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ARC360 conference set to unlock the future of vehicle repair

19 February 2025

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

With the motor claims, vehicle repair and mobility sectors continuing to undergo significant change, ARC360’s 2025 conference is set to offer a unique opportunity to stay ahead of the curve.

Taking place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, the event is already set to bring together over 25 leading insurer brands, more than 75 key repairers and in excess of 10 vehicle manufacturers, along with some of the industry’s most influential supply chain voices.

This year’s theme, ‘A New Era – The Changing Dynamics of a Sector’, sets the stage for essential discussions on the key trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the industry today and in the future. Through expert-led sessions, interactive discussions, and an extensive supplier exhibition, attendees will gain:

Insights into market trends and the evolving role of ESG in the sector
A better understanding of how technology is influencing claims and repair decisions
Exclusive perspectives on insurer priorities and how supply chains can align
Valuable takeaways on repair, salvage, and recycling strategies
The chance to network with senior industry leaders and decision-makers

The event is backed by ARC360 Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Entegral, Enterprise, NWVA, Mirka, S&G Response, and Solera Audatex, alongside Partners: e2e, Prasco, and Repairify, and Vehicle Manufacturer Partner: Stellantis. Onyx and Thatcham Research also join as event sponsors.

With industry leaders already confirmed to join discussions from Allianz, Ageas, Steer Automotive Group, NBRA, National Accident Repair Group, and S&G Response, this is the chance to be part of the conversations shaping the future of the industry.

Secure your place now – for attendance or sponsorship opportunities – contact Liane at liane@iloveclaims.com.

For a look at last year’s insights, visit ARC360 2024 Recap.

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ARC360 News – Friday 14 February 2025

14 February 2025

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

ARC360 event continues to raise the bar

More than 25 insurer brands and over 75 of the sector’s leading vehicle repairer entities are already set to join ARC360’s 2025 event in May as it continues to raise the bar across the sector.

The event takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. Full story

The NBRA has provided an update on EDAM: “The NBRA continue to work at understanding how best to resolve the repercussions to the industry following EDAM being placed into administration. We are in active dialogue with Interpath and their solicitors and have instructed the team at MILS our NBRA solicitors, and legal counsel to draft a response to correspondence outlining the legal position.”

AutoRaise is calling on UK bodyshops to take urgent action to secure the future of the automotive repair industry. The UK’s vehicle repair sector is facing a severe skills shortage, with over 5,000 vacancies currently unfilled and the gap widening each year.

Fix Auto UK has given its full support to Apprenticeship Central, the unique recruitment organisation dedicated to serving the vehicle repair sector. The endorsement could not have been better timed as across the country businesses are celebrating the 18th annual National Apprentice Week (February 10-16).

James Alpe has announced it is now a Tesla approved bodyshop.

Linda Jones has started a new position as Senior Customer Service at HB Accident Repair Network, while Phil Allman has been appointed Commercial Programme Manager.

Daryll O’Keefe has been promoted to Fix Auto Vice President, Strategic Business Development – North America.

Honda-Nissan multi-billion dollar merger collapses

Merger talks between Honda and Nissan have collapsed after the firms failed to agree on a multi-billion-dollar tie-up. The Japanese carmakers, along with junior partner Mitsubishi, had aimed to combine their businesses to fight back against competition from rival firms, especially in China. Full story

Driving the next generation of automotive talent through apprenticeships

During this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, Volkswagen Group UK is not only celebrating with a visit to the Houses of Parliament to showcase network skills, but also launching a number of new head office apprenticeship roles, covering data, IT, business and finance. Full story

MINI increases personalisation and usability across MINI family

Following the successful launch of the new MINI family, a range of additions and optional extras are set to further enhance the MINI offering from Spring 2025. Increasing personalisation across the MINI Cooper, MINI Cooper Convertible and MINI Countryman, customers now have a wider choice of exterior colours and trim combinations, alongside new digital features and improved practicality. Full story

Bentley opens doors of new Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch

Bentley Motors has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Excellence Centre for Quality & Launch. The new facility, opened by Gunnar Kilian, Member of the Board of Management at Volkswagen AG, and Bentley’s Board of Management, will be pivotal to the brand’s preparations for the first Bentley BEV. Full story

Stellantis and Mistral AI strengthen strategic partnership

Stellantis and Mistral AI are deepening their strategic collaboration to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) across multiple areas, from vehicle engineering to in-car experiences. This partnership leverages Mistral AI’s expertise in large language models (LLMs) and AI-driven automation to bring AI to many systems and applications across Stellantis enterprise, improving data analysis, streamlining development, and enhancing customer interaction. Full story

BYD expands ‘God’s Eye’ intelligent driving into its entry level cars

BYD threw a bombshell into China’s EV sector with its announcement that its advanced driver assistance system—known as “God’s Eye”—is now available in over 20 models, with the cheapest model, the Seagull, priced at under £8,000. Full story

