Training Archives - Page 17 of 49

ARC360 News – Friday 18 August 2023

18 August 2023

Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

EVs and the insurer perspective

More than nine out of 10 attendees at ARC360’s specialist EV event, EV-olution, predicted a ‘noticeable’ or ‘significant’ increase in electric vehicle claims in the next two years.

However, most do not foresee EVs becoming the majority of their claims/work mix for some time yet.

It is exactly this variable volume and unknowable timeline that has left many businesses in a state of uncertainty – committing to EVs is costly and for many there is no guarantee of a swift return on an investment.

NBRA announces Rowley as director

The National Body Repair Association has announced that Martyn Rowley has been appointed as new Director.

He takes over from Chris Weeks, who has become Managing Director of the Evolution Repair Group.

e2e introduces daily reports

e2e has partnered with Incited to transform the way insurers can interrogate and apply total loss data to inform business decision making.

It has innovated its management information and reporting function to ensure vehicle loss data is updated every 24 hours.

Copart opens new Staffordshire site

Copart UK is now operating from a new 10-acre site in Staffordshire.

The new facility will provide the company with storage for an additional 7,000 vehicles per annum in Hixon, boosting vehicle storage capacity in the West Midlands by 15%.

EVs drive used car revival

Surging sales of electric vehicles powered a 4.1% rise in the UK’s used car market in the second quarter of the year.

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 1,832,267 units changed hands between April and June, with used electric vehicle sales soaring by 81.8% to 30,645 units.

Copart secures IMI accreditation

Copart UK has become an IMI-approved EV training provider. It is now able to deliver IMI TechSafe electric and hybrid vehicle training across its nationwide Operation Centres.

Copart will initially focus on Level 2 and Level 3 training.

Fix Auto UK expands Northern Ireland presence

Fix Auto UK has doubled the number of its repair centres in Northern Ireland with the announcement that Crash Repair Saintfield will now operate as Fix Auto Saintfield.

The 6,000 sqft repair centre includes two spraybooths and six workbays and repairs up to 20 vehicles a week.

Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance extends WHU partnership

Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance has extended its vehicle collision recovery and storage management partnership with West Ham United.

The relationship goes back eight years, with Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance becoming an official Club Partner last year.

Thatcham Research joins 3D printing task force

Thatcham Research has joined the 3D Printing Task Force for the Automotive Collision Repair Industry.

The task force brings together experts in 3D printing and automotive to support collaboration, idea-sharing, and the development of safe and regulated practices.

IMI welcomes Electric Vehicles inquiry

The IMI has welcomed the news that the government is launching an inquiry into the challenges of EV adoption.

It has urged the enquiry to focus on incentives, price and availability, charging infrastructure and end-of-life disposal.

Understanding BS10125

The BSI has produced a podcast explaining the vehicle repair standard, BS10125.

Matthew Chiles and Cindy Parokkil highlight the 10 things businesses need to know about the industry standard.

Fix Auto UK acquires Fix Auto Cheltenham

Fix Auto UK has taken over as the majority shareholder in Fix Auto Cheltenham.

The network has bought the shares from businessman Andrew Emery, while fellow director Kieran Humphries will retain his shares and position as Operations Director.

IMI CEO inducted into Hall of Fame

IMI CEO Steve Nash has been welcomed into The Motoring Hall of Fame in recognition of his work for the automotive industry.

He said, “I am committed to helping to improve standards in our industry and the service we provide to motorists and will continue to champion the importance of professionally competent technicians to support the evolution of the motor industry and the growth of the sector, whatever challenges may lie ahead.”

BMW trials hydrogen vehicles

BMW is piloting a fleet of nearly 100 hydrogen vehicles. The BMW iX5 offers a range of 313 miles, with the 700-bar tanks able to be filled up in three to four minutes.

Thatcham Research gears up for industry rallies

Thatcham Research is restoring a Mazda MX5 ahead of the AutoRaise and Bangers4Ben rallies, which start on 7 September and 7 October respectively.

