Author: Aimee Turner
Recent data from the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) reveals a critical shortage of UK automotive technicians qualified to work on vehicles equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS). Despite 13% of vehicles now featuring ADAS technology, only 2% of technicians – just 4,425 individuals – are trained and IMI TechSafe registered to service and repair these systems. “The proportion of ADAS-equipped vehicles has grown from 11% in January 2024 to 13% in July, yet there has not been an identical increase within the proportion of ADAS-trained technicians,” said Kevin Finn, executive chair of the IMI. “Because the adoption…
Bristol Street Motors Orpington Ford has undergone a significant transformation, shifting its focus exclusively to business vehicles following extensive refurbishment. Previously a dealership for each recent and used cars and vans, it’s now fully dedicated to meeting the rising demand for business vehicles. The grand reopening of the revamped facility took place on September 12, with local businesses and the community invited to explore the brand new offerings. Over the past five years, the dealership has seen a pointy increase in demand for business vehicle maintenance and repairs. In response, it has expanded its after-sales service capability by 300%, an…
Independent dealer group Glyn Hopkin has appointed Tim Murphy as chief operations officer (COO). Murphy has previously served as Audi and JLR franchise director at Marshall’s and as group operations director and executive board member for the Motorline Group. Fraser Cohen, CEO of Glyn Hopkin, said: “Tim’s extensive industry experience and proven track record shall be invaluable as we proceed to expand and strengthen our operations. His knowledge of working with multiple manufacturers will greatly profit the group.” In his latest position, Murphy will oversee all Nissan, MG, Kia, Renault, Dacia, Alpine, and Suzuki dealerships, specializing in each sales and…
Three men involved in running a fraudulent luxury automotive dealership which conned customers of £720,000, have walked free from court.The fraudulent business Mansori Cars, operated out of Warrington’s Birchwood Park and targeted dozens of customers by selling high-end vehicles without informing them or handing over the proceeds.Many victims only discovered their cars had been sold when the DVLA notified them of ownership changes.The three defendants – Paul Roche, Basil Osman, and Mohammed Fiaz – each played a task within the fraudulent enterprise, led by Shahnawaz Fiaz, who stays at large.During sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on September 4, it was heard that 41…
The finalists for The Mix Awards 2024 have been announced ahead of The Mix’s annual conference and networking event for independent garage owners, set to happen later this month. The event will probably be held at The Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on September 28, featuring a prestigious awards ceremony following a day filled with business insights from industry leaders, influencers, and innovators. For the primary time, The Mix’s coveted Garage of the 12 months Award has been divided into three subcategories, ensuring that garages of all sizes across the UK and Ireland have an equal opportunity. “The standard of entries…
Recent research from CA Auto Finance reveals that 73% of UK drivers say the rising cost of living or increasing vehicle prices will influence how they approach purchasing their next automotive. The findings come as recent automotive registrations are released for September. Moreover, 42% of drivers expressed concerns about making monthly payments on their automotive finance agreements. Amongst those impacted by financial pressures, nearly half (47%) said they plan to search for more deals, signalling that automotive makers and dealerships should offer attractive promotions in the course of the upcoming Autumn trading period. The study, commissioned by CA Auto Finance,…
Vertu Motors has reported strong performance in its used automobile and aftersales segments, despite a challenged latest automobile environment. The dealership group, which operates 192 sales and aftersales outlets nationwide, provided a trading update for the five months ending 31 July, ahead of its interim results expected in October. Vertu said it anticipates that its full-year FY25 adjusted profit before tax can be according to market expectations although profits for the primary half of the yr are expected to be lower than the previous yr, The anticipated improvement within the second half can be driven by a stronger used automobile market and…
A serious fire at Day’s Motorpark in Gorseinon, Swansea, has destroyed or damaged greater than 20 vehicles, including motorhomes, vans, and cars. The blaze broke out on Thursday August 29 on the dealership situated on Swansea Road, prompting a large-scale emergency response. The hearth, which is believed to have began by accident, sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky, with dramatic images capturing the enormous dinosaur model on the dealership’s forecourt engulfed in smoke. Firefighters were called to the scene at around 2:15pm, deploying five fire engines and a specialist appliance to combat the flames. A 25-year-old man sustained injuries…
Start-up Jigcar has accomplished a £750,000 pre-seed funding round. Founded by three former members of Cazoo, Jigcar goals to rework the logistics operations of multi-site automobile dealer groups by optimising stock turnover, reducing costs, and improving customer experience Despite its January entry into the market, the corporate said it has already gained traction among the many top 50 UK dealers, including partnerships with well-known franchise groups similar to Glyn Hopkin, Steven Eagell, and Perrys Motor Group. The startup’s platform uses AI to administer and optimise logistics across all sites, internal drivers, trucks, and third-party logistics providers. This technology, accessible via…
Simon King of Autotech Recruit discusses the challenges the industry is facing when recruiting, how these issues could be overcome through applying latest methods and technology to draw talent The automotive industry skills shortage has been exacerbated by a scarcity of young talent entering the sector, an ageing workforce, and an increasingly green agenda driving up the number of other fuelled vehicles onto UK roads. To realize and retain latest talent today, automotive employers must exhaust the channels available to them and be open to latest recruitment strategies in a bid to achieve a wider audience. For the automotive industry,…