ID One name seemingly confirmed for VW’s new sub-£20,000 EV

It’s been reported that Volkswagen’s new baby electric car will be called the ID One. The new model will debut in 2027, and has a promised price tag of less than £20,000. Full story

XPENG announces official launch in the UK

XPENG, a Chinese-born global-orientated high-tech automotive company, has announced its official entry to the UK. It will unveil the ultra-smart all-electric mid-size coupe SUV, XPENG G6 in March, with launch price from £39,990. XPENG is partnering with International Motors to open 20 dealerships in the UK this year. Full story

EV transition drives apprentice recruitment as industry skills up for ‘growth decade’

Top employers in the UK automotive sector are investing in a major skills drive to grow apprenticeship numbers by almost a sixth in 2025, according to a new survey by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, as manufacturers embark on a ‘green growth decade’. More than 550 new apprentices already having joined the sector this academic year, with an additional 740 apprenticeships still available. Full story

IMI response to government’s new Apprenticeship Reforms and Skills Strategy

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) cautiously welcomes the government’s announcement on apprenticeship reforms as a step in the right direction. However, it urges that short-term flexibility does not come at the expense of high-quality training and future-proof skills development. Full story

Apprenticeship Central breaks down apprenticeship reforms

In the middle of National Apprentice Week the government announced a wide ranging package of reforms to boost growth of apprenticeship placements. Cutting through the jargon Apprenticeship Central has set out what the announcement means. Full story

Demand for used EVs rises to record levels as second-hand car market grows in 2024

The UK’s used car market grew by 5.5% to 7,643,180 transactions in 2024, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Marking eight quarters of continuous growth, the year saw 400,488 more vehicles change hands than in 2023, with growth in the new car market fuelling availability and wider choice within the used sector. Full story

European auto industry champions policies for future-proof workforce at skills strategic dialogue

Securing quality jobs, delivering on skills and training, and ensuring a thriving, competitive European vehicle industry were all at the top of the agenda at the ACEA’s Strategic Dialogue meeting. Full story

Allianz UK warns motor traders of EV battery fire risks

Allianz UK is warning motor traders to be aware of the risks associated with Electric Vehicle (EV) battery fires, which have caused extensive damage in recent cases and created unique challenges. Full story

ACG has appointed Neil Thomas as its latest Business Development Manager.

Gemma Edwards has been appointed Business Development Manager at Remit Training.

Industry Insights is delighted to welcome Alan Cottrill to the motor claims business consultancy team.

Thatcham Research has announced the appointment of Nick Caplan as Chair of the Board of Directors.

Aviva has announced the appointment of Craig Fazzini-Jones as Group Chief Operating Officer.

Chris Payne has been appointed Head of DLG Auto Services at Direct Line Group.

AutoRaise has also announced that Simon Smith, Managing Director and Aviva Repair lead at Solus, will take over from Dave Sargeant, Managing Director of Gemini, as Chair.

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Apprenticeship Central breaks down apprenticeship reforms

13 February 2025

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

In the middle of National Apprentice Week the government announced a wide ranging package of reforms to boost growth of apprenticeship placements.

Cutting through the jargon Apprenticeship Central has set out what the announcement means.

It said the minimum duration of an apprenticeship will be reduced to eight months from the current minimum of 12 months with the view to make it easier for employers in sectors with urgent skills needs to train and retain talent quickly.

Having said this, Apprenticeship Central does not see this really affecting the duration of technical courses in our highly skilled sector.

Meanwhile, businesses will now be able to decide whether learners 19-plus will need to complete a level 2 English and maths qualification (equivalent to GCSE) when they start their apprenticeship course in order to pass it. This is welcome news as it gives the decision making on qualifications back to employers and allows apprentices to focus on job-specific skills and paid work.

Meanwhile a new Skills England body has been launched to oversee national skills strategy and support economic growth.

Apprenticeship Central signalled this change several weeks ago and welcomes the step towards cutting bureaucracy and ensuring skills training aligns with industry needs. Having a single governing body can streamline processes, remove red tape and make it easier for businesses to develop their workforce.

The reform package designed to break the link between background and success. Too many young people leave full time education with little to show for their time there but with the right apprenticeship programme they can develop the skills and confidence to thrive.

The government estimates this package of reforms could provide up to 10,000 more apprentices per year.

Director of Apprenticeship Central, Eleanor Baker Barnes said: “We know that our industry is overwhelmingly receptive to apprenticeships. Removing red tape and beauracracy, especially around core functional skills such as English and maths, is key to further growth. We can see 2025 is going to be a milestone year for apprentices in the collision repair sector.”

