for a high-performance hybrid hypercar. It features a capacity of 4.2 kWh and weighs less than 75kg.

Meanwhile, the company has been named as a 2023 Supplier of the Year by General Motors (GM), making it the 17^th time in 32 years it has won the accolade.

BASF has also emphasised how its innovative engineering solutions can support manufacturers meet sustainability targets around recyclability and low product carbon footprint.

Tyre recycling service cutting costs by 30%

Purchase Direct has introduced a new waste tyre collection and disposal service through its sister company, Outsourced Waste, which is delivering savings of over 30%.

BIBA and NOVO unveil EV insurance solution

The British Insurance Brokers’ Association and NOVO have launched a new motor insurance scheme that offers BIBA members like-for-like replacement mobility, access to EV-qualified repairers, and specialist EV claims management.

NFDA survey shows VM relationships trending upwards

The relationship between dealers and manufacturers is on an upward curve, according to the winter edition of the NFDA’s Dealer Attitude Survey.

Carried out between January and March, the survey attracted 2,321 responses with average scores up in 47 of the 56 questions.

JLR unveils BESS in class

JLR has partnered with energy storage start-up Allye Energy to develop a new portable Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) that can store 270kWh of energy, the equivalent of nearly a month’s worth of power for the average UK home.

Nissan on course to deliver all-solid-state batteries

Nissan aims to launch EVs with all-solid-state batteries by 2028 and has shown off the production line in Japan where they will be developed.

All-solid-state batteries will have twice the energy density as lithium-ion batteries, will offer shorter charging times and lower costs.

Polestar cuts emissions by nine per cent per car

Polestar’s first sustainability report has revealed that emissions per car sold last year were down by nine per cent, while the company cut absolute emissions by five per cent. 

People

• Avant Group has appointed Mark Adkins as new Technical Project Manager.
• Danielle Fenwick has joined the customer care team at 1^st Choice ARC.
• FMG (Fleet) has named Helen Keenan as Account Director.
• WhoCanFixMyCar has appointed Amada Webb as Chief Finance Officer and Craig Livings as Chief Technology Officer.

Leading names back ARC360 event

Activate Group and Thatcham Research are the two latest names to show their support for ARC360’s ‘future technology’ themed conference taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry.

The event is also now sponsored by Activate Group and Thatcham Research – both of whom will be present on the day – along with recently announced event partner Stellantis which will be hosting the ‘Stellantis Zone’.

Carpenters and Enterprise lead New Generation support

Carpenters Group and Enterprise are the two leading names to show their ongoing support of ILC’s New Generation in Claims Conference 2024 takes place on 25 April at etc.venues Manchester.

The New Generation in Claims programme for 2024 has been backed by Ambassadors: Activate Group, Edam Group, Gemini ARC, Kennedys, S&G Response and Solera Audatex.

Bodyshop Briefs

• esure Group has unveiled its latest state-of-the-art bodyshop in partnership with Halo ARC, based in Saffron Waldon. 
• The Vella Group has retained its PAS 2060 certification for a third year in a row after reducing emissions by six per cent in 2023 and becoming the first UK repairer to join the AkzoNobel Sustainable Repair Network last month.
• Fix Auto UK has welcomed three more East Anglia-based repairers to its network. Bressingham Car Bodyshop will now operate as Fix Auto Diss, Autodoc has transitioned into Fix Auto West Norwich, and Red Rocket Accident Repair Centre will now operate as Fix Auto Great Yarmouth.
• Redhill-based Finesse ARC has successfully passed its first Volkswagen Group paint and body audit.
• Crewe-based dealer group Swansway Motor Group will open a new all-electric car dealership in Crewe following a partnership with Chinese manufacturer BYD.
• Knaresborough-based Great North Auto Services is opening a second site in Harrogate.
• Allied Vehicles Group-backed Fix Auto Glasgow North has acquired Fix Auto Wigan as part of a wider growth strategy that will see more acquisitions in the coming three years.
• Perfect Paint MK has announced it has achieved ISO 9001:2015 accreditation.

Repair costs contribute to record payouts

Motor insurers paid out a record £9.9bn in compensation in 2023, up 18% on 2022.

