ARC360 News – Friday 4 August 2023

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.