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Apprenticeship Central launch a VDA Apprenticeship Programme

12 February 2025

Bodyshop, People, Training and Words

Apprenticeship Central has announced its Vehicle Damage Assessor Apprenticeship Programme has completed a successful trial phase and it will soon be able to place VDA apprenticeship candidates into bodyshops.

Eleanor Baker Barnes, Director at Apprenticeship Central, said, “We’re excited to unveil the next phase of our apprenticeship offerings. Through our Recruit and Retain programmes, our mission is to help equip apprentices with the skills and confidence they need to excel in a rapidly evolving industry while contributing to a more sustainable and innovative future.”

This initiative is designed to address critical skills gaps while fostering a culture of innovation among apprentices. Apprenticeship Central is committed to preparing apprentices not just for their roles today, but for a future filled with opportunity and progress.

Eleanor added, “Our apprenticeships are not just about developing skills, they are about shaping the leaders of tomorrow’s bodyshop world. The recent changes to Level 2 English and maths qualifications create new opportunities for a wider talent pool and we look forward to welcoming a new wave of apprentices who will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the industry.”

Anyone interested in joining the programme, which is designed to support both new and current team members, is invited to email enquire@apprenticeship-central.co.uk

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Fix Auto UK announces Apprenticeship Central partnership

10 February 2025

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

Fix Auto UK has given its full support to Apprenticeship Central, the unique recruitment organisation dedicated to serving the vehicle repair sector.

The endorsement could not have been better timed as across the country businesses are celebrating the 18th annual National Apprentice Week (February 10-16). The national campaign echoes the wider need for employers to fill skills gaps to help grow their business.

Fix Auto UK was the first organisation in the industry to partner with Apprenticeship Central under the ownership of the late Bob Linwood. Bob was a tireless advocate for young people, dedicating his time to creating clear pathways into the industry for them. His loss was profoundly felt by many, and his unwavering commitment continues to inspire our passion for carrying forward his legacy. The partnership formalises the Group’s focus on recruiting and retaining apprentices.

Apprenticeship Central and Fix Auto UK are now building on Bob’s legacy following the announcement the business is now led by Eleanor Baker Barnes as Commercial Director and Fix Auto Dagenham’s Director Chris Oliver. Together, the two businesses will strive to bring the next generation of talent into the group and showcase the opportunities within the industry that offer skills for life.

Cheryl Chung, who is leading the development and delivery of Fix Auto UK’s ESG strategy, said: “The future of the vehicle repair sector depends on our commitment to investing in the next generation of technicians, Fix Auto UK fully endorses Apprenticeship Central and its recruitment platform. Young talent is the backbone of our industry, and through our nationwide network of Franchise Partners, we’re dedicated to creating opportunities that develop the next generation of top-tier technicians.”

Operations Director Mark Hutchins added: “Similarly to when Bob was at the helm, our focus hasn’t changed and Apprenticeship Central, under Eleanor and Chris’s ownership, has our full support.

“Recruitment, particularly apprentices, is vital to the future of the industry. Recruiting and managing apprentices has its challenges and we are pleased to have Apprenticeship Central in our corner to guide and drive our apprenticeship goals. Bob’s sudden passing stunned us all, but we are delighted the business is in the safest hands possible as we and our Franchise Partners look to bring new talent.”

Eleanor said, “The Apprenticeship Central Team is delighted to be re-establishing our relationship with the Fix Auto UK network. Bob had previously laid the foundations, and we’re excited to build on that momentum to support the network’s goals of bringing more young people into the industry. As industry leaders, Fix Auto UK and its Franchise Partners offers an inspiring environment for apprentices to launch their careers and we’re proud to play a part in nurturing the next generation of talent.”

Chris concluded: “Everyone who knows me knows just how passionate I am at constantly identifying and bringing new talented young people into the industry. It really cannot be understated just how important it is for the future of our industry. Partnering with Eleanor and building upon Bob’s legacy really is a privilege. Receiving the full support of Fix Auto UK is a significant endorsement.”

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AutoRaise relaunches with ‘Call to Action’ campaign to tackle industry skills crisis

10 February 2025

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

AutoRaise is calling on UK bodyshops to take urgent action to secure the future of the automotive repair industry.

The UK’s vehicle repair sector is facing a severe skills shortage, with over 5,000 vacancies currently unfilled and the gap widening each year.

In response, AutoRaise is relaunching to inspire more bodyshops to take on apprentices and train the next generation of skilled technicians.

The relaunch coincides with the launch of AutoRaise’s ‘Call to Action’ campaign, a nationwide push urging repairers to act now by investing in apprenticeships.

Emma Speed, Managing Director of AutoRaise, said, “The skills gap in our industry is no longer just a future concern—it’s a crisis happening right now. Bodyshops are struggling to find technicians, and without action, we risk serious consequences for businesses, customers, and the entire sector.