The Mazda was donated by Copart UK.

Vehicle recalls added to MOTs

The Drivers and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that vehicle recalls will now appear on MOT test certificates to enhance road safety.

AI cameras catch 297 drivers in three days in Cornwall

A new artificial intelligence (AI) camera caught almost 300 drivers breaking the law in its first three days of operation.

The camera, installed on the A30 in Cornwall, caught motorists using their mobile phones or not wearing seatbelts.

New webinar to provide unique AI insight

ARC Support Services will host a webinar at 7pm on Wednesday, 21 August examining the software available that can help individuals and businesses achieve better outcomes.

Healey heading to golf final

Fix Auto Birmingham East owner Ben Healey along with Dave Underwood of Turner Aviation, Clayton Redhead of Dunlop Aircraft Tyres, and Anthony Cunnington of Swift Abrasives secured their place at the final of the Ezi Methods Golf Challenge after topping the annual Fix Auto UK golf competition at The Belfry.

People

Nikolay Boychev has been named Senior Body Repair Network Compliance Manager at Tesla.

OUTSORC has appointed Mark Shaw as Global Product Manager.

Ash Holmes has been appointed as Senior Research Engineer at Thatcham Research.

More Insights

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

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

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Copart to deliver IMI TechSafe training

18 August 2023

Bodyshop, People, Supplier, Training, vehicle sales and Words

Copart UK has become an IMI-approved EV training provider.

It is now able to deliver IMI TechSafe electric and hybrid vehicle training across its nationwide Operation Centres.

Copart will initially focus on Level 2 and Level 3 training, but plans to expand its offering in line with further sustainability developments, such as hydrogen vehicle awareness.

Sarah Oakman, Training Manager at Copart, said: “We are now fully focused on establishing Copart as a high-quality and high pass rate centre for EV courses, initially operating out of our HQ in Bedfordshire with a view to setting up further locations to cover the north and south of England in the future.”

Duncan MacRae, Head of Performance, Quality and Risk, added: “At Copart, we continually invest in training and upskilling our teammates to ensure that their knowledge is always relevant and up to date, enabling us to maximise value and deliver a world-class quality level of service to our customers, whilst delivering our Plan Net Zero sustainability commitment.

“With the electric car parc continuing to grow and evolve, it’s vital that we remain strongly focused on delivering specialist training alongside the EV handling infrastructure, equipment, and processes we’ve already established over the last decade.”

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

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Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

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ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

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ARC360 News – Friday 11 August 2023

11 August 2023

Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

SYNETIQ and LV= provide key to sustainability

SYNETIQ has launched a client initiative with LV= Insurance which sees unused keys sold to raise money for charity. The two businesses have come together to sell unused keys for reuse to support the insurer’s chosen charity, FamilyAction.

Copart to open new Corby Operation Centre

Copart UK is opening a new Operation Centre in Corby, Northamptonshire.

The site, expected to be operational by the autumn, will enable Copart to increase vehicle storage capacity in this region by 32%.

Repair volumes dip in July

Trend Tracker’s latest Market Intelligence Report has revealed that repair volume demand is still tracking at 95% of pre-pandemic levels, although it has identified significant monthly fluctuations with June at 107% and July dipping to 87%.It also found that repair inflation is slowing down with a drop in year-on-year increases, although it remains at record levels.

Battery recycling a significant sustainability challenge

SYNETIQ has examined the challenges posed to the industry by battery recycling, and revealed how it is working with the sector to find best outcomes.

LKQ Corporation completes Uni-Select acquisition

LKQ Corporation has completed the acquisition of Uni-Select, which distributes automotive refinish and industrial coatings and related products in North America and the UK.

Europcar expands EV fleet

Europcar is upgrading its fleet of electric vehicles. It has made new premium Mercedes-Benz models available to customers as well as the ORA Funky Cat.

