ILC/ARC360 introduce Product Showcase events
ILC/ARC360 has launched its Product Showcase initiative with the inaugural event hosted in partnership with remote diagnostics specialists – asTech.
The event, hosted on Thursday 4 February, combined live links and demonstrations from the UK and USA to provide a fascinating insight into diagnostic management and how vehicle technology is truly impacting on the sector.
The session was co-hosted by Richard Taylor, European Business Development Director, asTech and subject matter expert, Jake Rodenroth, Director of OEM and Industry Technical Relations, asTech.
Repairer movements
Solus Accident Repair Centres has opened its new Nottingham site.
C&C Vehicle Services has opened the doors to its Northampton site.
City Centre Car Care has relocated to a new facility in Solihull, five miles from its previous site.
National committed to EV future
National Accident Repair Group (National) is working in partnership with Thatcham Research to offer its network a comprehensive training programme to make all staff ‘high voltage aware’.
Committed to ensuring its network can provide clients with UK coverage for EV repairs, National already has 183 locations with either IMI, City & Guilds level 3, or manufacturer qualifications for high voltage vehicle repairs.
Dean Lander, head of repair services at Thatcham Research, said, “It is great to see this commitment by National to develop a repair network with trained and qualified technicians that will ensure both the safety of technicians, and safe and effective repairs.”
ILC Motor Network Lunch raises over £20,000 for Rainbow Trust
The I Love Claims inaugural Virtual Motor Claims Networking Lunch has raised over £20,000 for the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity.
A combination of text donations, silent auction bids, major donations and teddy bear sales all contributed to the fundraising efforts of the ILC community.
Major donations came via: Carpenters Group; Copart; Enterprise; Innovation Group; and Tyne Tees Vehicle Repair Group.
Donations are still being accepted: to donate £5 text ILCDAY 5 to 70490; to donate £10 text ILCDAY 10 to 70490; or to donate £20 text ILCDAY 20 to 70490.
Enterprise adds 17 hydrogen cars to UK fleet
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has taken delivery of 17 Toyota hydrogen fuel cell electric cars as part of a number of initiatives to explore alternative fuels to deliver low and zero-emission transport.
The Toyota Mirai saloons will be used in a pilot programme by existing corporate customers in different parts of the country, by Enterprise Car Club members and by Enterprise employees.
The fuel cell on board the Toyota Mirai uses hydrogen to make electricity to power its motor. It has a driving range of around 300 miles on a tank of hydrogen fuel.
Copart UK unveils Customer Excellence Centre
Copart UK has opened the doors to its new Customer Excellence Centre in Bedford.
Copart’s Claims Settlement, Customer Support Centre, Vehicle Engineering and Operational Audit teams are now operating across three floors at Franklin Court, based in Priory Business Park, Bedford.
The opening of the Customer Excellence Centre also coincides with the appointment of former Head of Engineering at Markerstudy Insurance, Richard Howe who joins Copart as Head of Central Operations.
Consumers put trust in AI
More than three-quarters (76%) of consumers trust automotive claims driven entirely by Artificial Intelligence (AI) according to new research from Solera Holdings.
According to Solera’s survey, 72% of respondents cited confidence in an automated claims and repair journey. Findings also showed that two-thirds (67%) of consumers would switch insurers for a faster digital experience and 73% would choose an insurer using AI to process claims quicker.
More than three-quarters (78%) would favour a repair shop that provides more digital channels to quote, book, and track repairs.
Tesla officially introduces in-house collision repair programme
Tesla has officially started its in-house collision repair programme after gradually introducing a variety of services over the years.
Tesla has recently sent in-app notifications to owners to let them know that “collision repair is here.”
Alongside the already available small repairs such as “paint scuffs and scratches, minor dents as well as bumper, fender, door, side mirrors, and other bolt-on replacements” Tesla now offers repairs including suspension and axle damage; front and rear bumpers; hoods, liftgate and side mirror caps; along with doors, wheels and all glass repair.
Owners can schedule an appointment directly through the Tesla app.
UK new car market down -39.5% in January
The UK new car market fell -39.5% in January with 59,030 fewer registrations compared to the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Just 90,249 cars were registered as showrooms across the country remained shut, leading to the worst start to the year since 1970.
Meanwhile, the new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew by two per cent during January with 24,029 of the latest, low emission vehicles hitting UK roads as new models and deals drove fleet renewal.