“Our ‘Call to Action’ campaign is about making it clear: apprenticeships are not just a nice-to-have; they are an essential investment in the future of our industry.”

Making apprenticeships work for bodyshops

Many repairers want to invest in apprentices but are unsure where to start. AutoRaise, in partnership with the NBRA (National Body Repair Association), is making the process simpler, more accessible, and fully supported.

Through this relaunch, AutoRaise is:

Connecting bodyshops with motivated apprentices—helping employers find the right talent.
Introducing the New AutoRaise Bursary Fund – Providing financial support to smaller bodyshops to help cover the additional costs of hiring an apprentice. The bursary helps cover essential costs such as tools, travel, and equipment.
Providing step-by-step support—from recruitment and training to funding guidance.
Helping businesses access funding—up to 100% of training costs covered by the government.
Delivering practical tools & mentoring resources to ensure a smooth apprenticeship experience.
Partnering with new Patrons Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog to raise awareness of the importance of apprentices in our industry

AutoRaise is now urging bodyshops to take action by registering their interest in hiring an apprentice. https://www.autoraise.co.uk/get-started/register-your-interest/

Changes

Meanwhile, AutoRaise has also announced changes to the board of Trustees. Dave Sargeant, Managing Director of Gemini, will be stepping down as Chair of AutoRaise, with Simon Smith, Managing Director and Aviva Repair lead at Solus, taking up the role.

Smith said, “I’m honoured to take on the role of Chair at AutoRaise at such a pivotal time for the industry. The skills shortage is one of the biggest challenges we face, and apprenticeships are the key to securing the future of automotive repair.

“AutoRaise has already made a significant impact, but now is the time to go further – working more closely with bodyshops, strengthening industry partnerships, and ensuring that funding and support are accessible to all. I look forward to building on the fantastic work already done and driving forward initiatives that will create real opportunities for the next generation of skilled technicians.”

Meanwhile, joining Dave on the advisory board will be AutoRaise treasurer Marc Holding, MD at the Vella Group, and Trustee Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services at Thatcham Research. Martyn Rowley from the National Body Repair Association (NBRA) has also joined AutoRaise as a trustee.

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ARC360 News – Friday 07 February 2025

7 February 2025

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

More leading names added to ARC360 conference line-up

Michael Golding, Network Manager, Allianz; Martyn Rowley, Executive Director, NBRA & VBRA Commercial; and Andy Whatmough, Managing Director, S&G Response are three more leading names added to ARC360’s conference line-up.

More than 20 major insurance brands and over 60 of the sector’s leading repairers have already confirmed their support of ARC360’s 2025 conference which takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. Full story

NBRA joins ILC as Industry Body Partner to further support repair community

NBRA – the UK’s leading vehicle body repair membership organisation – has joined ILC as an Industry Body Partner to help support the UK’s accident repair community and provide even greater value to its members.

Building on an already close working relationship, the partnership sees NBRA onboarded with ILC as an Industry Body Partner providing its members with discounts to ILC events, and free access to daily motor insurance claims market news and insights. ILC will also help the NBRA engage with senior industry stakeholders from across the motor insurance claims sector. Full story

The Vella Group has announced the acquisition of First National Vehicles, which trades as Central Accident Repairs, in Wednesbury, West Midlands. This new location will become The Vella Group’s 18th site and marks the company’s first acquisition of 2025. Full story

Tony Bird, Accident Repair Centre Manager at Vertu Accident Repair Centre Truro, has been named as Accident Repair Centre Manager of the Year at Vertu 2024 CEO Management Awards. Full story

Cougar Accident Repair Centre is teaming up with Vauxhall partner Thurlow Nunn Luton to raise funds for Keech Hospice Care, Luton & Dementia UK by climbing Scafell Pike.

LD Autovogue has passed another BSI Kitemark Audit with the help and guidance of ECS, its Ezi Compliance System.

Avant Group was officially Carbon Neutral for 2024 after taking meaningful action by supporting a Global Portfolio of Verified Carbon Reduction Projects through Carbon Footprint.

East Bilney Coachworks’ Norwich South branch is proud to be one of the first to receive official BYD manufacturer approval for all paint and body repairs, working in partnership with Busseys.

H&L Motors has celebrated more than a decade of consecutive first-time audit passes on the Volkswagen Paint & Body approved network.

Fylde Coast Accident Repair Centre has successfully passed its latest BSI Kitemark BS10125 audit with a 100% pass rate.

The Motor Ombudsman has announced that eight branches of Lindleys Autocentres have gained accreditation to its Motor Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair.