IMI report reveals gender divide

The Institute of the Motor Industry’s Baseline Report has identified stark challenges around gender equality, with just 19% of those working in automotive female.

The report also revealed that vacancies have risen to a 21-year high, with 758,000 jobs unfilled.

Axalta publishes strong profits

Axalta has reported that net sales increased 4.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, while income from operations totalled £108m compared to £81m in the same quarter of 2022.

PartsXchange announces AutoParts partnership

Online marketplace for recycled parts PartsXchange has announced a new partnership with Charlton Recycled AutoParts.

As part of the deal it will now list AutoParts’ range of green parts on its website.

EV sales soar in second quarter

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has revealed that the UK’s used car market rose by 4.1% in the second quarter of the year.

It found that 1,832,267 units changed hands, with used battery electric vehicle sales growing by 81.8% to 30,645 units.

New scrappage scheme launched in London

A new £110m scrappage scheme has been introduced in London to help drivers prepare for the expansion of the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) on 29 August 2023.

The scheme will offer grants to motorists looking to scrap or retrofit vehicles that do not meet new emissions standards.

Drivers urged to display emissions stickers

UK motorists heading to Europe this year risk a £154 fine if their vehicles do not meet air quality regulations.

Drivers have been warned to apply for and display the correct windscreen stickers before travelling, adding that different regions require different stickers.

Fix Auto Devon sites complete EV training

Fix Auto Crediton and Fix Auto Newton Abbot have completed Thatcham Research’s EV Aware and EV Ready training programmes.

The online courses, available via Thatcham Research’s ecademy learning platform, ensures all colleagues have the level of knowledge suitable to their jobs to handle electric vehicles.

Premiums reach record highs

Motor insurance premiums reached a record high in the second quarter of 2023, with the average comprehensive policy now £511. This is a seven per cent rise on the first quarter and 21% up on the same quarter of 2022.

Meanwhile, insurers paid out £2.4bn in all motor insurance claims in the first quarter of this year, a rise of 14% on the first quarter of 2022.

Government launches EV inquiry

The government has launched a new inquiry into electric vehicles as it considers the viability of its proposed 2030 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars. It is seeking real-world insights from drivers, manufacturers, repairers and all industry stakeholders around buying experience, aftersales support, charging and end-of-life disposal.

People

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has appointed John Ricardo-Neto as its new Head of Product Planning.

LV= has appointed Matt Crabtree as Head of Finance Crime Strategy.

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

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Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

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ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

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ARC360 News – Friday 4 August 2023

4 August 2023

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

The realities of EVs

Opinion within the industry remains divided on both the practicalities of repairing EVs and their long-term future.

While some believe electrification of the car park is inevitable and repairers need to ready themselves now, others suggest the technology may yet be usurped by an alternative and that reshaping their businesses around EV repairs is expensive and unrealistic.

Experts set to explore key topics at EMCC

Leading experts from across the sector will explore the key topics impacting the motor insurance claims sector as part of ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference (EMCC) 2023.

Taking place on Thursday 5 October at Landing Forty-Two, London the event will include a variety of high-level insights from C-Suite insurers, insurtechs, and supply chain specialists providing insights into key subject matters such as claims inflation, credit hire, mobility, people, personal injury, repair, and vehicle salvage amongst many other topical issues impacting on the sector.

Copart expansion continues apace

Copart UK is doubling its operational capacity in Scotland with the development of a new 31-acre site in East Kilbride.

It is also expanding its Sandtoft site to create a 110-acre UK Super Centre in the North of England.

Repairify announces Australian joint venture

Repairify Australia will deliver remote automotive repair solutions to the Australian and New Zealand markets after announcing a joint venture with Capricorn Society.

The joint venture will be branded Repairify and distributed throughout Capricorn’s 25,000 member businesses and the wider automotive aftermarket.

