Used car market hits record high
The UK used car market grew 108.6% in the second quarter of 2021, making it the best second quarter on record and one of the best quarters ever recorded.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported that 2,167,504 vehicles were sold between April and June, up 6.6% on 2019 pre-pandemic levels.
April alone was up a staggering 307.4% on the same month in 2020, and five per cent on 2019. The sales of plug-in vehicles also continued to grow, but AFVs represented just 1.3% of the used car market during the quarter.
Total loss numbers expected to surge
The numbers of total losses are expected to surge, according to the second Great British Motor Claims Survey published by ILC/ARC360.
Nearly eight out of 10 respondents (77%) predicted a rise in total losses, largely because of rising repair costs.
The report identified other contributing factors including a lack of aftermarket skills encouraging businesses to write vehicles off rather than risk repair errors, delays in parts supply and higher salvage values.
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North American market on upwards path
A new study has predicted that revenue from the North American automotive collision repair market will exceed $105bn by 2027.
The study, carried out by Graphical Research, found that growth will be driven partly by rising numbers of SUVs, BEVs and HEVs.
Light commercial vehicle numbers have also been steadily increasing in recent years and could continue to be a significant driver of growth, with vehicle manufacturers investing heavily in the development of new models.
Copart works with JCB on sustainable fleet
Copart will collaborate with JCB to develop new technology to improve efficiencies and reduce its carbon footprint.
This follows Copart’s significant purchase of JCB vehicle loaders last year, which brought its total owned logistics fleet to more than 400.
It hopes that by working with JCB on new builds it will enhance its ability to future-proof its fleet.
Jane Pocock, managing director of Copart, said, ‘We are committed to minimising environmental impact in everything we do, so we’re very excited about collaborating with JCB on orders for future vehicle loaders and exploring lower emission options including alternative fuels and renewable energy.’
New Enterprise rental site become UK’s largest
Enterprise has launched a new flagship rental and technology centre in Leeds, creating 12 new jobs including five graduate positions.
The £1.8m investment becomes the company’s largest rental site in the UK.
Meanwhile, the company’s technology division, Entegral, will also make the new Leeds location is headquarters, with most of its 55-strong workforce based there and further positions being created for software developers.
AFP calls for clarification around EV tax benefits
An industry body has called for greater clarification around benefit-in-kind taxation tables for electric vehicles to help businesses meet the 2030 deadline.
Information around benefit-in-kind tables has only been published until 2024/25, but the Association of Fleet Professionals has urged the government to release longer-term tables to support fleet managers introduce greener vehicles.
Paul Hollick, AFP chair, said, ‘What we very much want to avoid is a potential situation where the treasury suddenly realises the company car parc is 60% electric at some point in the mid-late 2020s, and push up benefit-in-kind substantially. Introducing benefit-in-kind tables up to 2030 would probably be the single best action they could undertake to aid EV take-up by fleets.’
Meanwhile, AFP has unveiled its first ever eLCV course for fleets transitioning to electrification. It consists of five modules: the eLCV ecosystem; vehicles; evaluation; total cost of ownership and operations; and future state.
Read more here
Used car sales predicted to top eight million
AutoTrader has revised up its 2021 forecast for used car sales, now predicting sales in excess of eight million during the year.
This comes after it saw the rate of price growth double in just three months, from 7.1% in April to 14.1% in July. July also represented the 16th consecutive month of growth.
Huge consumer demand has also seen sales times on forecourts reducing, from an average of 24 days in July compared to 29 days in the same month in 2019.
Kick off for Ben’s Fantasy Football League
Automotive charity Ben is inviting everyone in the industry to join its Fantasy Football League for a chance to win more than £1,000 in prizes.
The free-to-enter league has been launched ahead of the Premier League, which kicks off this weekend. The overall winner will receive £1,000, with the second and third place finishers winning £250 and £100 respectively. Cash prizes will also be offered to monthly winners and the most active Facebook contributor.
Repair volumes suffer July dip
New figures released by Audatex and Trend Tracker reported a double-digit drop in accident repair volumes during July, with the slowdown attributed to summer holidays and better weather.
This follows a June jump to 93% of 2019 levels.
However, Trend Tracker remains optimistic that repair volumes will return to about 85% of pre-pandemic levels by the end of the year.
AW Group commits to EV training
AW Repair Group has signed up its entire workforce to Thatcham Research’s new EV Ready training programme.
The mixed learning programme targets both technical and non-technical staff, covering topics such as EV technology identification, health and safety awareness for non-technical teams, and EV working voltages, components, tools, equipment and repair competence.
Dean Lander, head of repair sector services, Thatcham Research, said: “With more than one million electrified vehicles on UK roads, insurers and other work providers are looking for network capability. Our certified programme will help bodyshops protect their staff and build a future-ready business.”
UK EV manufacturer to develop bespoke last-mile models
A UK electric vehicle start-up has announced plans to manufacture next-generation commercial vehicles on a new platform that reduces weight and cost.
Watt Electric Vehicle Company (WEVC) plans to build between 5,000 and 10,000 vehicles a year from a new Midlands-based factory from late 2023.
The bespoke last-mile vans, trucks and buses will be developed on WEVC’s Passenger and Commercial EV Skateboard (PACES) platform, which has been under trial for more than two years.
Initial prototypes will be revealed at the end of the first quarter of 2022.
Save the date…
ARC360 – Back to the Future – sees a welcome return to physical events on Thursday 25 November at the British Motor Museum, Warwickshire.
Offering an event experience to remember – including plenty of exciting ARC360 initiatives – the day will focus on just what the past means for the future of the industry.