Volkswagen optimises vehicle development through 3DExperience

Volkswagen Group has inked a long-term partnership Dassault Systèmes to advance its digital infrastructure for state-of-the-art vehicle development. The 3DExperience platform is designed to help automotive manufacturers streamline collaboration and deliver data-driven approaches to manage complexity in the electric vehicle market. Full story

Volkswagen Future Plan: Passenger Cars brand gives first glimpse of entry-level electric model at works meeting

Thomas Schäfer, CEO of the Volkswagen Passenger Cars brand, presented plans for the future of the core brand. Employees also had a first glimpse of the design of the Volkswagen brand’s future entry-level electric model at a price of about €20,000.Volkswagen plans to present the show car for the new entry-level model to the public at the beginning of March. Full story

Honda EV Hub Prepares for new level of flexible production in reimagined manufacturing environment

Honda has provided a first look at its innovative approach to manufacture electric vehicles by late 2025 at the Honda EV Hub in Ohio, detailing the company’s flexible approach that uniquely positions Honda to build internal combustion engine, hybrid-electric, and battery electric vehicles on the same production lines. Full story

GM acquires full ownership of Cruise

General Motors has completed its previously announced acquisition of GM Cruise Holdings LLC following the approval of GM’s merger offer by the Cruise Board of Directors. Now a wholly-owned subsidiary of GM, Cruise going forward will work collaboratively on autonomous vehicle technology and advanced driver assistance systems for personal vehicles. Full story

Toyota Open Labs invites small and medium-sized companies to join the mobility transformation and create a sustainable future

Toyota Motor Europe and partners have launched an open call for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to apply to join the Toyota Open Labs innovation platform. The initiative aims to connect SMEs with business units across the Toyota group and support their ambitions to collaborate, scale up and contribute to a sustainable future. Full story

XPENG announces its arrival in Ireland and Finland

XPENG Motors, the Chinese born carmaker specialising in smart electric mobility, announces its arrival on the Irish and Finnish markets with a series of events in Dublin and Helsinki. Full story

Quantum computing at the BMW Group

The BMW Group has been carrying out detailed research into the potential of quantum computing since 2017. In the not-too-distant future, this technology could solve previously unsolvable complex problems in fields such as materials science and artificial intelligence (AI). This article provides a short overview of how quantum computers work and how they could be used at the BMW Group. Full story

NIO Inc. delivered 13,863 vehicles in January, Increasing by 37.9% YoY

NIO Inc. delivered 13,863 vehicles in January 2025, representing an increase of 37.9% year-over-year. The deliveries consisted of 7,951 vehicles from the premium smart electric vehicle brand NIO, and 5,912 vehicles from the family-oriented smart electric vehicle brand ONVO. Cumulative deliveries reached 685,427 as of January 31, 2025. Full story

Nissan preparing to pull out of merger talks with Honda

Nissan is preparing to pulling out of merger talks with Honda in order to try to find another partner to help with the shift towards electric vehicles.

The two Japanese automotive firms revealed in December that they were considering a £46bn merger, alongside Mitsubishi, to create the world’s third-largest carmaker in terms of annual sales. However, the talks have stuttered amid tensions over the perceived imbalance between the parties. Full story

AutoRaise relaunches to secure the future of automotive repair

AutoRaise, the charity dedicated to addressing the UK’s automotive repair skills crisis through apprenticeships, is relaunching during National Apprenticeship Week 2025 with a bold new vision to tackle the industry’s talent shortage. At a time when the industry faces over 5,000 unfilled roles, AutoRaise is stepping up efforts to connect young people with life-changing career opportunities. Full story

Charge Up: Quarterly EV Insights

The latest quarterly analysis from Activate Group and Gecko Risk’s EV data platform revealed that in 2024 more than 400,000 battery electric vehicles were registered on UK roads, an increase of 50,000 on 2023. The first quarter of 2024 witnessed a sharp decrease in average EV repair costs, reaching their lowest point in May. However, the latter half of the year saw a steady increase, culminating in an average cost of £3,482 by December. Full story

National Apprenticeship Week: The IMI calls for urgency over critical reforms in apprenticeship funding

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is calling for urgency over reforms for apprenticeship funding. The professional body believes this is critical to ensure a robust skills pipeline can meet the automotive sector’s future needs, which are integral to the government’s net zero targets. Full story

Solera Audatex hits key growth milestone in 2024

Solera Audatex has announced a significant milestone in its growth and impact on its UK user base. In 2024 it supported an additional 222 UK repair sites across 187 new customers, averaging more than four new sites per week, enabling greater connectivity across the UK crash-repair supply chain. Full story

NBRA seeks feedback on EDAM administration

The NBRA is working with the administrators of the EDAM Group, Interpath, to support any bodyshops impacted by the announcement on 6 January that the business is closing. It has taken legal advice and is now urging any repairers with unpaid invoices, vehicles still on site or repairs that have not yet commenced to contact the NBRA at bodyshops@rmif.co.uk with relevant details. Full story

Repairify launches revolutionary Digital Technician Apprenticeship Programme in conjunction with QA