UK manufacturing enjoys positive momentum

Car production in the UK rose for the fifth month in a row in June, taking output in the first half of the year to 450,168 units. This represents an increase of 11.7% on last year although it remains 32.5% down on pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Elsewhere, van production in the UK enjoyed its best first half of the year since 2011, with 58,675 units manufactured. June’s total of 11,748 represented a 23% increase.

EV sales drive market growth

A new electric car was sold every minute in the UK as the overall new car market grew by 28.3% to 143,921 units in July.

After one year of continuous growth, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders now anticipates new car registrations to reach 1.847 million by the end of the year, a 0.9% rise on expectations in April.

Failing focus on fresh skills

Data from Thatcham Research has revealed falling investment in training across the industry.

It found that apprentice starts in 2021/22 dropped to 432, just 45% of 2017/18 figure. This rose to 844 in 2021/22 but has dropped again to 775 so far this year.

Businesses urged to fight fire risks

Businesses have been urged to update their fire, health and safety assessments as more electric vehicles enter the UK car park.

Training provider Park Lodge International has warned that everyone who comes into contact with an EV needs to be aware of the potential risks. This includes recovery agents, vehicle damage assessors, technicians and those working for the emergency services.

Motor claims numbers falling sharply

Data received by ACSO has revealed a continuing decline in motor claims numbers.

It found that just 89,361 motor claims were issued between 1 April and 30 June, compared to 93,113 for the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, the figures were 159,417 and 146,844 in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Demand escalating for Ben support

Automotive charity Ben has reported a 23% increase in enquiries in the second quarter of the year, and a 20% increase in support cases.

The sharp rise comes as the cost-of-living pressures continue to intensify, with Ben supporting 128 households who couldn’t afford to put food on the table in the last year, 66 households who couldn’t pay their rent or mortgage costs and 52 households who couldn’t afford their utility bills.

iRG introduces ‘collaborative’ apprenticeship scheme

iRG’s new apprenticeship programme, launched this spring is proving a resounding success with 15 new starters joining the scheme in the first three months.

The company now aims to expand the programme by working with other repairers to create more opportunities and a wider mentoring support system. It has already successfully referred candidates to other repairers and currently has 10 more on a waiting list, seeking placement.

Nationwide Assistance Group bolsters fleet

Nationwide Assistance Group has added two remote-controlled Towtrack specialist removal vehicles to its fleet. The vehicles are ideal for car parks, locked vehicles, electric vehicles, and off-road recoveries.

Road and Race cuts ribbon on Chester site

Prestige vehicle specialists Road and Race Restorations has unveiled its new site in Chester.

The state-of-the-art repairer has aluminium and electric vehicle capability and is approved by some of the world’s leading car manufacturers such as VW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz.

IMI warns of falling EV tech numbers

The Institute of the Motor Industry has warned of a 31% fall in the number of technicians securing EV qualifications in the second quarter of the year. This follows a 10% year-on-year fall in the first quarter.

It says the industry will need 139,000 qualified EV technicians by 2032 but today that number is only 42,400.

Fix Auto Edinburgh celebrates PAS 2060 success

Fix Auto Edinburgh West has achieved PAS 2060 status. Working with ECA business energy, it has implemented a number of carbon reduction strategies and created a target-led plan to reduce emissions year on year.

Audi lights the way ahead

Audi has introduced second-generation digital OLED lighting to its Q6 e-tron model, enabling drivers to set light signatures for the headlights and rear lights via an app. It believes this will improve safety, enhance personalisation, and permanently change car-to-infrastructure communication.

Hooper solution accelerates claims

Hooper has enhanced its independent vehicle inspection technology. Its innovative solution enables clients and engineers to upload images remotely, while insurers can view the status of each report online at any time.

EV demand rising in line with online transactions

The number of car buyers considering a pure EV rose from 15% to 20% between December 2021 and December 2022.

This is according to a new report by McKinsey, which also found that one in three customers would complete the entire transaction online. Less than a quarter say they want an entirely ‘human’ experience.

People

Mirka has appointed Ross Hanna as Business Development Manager for Ireland & Scotland.