The Association of British Insurers said the increase was driven by repair costs rising from £4.7bn in 2022 to £6.1bn. Meanwhile, claims volumes rose 10% to 2.3 million.

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent bolsters numbers

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent is recruiting more than 100 new technicians across its 28 UK depots.

It is also expanding its training programme, which now provides up to 4,000 bespoke career planning and training hours to technicians every month.

Industry leaders unveil inaugural Automotive Experience Week

The School of Thought Automotive, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and Autotech Academy are collaborating to launch the industry’s first ever Automotive Experience Week.

Taking place from 15-19 April, AWE24 is a call to action with employers encouraged to offer a week’s placement to at least one young person during the year.

Silverlake announces significant fleet investment

Silverlake Automotive Recycling has invested in its fleet to meet growing demand.

It has added six new transporters to offer greater capacity for salvage collections, and four new vans to deliver reclaimed parts to bodyshops.

SYNETIQ secures safety certifications

IAA company SYNETIQ has achieved a key safety milestone by securing a globally recognised certification.

It has announced that its management team has attained the IOSH Managing Safely qualification while its board and directors have achieved IOSH Directing Safely. 

SMMT secures top employer award

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has been named one of Britain’s top places to work after achieving Gold accreditation from Investors in People (IIP), the international benchmark for workplace standards and people management.  

Hybrids pull away from EVs

New figures have revealed that used EV sales have fallen across Europe, but hybrids are more popular than ever.

According to INDICATA, a cooling of demand for EVs means they now make up just 4.1% of the online used B2C used vehicle market, while hybrids have grown to a record high of 15.3%.

Autocraft set for European expansion

Autocraft Solutions Group has announced plans to expand its EV battery repair footprint across Europe after securing a £24m finance deal from HSBC.

It plans to launch its REVIVE range of EV battery testing and repair services in southern Europe and Scandinavia.

Drivers in a tight spot

Drivers are paying out £424m every year to repair vehicles damaged due to tight parking bays, according to Churchill, which also revealed that parking space widths are based on 1970s guidelines while cars have increased by 12cm on average since then.

Delphi expands hydrogen parts portfolio

Global aftermarket leader Delphi has expanded its range of hydrogen vehicle parts and components available to the aftermarket.

It now offers 32 replacement component part numbers across braking, steering and suspension, vehicle electronics, and thermal management systems.

Automotive 30% Club announces Small Business Group

The Automotive 30% Club has announced it will launch a new Small Business Group to develop collective solutions to promote gender balance within the industry.

Meanwhile, Hella Aftermarket Managing Director Neil Grant has renewed his membership.

Euro NCAP announces new safety ratings

Euro NCAP has awarded safety ratings to three crossovers, with the NIO EL6 and Toyota EL6 both receiving five-star ratings.

Meanwhile, the Honda CR-V hybrid achieved a four-star rating.

BMW Group signs tech collaboration

The BMW Group has announced a new collaboration with Croatian tech company Rimac Technology to develop new solutions in EV batteries.

JLR announces strong sales results

JLR has reported wholesale and retail sales increases of more than 20% in the last financial year.

Wholesale volumes rose 25% to 401,303 units while retail was up 22% to 431,733.

Kia sets steep sales curve

Kia has announced sales targets of 4.3 million by 2030, with electric models accounting for 58% (2.48 million) of that.

This represents a 34% increase on the brand’s sales targets for 2024.

Tesla ditches low-cost model

Reuters has reported that Tesla has abandoned plans to develop an affordable EV for the mass-market, due to increasing pressure from Chinese manufacturers.

People

• Accident Credit Group (ACG) has appointed Roxanne Cosby as Business Development Manager.
• Satty Nanuwa has started a new role as Insurance Business Manager at Autoglass.
• AutoGrab has appointed Rupert Pontin as UK Head.
• Richard Farrar has been named Head of Operations – Refurbishment at Cox Automotive Europe.
• Sydney Jeyes has been appointed Customer Experience Agent at Evolution Repair Group.
• The Independent Paint Supplies team has appointed Marc Powell as Technical Sales & Support expert.
• Gail Carr has been promoted from van driver at Carlac to Merchandiser for the Manchester area.
• Equipmake has appointed Glenn Saint as Business Development Director.