Ahead of National Apprenticeship Week, Repairify is announcing the launch of the industry’s first bespoke Digital Technician Apprenticeship Programme in conjunction with world-class training provider QA, helping to address the acute skills shortage within the sector. Full story

LKQ Europe supports EU’s Mobility Transition Pathway with landmark technician training pledge

As part of the Mobility Transition Pathway, LKQ Europe has committed to an ambitious training target to support the green and digital transformation of the automotive sector. Through the dedicated LKQ Academy training division, the company will upskill 24,000 technicians to safely maintain and repair hybrid and electric vehicles across 11 countries by 2028. Full story

Charles Trent unveils green Parts Portal

Charles Trent has launched its innovative B2B Parts Portal to help businesses source and order high-quality green parts. The portal provides instant access to Charles Trent’s live database of over 100,000 quality-assured green parts, all available for next-day delivery. Full story

Car insurance costs drop £221 in a year with younger drivers and those in London benefitting most

The typical cost of car insurance has fallen by £221 annual new data shows. The 23% drop means an average premium fell to £729 in December 2024, compared to £950 in December 2023, Compare the Market says. This marks the cheapest monthly average premium since May 2023 when the average a motorist was paying was £718. Full story

EV share rises despite contracting market but tax hikes threaten targets

The UK new car market fell by 2.5% to 139,345 units in January, according to data released by the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), as weak consumer confidence and tough economic conditions combined to deliver the fourth consecutive month of decline. Registrations by both fleet and private buyers were down in the month, by 3.7% and 0.5% respectively. Full story

Light commercial vehicle market declines in January

Britain’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market fell by 20.5% in the first month of 2025 with 19,050 vans, pick-ups and 4x4s registered, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A second consecutive monthly decline follows robust growth in 2024, and is set against a tough economic backdrop and weakened business confidence to invest. Full story

Retail prices stable as used car market sees record start to 2025

According to the latest data from Auto Trader, the used car market has begun the new year on firm footing despite concerns around the economy, with cars selling at a record pace, engagement on Auto Trader accelerating to seasonal highs, and retail prices continuing to stabilise. Full story

Apprenticeship Central shines a spotlight on VDAs

Apprenticeship Central has highlighted the key role Vehicle Damage Assessors play in a bodyshop’s efficiency and success. More than just an estimator, the VDA plays a pivotal role as the link between the customer, the repair process, and the business’s bottom line. A skilled VDA doesn’t just contribute to the business; they help define its success. Full story

Laura Straiton has joined Avant Repair Network as Business Development Manager.

Rachel Meenaghan has started a new position as Business Development, Events and Marketing Manager at NBRA/VBRA.

Danny Rota has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer at ITAS.

Lisa Coté has been appointed as VP sales and sales operations at motor retail technology market leader iVendi.

Operations Director, John Keeton is celebrating 20 years at FMG.

US: Jake Rodenroth has been appointed Chief Revenue Officer at Quality Collision Group.

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Repairify launches revolutionary Digital Technician Apprenticeship Programme in conjunction with QA

6 February 2025

Bodyshop, Supplier, Technology, Training and Words

The scheme will provide access to industry-leading employment opportunities for young technicians wishing to embark on a modern apprenticeship journey, supporting the development of skilled automotive professionals by offering an unparalleled training structure and hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools.

As a Repairify apprentice, young technicians will be part of a team dedicated to delivering quality and precision advanced remote diagnostics, calibrations, programming, and automotive repair solutions across the automotive repair industry.

The Digital Technician (Level 3) tailored for the automotive industry, provides apprentices with a fully tailored, structured training programme enabling them to become fully qualified.

he course will train apprentices in the following pillars of excellence: ICT (Level 3); Azure; AWS (Amazon Web Services); Held Desk Excellence; IMI (Industry standard accreditation); AOM 230 ADAS; and Level 3 Routine Maintenance on EV and Hybrid vehicles

The Repairify Digital Technician Apprenticeship Programme will enable apprentices to specialise in diagnosing, calibrating and programming vehicle software, troubleshooting systems, and improving efficiency with cloud-based management. The programme also equips them with core IT skills, cloud systems, and fault resolution to drive agility and operational excellence.

Paul Cunningham, Head of European Operations, Repairify, said, “We identified early on that none of the existing apprenticeship courses fitted exactly with the requirements of a digital technician. As a result, we invited QA to provide a full proposal of the role and skillset to develop a partnership that would offer a bespoke and relevant apprenticeship course to the market.

“QA’s self-paced learning platform with interactive labs and configurable learning is an ideal solution for delivering the course and we’re delighted with the outcome. We are looking forward to onboarding our initial two candidates in January in partnership with QA, with more apprentices expected to come onboard later in the year.”