David Sollars has been named Senior Project Manager, Body Repair Claims, EMEA.

Chris Weeks has started his new position as Managing Director at Evolution Repair Group.

Nicola Burnside has joined the Renault UK leadership team as Head of Alpine UK.

More Insights

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

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

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ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

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iRG introducing ‘collaborative’ apprenticeship scheme

4 August 2023

Bodyshop, People, Supplier, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words

iRG’s new apprenticeship programme is proving a resounding success with 15 new starters joining the scheme in the first three months.

The programme has been introduced to educate and attract talent from outside the industry and highlight the progressive, diverse and lucrative career paths available.

iRG said, “We appreciate this may be a little out of the norm, as typically repairers tend to view each other as competitors, but our approach here is not only to ensure a strong and sustainable future for iRG, but for the industry as a whole, which we can only do by working together.”

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

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

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ARC360 News – Friday 21 July 2023

21 July 2023

Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

The EV impact on engineering and skills

The rise and rise of electric vehicles has already brought about a fundamental change to the industry, with repair processes and skills now seemingly in a constant race to catch up according to Adrian Watson, Head of Engineering, and Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services from Thatcham Research.

EMCC set for high level insights

ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference (EMCC) 2023 will explore the key areas impacting the motor insurance claims sector through the lens of a variety of key industry stakeholders.

IMI report reveals worrying training dip

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has published a new report highlighting the dip in training and education across the automotive industry since the pandemic.

Its research has found that automotive apprentices have risen 12% so far this year, but are still eight per cent below 2019/2020 levels and 31% below what they were in 2018/2019.

Further, it has found a seven per cent drop in vocational qualifications compared to last year.

Enterprise tackles US skills gap

Enterprise Holdings is tackling the skills gap in America by announcing that the Metropolitan Community College in Nebraska will now offer its Collision Engineering Programme (CEP).

CEP is now available in seven educational institutions across the US as Enterprise tackles the expected shortfall of 110,000 technicians by 2026.

Enterprise expands rental network

Enterprise has cut the ribbon on a new rental branch. Based in Dagenham, the new site will create five new jobs, including three graduate trainees.

Galaxy stars in Mirka product range

Mirka has unveiled its new self-sharpening Galaxy abrasive tool, which enables technicians to sand faster and longer and comes with a clog-resistant coating and multi-fit hole configuration eliminates dust.

Solera Global launches AI-powered triage solution

Solera Global has unveiled a new intelligent triage solution that helps claims handlers immediately assess whether a damaged vehicle is repairable or not.

The AI-powered solution delivers early identification of total losses and vehicles that are unsafe to drive, as well as a streamlined triage process and compatibility with any estimating platform.

Meanwhile, Audatex has announced the latest AudaEnterpriseGold data release, adding 12 new and 83 updated model sheets to the vehicle database.

Brand success for Fix Auto UK partners

Fix Auto UK has announced that four franchise partners have secured Toyota and Lexus vehicle approval.

Fix Auto Leicester, Fix Auto Mid Devon, its sister site in Newton Abbot, and Fix Auto Slough have all completed the manufacturers’ stringent compliance process.

Autocraft completes £250,000 solar investment

Autocraft Telford has completed a £250,000 investment into solar energy.

It has installed a 216kW solar power system on the roof of its 25,000 sqft headquarters in Shropshire which is expected to reduce electricity costs by up to 70%.

Doseley Motors celebrates 18^th JLR birthday

Doseley Motors has retained its JLR approval for the 18^th consecutive year after passing its VM audit. It achieved a score of 94%, underlining its commitment to meeting the brand’s exacting repair and training standards.

Fix Auto Harlow investment yields instant rewards

Fix Auto Harlow has seen a 40% increase in productivity after securing a new 5,000 sqft site alongside its existing facility.

The new unit has been fitted out with an additional spraybooth, improving workflow to support productivity growth to more than 110 vehicles a month.

CMA approves Copart/Hills deal

The Competition and Markets Authority has officially given the green light to Copart’s acquisition of Hills Motors.

In May it launched an investigation into the proposed deal, fearing a lessening of competition in the UK market for vehicle salvage services.

Leading brands create new support hub

Eight leading automotive brands have merged expertise to create 1TEC Auto Hub to support the repair sector with training and advice.

LKQ Euro Car Parts, TMD Friction Group, Shell, Clarios, Valeo, MPM, Schaeffler, ZF are working together to deliver the ‘next generation of workshop concept’, providing technical data, business support and dedicated support.

IMI launches automotive awareness campaign

The Institute of the Motor Industry has launched a new campaign to promote the industry to the next generation and debunk some of the myths around the sector.

It will use real stories from real people in the industry to highlight the varied career opportunities that exist.

Used EV values comparable to ICE models

Aston Barclay has reported that the price of some used EVs are now comparable to their ICE equivalents after revealing that used EV values dropped 1.4% in the second quarter of 2023.

Average prices decreased to £22,100, with an average age and mileage of 30 months and 22,128 miles.

JLR confirms £4bn investment in UK gigafactory

Jaguar Land Rover owners Tata Group has confirmed it will develop a new EV battery gigafactory in Somerset.

The site represents an investment of £4bn and is expected to create upwards of 9,000 additional jobs.

Magnificent seven for Genesis

Genesis Motor UK has appointed seven new retail partners to complement its existing Genesis studios and online services.

They are Ancaster Group, Arnold Clark, Hendy Group, Holdcroft Group, Pendragon, Richmond Motor Group and Sinclair Group, with representatives from each attending the prestigious Genesis Scottish Open last week for an official signing ceremony.

New guide helps fleets meet ULEZ compliance

Shoreham Vehicle Auctions (SVA) has launched a commercial vehicle disposal guide to help fleets optimise their residual values as they transition towards a ULEZ compliant fleet.

The guide helps fleets set the correct reserves and points out the benefits of offering vehicles to an open market across both physical and online channels.

Allianz apprentices join SYNETIQ

SYNETIQ has welcomed three Allianz Insurance apprentices to its Doncaster headquarters.

They will spend a few days on site working with the SYNETIQ teams to follow the salvage journey once a vehicle arrives on site.

Motor premiums soar 40%

Comprehensive car insurance premiums have rocketed by 40% in a year, according to the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index in association with WTW.

Average policies have climbed £222 in 12 months to £776, with drivers aged 17-20 seeing policies soar by £903 to £2,414, representing a rise of 60%.

People

Chris Setz has started a new position as Chief Commercial Officer at WhoCanFixMyCar.

Georgia Brown has been appointed Network Relationship Programme Manager at LKQ Corporation.

Marshalls Motor Group has named Garry Winckley as Group Aftersales Director.

Laird has appointed Adam Fletcher as Desktop Engineer.

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

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

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IMI report reveals worrying training dip

21 July 2023

Bodyshop, People, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has published a new report highlighting the dip in training and education across the automotive industry since the pandemic.

Its research has found that automotive apprentices have risen 12% so far this year, but are still eight per cent below 2019/2020 levels and 31% below what they were in 2018/2019.

Further, it has found a seven per cent drop in vocational qualifications compared to last year.

Emma Carrigy, Research and Insights Manager at the IMI, said, “It is encouraging to see that automotive employers are working hard to bring new talent into the sector, compared to the same period in the last academic year. Indeed, we are among the few sectors that have actually seen an upturn in apprenticeship start numbers year-on-year.

“However, our data shows that automotive employers are lagging behind other sectors when it comes to using levy funding. This seems to be a huge missed opportunity particularly when inflationary pressures ae so challenging. So far for the 2022-23 academic year, 59% of automotive apprentices are levy funded compared to 67% across all sectors.”

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

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

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The EV impact on engineering and skills

21 July 2023

Bodyshop, Insurance, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

The rise and rise of electric vehicles has already brought about a fundamental change to the industry, with repair processes and skills now seemingly in a constant race to catch up.