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ARC360 News – Friday 9 May 2025

09-05-2025

Step up for Ben

08-05-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 2 May 2025

02-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

More leading names added to ARC360 conference line-up

5 February 2025

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

The three key additions join previously announced leading influencers: Paul Llewellyn, Head of Claims (Motor), Ageas; Peter Randhawa, Director of ESG & Special Projects, Steer Automotive Group; and Victoria Turner, CEO, National Accident Repair Group all set to take to the stage.

Titled: ‘A new era – the changing dynamics of a sector’, the event – which will also feature a significant supplier exhibition area – will deliver an understanding of the current market dynamics, the impacts they are having and what it means for the future of business; an insight into what is top of insurer priorities and what solutions you can offer; chance to contribute to how all stakeholders have a role to play in making the industry ‘future fit’; interaction with industry experts on how their specific sectors are evolving and the opportunities it is creating; and the ability to align with the opportunities the future industry will bring.

Leading insurers already confirmed to attend include: Ageas Insurance Ltd, Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe, Allianz, Arch Insurance, Aviva Insurance, Broker Direct plc, Collingwood Insurance Services Ltd, Covéa Insurance, Direct Commercial Ltd, Direct Line Group, esure, First Central Services UK Ltd, Hastings Direct, Inshur Inc, LV= General Insurance, Markerstudy Insurance Services Ltd, NFU Mutual, Sabre Insurance plc, Tesco Underwriting, Trinity Claims and Zurich Insurance.

The event is supported by ARC360 Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Entegral, Enterprise, NWVA, Mirka, S&G Response and Solera Audatex, along with Partners: e2e, Prasco and Repairify; and Vehicle Manufacturer Partner: Stellantis. Event sponsors include Activate Group and Thatcham Research.

To find out more about the event – including the sponsorship opportunities available and how to purchase tickets – contact Liane on liane@iloveclaims.com

For a full insight into last year’s occasion, click here to read the Better Tomorrow post-event publication.

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 9 May 2025

09-05-2025

Step up for Ben

08-05-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 2 May 2025

02-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

ARC360 News – Friday 31 January 2025

31 January 2025

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

ARC360 conference draws leading sector wide interest

More than 20 major insurance brands and over 50 of the sectors leading repairers have already confirmed their support of ARC360’s 2025 conference which takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

Set to deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year, ARC360 will discuss the business-critical areas to impact the industry bringing together industry leaders to share experience, insight and knowledge. Full story

The NBRA is working with the administrators of the EDAM Group, Interpath, to support any bodyshops impacted by the announcement on 6 January that the business is closing.

Komoo has opened its latest site located in Stansted. This is the first opening of 2025 and the 17^th in total.

Mustoe’s Specialist Vehicle Body Repairs has unveiled Fix Auto Bristol Central, which will be Stellantis and Suzuki approved. Meanwhile, the business has also secured Renault/Dacia approval for the Caldicot, Monmouthshire area.

Activate Group has announced its Hampton site passed its initial stage 2 BS 10125:2022 audit last week.

ECF Accident Repair Group has retained BS10125 2022 structural aluminium approval coupled with another successful ISO 9001 audit.

Steer Automotive Group has made donations to six incredible initiatives through our Steer Community Fund. They include the St Mary in the Marsh Project Fund, The Association of the Veteran’s Hub Newport, and the Honeypot Children’s Charity.

FMG Repair Services has introduced cutting edge ADAS recalibration equipment from Repairify at all of its UK-wide bodyshops.

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is urging independent garage owners to prioritise succession planning after noticing an increasing number considering closing because no one is in place to manage the company in the future.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) in Northern Ireland is launching a consultation to seek views on changing the frequency of MOT testing from one year to two years (Biennial) for some private cars, motorcycles and light goods vehicles.

Volvo Cars takes full ownership of Novo Energy

Volvo Cars and Northvolt AB have signed a share purchase agreement relating to Northvolt’s shares in NOVO Energy AB, leading to Volvo Cars taking full ownership of NOVO Energy AB, subject to approval by relevant authorities. Full story

JLR invests £65m in sustainable expansion of luxury paint operations for bespoke vehicle personalisation

JLR is investing £65m in sustainably expanding its special paint facilities globally to meet growing demand for personalised luxury vehicles and reduce the environmental impact of its most carbon intensive manufacturing processes. The company has seen demand for personalised colour options, where clients can choose from hundreds of Bespoke Paint and elevated palette options across its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport models, more than double since FY22. Full story

Mitsubishi Motors opts out of Honda-Nissan merger

Mitsubishi Motors has decided not to participate in a proposed merger between Honda Motor and Nissan Motor. Instead, the company will focus on increasing collaboration with both firms in technology development, particularly in software, EVs, and other advanced technologies. Full story