At ARC360’s specialist EV event, EV-olution, which was held at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, sponsors Thatcham Research delivered a compelling session which examined the impact of this new technology on the entire motor claims journey.

Adrian Watson, Head of Engineering, and Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, considered the issue from both an engineering and skills perspective, emphasising that no part of the claim is untouched when an EV is involved.

Adrian said, “EVs have already had a marked impact on motor claims and repairs, but even greater change is still to come. At Thatcham Research we are trying to understand the flux in the market and how it will impact insurers and the motor claims workflow.”

Knowledge

In the last three years Thatcham Research has focused on the post-accident journey. It has found that opinion is still divided on the impact of EVs, with some people thinking they have minimal impact on the claims journey and others thinking they’re the end of the world.

“The reality is somewhere between the two,” Adrian said, suggesting that those who don’t think they need to change their processes when dealing with an EV do not understand the technology well enough.

“Everything within a claim changes if it’s an EV. No part of the claim is not touched, but I’m not seeing a lot of adjustments or acceptance that that is the case. There is an awful lot of knowledge within the industry, but is that knowledge getting where it needs to be?”

He said that on average EVs add about 25% to the overall cost of the claim. This takes into account a number of factors that are often overlooked, such as the weight of the vehicle and how that changes recovery, managing potential fire risks, the extra space required at a bodyshop and the need sometimes to employ experts to carry out specialist tasks, such as powering down the vehicle.

Adrian said, “We mapped the total claims flow for an ICE vehicle and then then did the same for an EV and have produced a report that compares those two journeys. That report shows that the level of sophistication is significantly more for an EV.”

Batteries

However, far and away the most significant factor of an EV repair is the battery. Batteries are now the most expensive spare part ever seen in the sector, costing up to 105% of the list price of the vehicle, and while nearly half of vehicle manufacturers (43%) have strategies in place for their post-accident repair, the reality is that hardly any of these repairs are taking place.

This, said Adrian, is because the diagnostics doesn’t exist to tell technicians whether the battery is safe and repairable.

“There is a lack of information from the vehicle manufacturers and that lack of knowledge in the aftermarket means than in most cases of battery damage the vehicle is declared a total loss,” Adrian said.

Apart from driving up costs, this is also bad for the environment as there is little or no capacity in the UK for recycling batteries.

Adrian concluded, “There is a lot of work for all of us to do, especially around getting the information that does exist to the people who need it. But there is not a single challenge around EVs that is not solveable.”

Skills

Dean agreed that a lack of knowledge remains the industry’s most urgent concern. The Institute of the Motor Industry has warned of a 160,000 shortfall in qualified technicians by 2030, but Dean believes that number could be even higher if training is not dramatically accelerated.

He said, “Education and training is one of the biggest challenges in the market. We already don’t have enough people to repair the volumes of cars coming through, and we’re struggling to get the knowledge and skills to the people we have got to deal with the technology changes that are coming along.”

Thatcham Research is seeking to address that through its automotive academy and e-learning platform.

Modular and blending both practical and digital learning for greatest effect, the platform delivers the right level of training to the right people at the right time. This includes front-of-house to enable them to make the right decisions at the start of the process, and recovery drivers to ensure they can carry out their jobs safely.

Dean said, “I can see businesses relying on just one person to have all the EV knowledge. I understand that because it’s expensive to send a technician away for four days. That’s why we offer a blended learning solution, because it is critical to ensure that everyone in the business, not just a select few, are EV trained. This knowledge will save you time and cost, because mistakes are very expensive.”

Levels

To help businesses better understand what level of knowledge is required for each colleague, Thatcham Research has broken its training down into four packages.

EV Aware provides a general level of EV understanding and is suitable for everyone in the business.

EV Safe explains how to approach the vehicle and shut it down safely, which is one of the most vital things to understand.