BYD UK continues rapid growth in 2024

BYD is celebrating another year of phenomenal growth in the UK. The company, which officially launched in the UK in March 2023, increased its volume by 658% to over 8,700 cars in 2024 – making it the UK’s fastest growing car brand. Full story

European new car market growth in 2024 driven by hybrids and Chinese brands

Europe’s new passenger car market grew by 0.9% last year. This is according to new data from JATO Dynamics, which found that 12,909,741 new passenger cars were registered across Europe-28 in 2024. Despite the slight uptick in registrations, 2024 was the fifth year of muted registrations figures when compared to pre-pandemic levels. Europe’s car market has shrunk by almost 2.9 million units since the arrival of the pandemic in 2020. Full story

Secure Gateways: Unlocking their role and impact on the automotive industry

In the automotive industry, a secure gateway is a system designed by the vehicle manufacturer to protect a car’s internal systems from unauthorised external access. It also prevents aftermarket tools from gaining entry to sensitive data and software within the vehicle. From a technology standpoint, secure gateways are becoming commonplace in vehicles and access to them is being made harder by the manufacturer. Full story

Copart UK becomes a Silver Partner of The Carbon Literacy Project

Global leader in online vehicle remarketing and recycling Copart UK has announced that it has become a Silver Partner under The Carbon Literacy Project’s Partner Scheme. By becoming a Silver Partner, Copart has demonstrated its commitment to tackling climate change through supporting the vital education and action delivered by The Carbon Literacy Project. Full story

Apprenticeship Central gears us for National Apprenticeship Week

Apprenticeship Central is urging bodyshops to tackle the skills crisis in the industry by tapping into the apprenticeship talent pipeline. The industry recruitment specialists focuses on helping repairers fill the skills gaps in key roles, from Paint Technicians, Panel Technicians, MET Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Vehicle Damage Assessors, and Business Support Administrators. Full story

Minister rules out graduated driving licence for young drivers

The Government has again ruled out introducing a graduated driving licence for young drivers. Speaking in a debate in Parliament, Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood told MPs she is “determined” to take action to cut the number of young drivers, aged between 17-24, killed or seriously injured. “Improving road safety is one of my department’s highest priorities,” she said. Full story

FISITA welcomes Thatcham Research as a Corporate Member

Thatcham Research has joined FISITA as a Corporate Member. FISITA iscommitted to promoting excellence in mobility engineering by cultivating international engagement and peer group collaboration within a pre-competitive environment, bringing businesses together to ensure mobility remains sustainable and accessible to all. Full story

Somerset Bridge extends alliance with AX as exclusive outsourced claims handling and repair management partner

Somerset Bridge Group has extended its partnership with AX Automotive three years after the accident management specialist gained exclusivity for its entire non-fault outsourced requirements. Delivering an innovative insurance provision focused on underwriting, broker and claims handling services, the partnership now incorporates its seamless provision of claims handling, vehicle rental, repair management and total loss expertise. Full story

New Generation in Claims survey – the story so far

ILC’s New Generation in Claims programme in collaboration with Consumer Intelligence and UCAS is ready to ‘go live’ with one of the largest surveys of its kind, focusing on early career perceptions of the insurance claims industry, in the coming weeks. Full story

Public warned misleading claims adverts could cost them thousands

The public must be vigilant when searching for their insurer online, warns the Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB), as it’s revealed that victims of paid ad spoofing scams could be facing up to £13,000 in unsolicited fees. Paid ad spoofing scams involve unscrupulous firms paying for search engine ads that mimic those of genuine insurers. Full story

Ten plead guilty to £320,000 ‘crash for cash’ fraud

An organised crime group that pocketed over £320,000 through a ‘crash for cash’ scheme have pleaded guilty to fraud charges. Raju Patel and Kamlesh Vadukul, the ringleaders of the group, submitted claims on insurance and to a vehicle repair finance service, for road traffic collisions that were deliberately induced or had never taken place. Full story

A study on real-world effectiveness of model year 2015–2023 ADAS

Automatic emergency braking (AEB) continues to improve as it cuts rear-end crashes in half. The latest study by the Partnership for Analytics Research in Traffic Safety (PARTS), pairing auto manufacturer equipment with police crash report data covering 98 million vehicles and 21.2 million crashes, is the largest and most comprehensive study of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) to date. Full story

Car owners can save more than £300 with one Aldi product

Whether it’s from a parking error or a roadside bump, denting a car can be a stressful and costly mistake with repairs costing drivers £335 on average. To help shoppers save on costly repairs, Aldi has announced it is launching its latest range of must-haves for motor repairs.

Among the new products, its £6.99 Dent Repair Kit has been developed to help drivers fix dents themselves. Full story

Cogent Hire has appointed Darren Entwistle as Business Development Director.

Harps Joseph has been named Head of Product at cinch.

Lookers has appointed former VW Group UK boss Alex Smith as new Chair.