EV Competent is aimed at technicians actually repairing the vehicle, while EV Ready is a business-wide accreditation that ensures everyone on site has the appropriate knowledge and understanding. It comes with certification which is updated annually.

Dean concluded, “If we solve the knowledge challenge we’re half-way there, but the reality is you retain about 25% of classroom-based learning for more than three months unless you practice it in the workplace.

“Everything we do is modular and digital, so it stays with the learner and they can revisit the knowledge whenever they want. But whoever you choose as your training provider, you have to do it with intent because it is essential you’re getting the right knowledge into the business.”

ARC360’s specialist EV-olution event was sponsored by Thatcham Research and ControlExpert, along with ARC360 Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Copart, Entegral, Enterprise, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance, S&G Response, and Solera Audatex, and Partners: Gemini Accident Repair Centres, Repairify, and Prasco UK.

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Sensors critical to self-driving but pose challenges

13 July 2023

Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, vehicle sales, wellbeing and Words

Euro NCAP’s European New Car Assessment Programme, which has been updated this year to reflect technological developments, particularly around RADAR and LiDAR, suggests that the industry is still some way from full autonomy being introduced safely.

The new testing programme found that sensors can significantly reduce the likelihood of collisions, but was still some way short of enabling full self-driving cars.

Tom Leggett, Vehicle Technology Specialist, at Thatcham Research, said, “One of the most challenging aspects of collision avoidance is detecting and responding to rapidly approaching motorcycles. Motorcycles often have a small visual profile and can be difficult to identify, especially in complex traffic situations. Vehicles fitted with technology such as LiDAR significantly improve motorcycles’ potential detection and tracking, leading to enhanced safety for both motorcycle riders and other road users.”

The first car tested under the new 2023 Euro NCAP Active Safety scenarios was the NIO EL7, which performed well across most testing environments.

Tom said, “The car demonstrated its LiDAR-based technology has high-fidelity performance in avoiding ever-increasing complex crash types. However, the Car-to-Car Crossing at higher speeds and Car-to-Motorcycle Crossing proved too challenging for the active safety systems to achieve the highest grade.”

While the most advanced LiDAR systems now have the capability to detect lane markings, read road signs, and even identify road hazards like potholes, they comes with challenges.

Tom said, “An autonomous vehicle would need to have an extremely accurate and real-time picture of the world around it in order to piece together decision-making and action processes close to the level of complexity that a human can manage. This is especially true in urban environments, where the vehicle encounters a variety of vehicles and vulnerable road users moving in many different directions and speeds in real-time. The current technology is some way off being able to do that at the high fidelity needed for it to be consistently safe.

“Furthermore, the number of qualified personnel available to service this equipment isn’t appropriate for the technology to become rapidly widespread.”

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Thatcham Research expands EV training portfolio

13 July 2023

Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words

Thatcham Research has enhanced its EV training solutions with EV Safe, which has been designed to protect key workers who interact with High Voltage (HV) vehicles.

The two-day in-person course will deliver the skills and knowledge to safely shut down and reinstate HV vehicles.

This includes understanding if an EV is still live, how to identify the different types of EVs, and the different handling requirements for each.

It addresses potentially dangerous scenarios encountered by first responders as well as Border Force and Police who need to be aware of safe handling considerations while searching EVs.

Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research, said, “As EVs become increasingly present on UK roads, with significant buy-in from public sector organisations, it’s more important than ever for businesses to ensure the safety of their staff.

“With this in mind, I am pleased to announce the launch of our EV Safe training, the latest addition to our suite of EV training programmes.

“Course content is sourced directly from our research facility and the insights that come from our state-of-the-art vehicle-led research. It is essential that our vital public sector and emergency services key workers complete this course to equip themselves with the knowledge to protect themselves and the public when interacting with EVs.

“As electrification technology continues to be embraced on our roads, we must ensure that steps are taken now to properly equip staff across the UK with the knowledge to keep them safe when interacting with these vehicles.”