ABP Club Car Body Repair News - April 2020

Below is a news headline summary. The full bodyshop news stories appear on the ABP Club members' forum.

30/4/20 - 13:59		Honda - all new Jazz includes ACE (Advanced Compatibility Engineering) body structure technology and front centre airbag technology

30/4/20 - 13:53		MoneySuperMarket - av fully comprehensive policy costs up year-on-year from £480 to £485 in Q1 2020

30/4/20 - 13:45		Nissan - production at Sunderland plant suspension to continue throughout May; phased resumption of production planned for early June

30/4/20 - 13:38		ABP Club Recommended Business Service Provider: ECA Business Energy - huge savings in future energy costs available now.

30/4/20 - 13:32		Seat UK - over half of motorists drive more carefully with their dogs on board

30/4/20 - 13:30		Euro Car Parts (ECP) - London, Sheffield and Hastings branches support Covid-19 relief efforts

30/4/20 - 13:24		AXA - sign C-19 Business Pledge along with another 250 other companies globally

30/4/20 - 11:28		Ben - advice (including link to online support) tools to help you manage your money & prepare for the next few months

30/4/20 - 10:56		Autoglass - donates 2,000 protective masks to local care homes

30/4/20 - 10:26		Smart Business Link - offer cashflow support to bodyshops inc short-term working capital to support furlough payments until Gov funding

30/4/20 - 10:12		SMMT - UK car production falls -37.6% in March; £8.2bn cost to industry if factories closed until mid-May

30/4/20 - 09:51		GlobalData - Admiral’s plan to refund policyholders will set precedent

30/4/20 - 09:51		Norton Motorcycles - acquired for £16 million from administrator by TVS Motor Company, the third largest 2-wheeler manufacturer in India

30/4/20 - 09:34		Monday's vehicle traffic at highest weekday level since lockdown began

30/4/20 - 09:23		Thatcham Research - advice to drivers on the 5 speeding risks to be aware of when driving during lockdown

30/4/20 - 00:59		Vertu - bring back 1,000 staff from furlough as 90% of their dealers are open for service; 1,816 future service bookings made on Monday

29/4/20 - 16:36		BMW - issue brief details and disguised photos of new 4-series; features aluminium bonnet, front wings, doors and front suspension towers

29/4/20 - 15:00		Total Loss Settlement Services (TLSS) - David Patten, founder and managing director, announces his departure

29/4/20 - 14:10		Volvo Cars - cuts 1,300 white-collar positions in its Swedish operations plus review and reduction of consultancy contracts

29/4/20 - 13:52		Audi - drops plans to introduce its level-3 eyes-off autonomous driving technology (called Traffic Jam Pilot) on current A8 model

29/4/20 - 13:46		JATO - worldwide vehicle sales fell by 39% in March to 5.5m; Europe hardest hit with 52% fall in March; worldwide Q1 sales down 26% to 17.4m

29/4/20 - 13:25		ABP Club Recommended Business Service Provider: ECA Business Energy - Need to recover cash in your bodyshop? – Historic Energy Audits

29/4/20 - 13:22		Ford Motor Company - will begin reopening its European plants on 4 May after implementing new protections for workers

29/4/20 - 12:39		Bentley - 250 new hygiene and social distancing processes in place for team ahead of phased return to work on 11 May

28/4/20 - 14:01		British Insurance Awards (aka Post mag awards) - shortlist for the 27 awards announced; ceremony postponed to 6 Oct at Battersea Evolution

28/4/20 - 13:57		CBI - motor traders report rapid fall in sales in the year to April (balance of -100% in April, from -15% in March)

28/4/20 - 13:40		Bentley - to supply Cheshire care sector, NHS and other local community services with over 30,000 3D printed face-shields

28/4/20 - 13:35		FCA - restarts production at Sevel plant in Atessa, Italy

28/4/20 - 12:40		ŠKODA Auto - resumes production at its Czech plants

28/4/20 - 12:38		Ducati - production at Italian factory restarts

28/4/20 - 12:27		83% EV users still reliant on their EV for essential travel and almost 3/10 still using the public charging network

28/4/20 - 12:22		Kwik Fit - free tyres competition for local "NHS and emergency services heroes"

28/4/20 - 11:09		Spies Hecker - 5 steps every bodyshop can take to improve their environmental sustainability

28/4/20 - 11:00		Polestar 2 - first fully electric vehicle to be crash tested

28/4/20 - 10:42		Excel Automotive Group (EAG) - 73% spike in the total number of orders placed via B2B e-commerce solution portal

28/4/20 - 10:29		ABP Club Recommended Business Service Provider: ECA Business Energy - Have you closed your bodyshop down correctly?

28/4/20 - 09:40		Government - traffic volumes for all motor vehicles in UK is at its highest level since before lockdown was announced

28/4/20 - 09:15		BTCC (British Touring Car Championship) - issue revised provisional 2020 calendar; 9 events, 27 races; staring 1 Aug and ending 15 Nov

28/4/20 - 09:02		Government - launch new FREE online platform - The Skills Toolkit - to help people build their skills during the coronavirus outbreak

27/4/20 - 21:07		Ireland - Allianz, Axa, FBD, RSA and Zurich bow to government pressure and have agreed to offer refunds to customers due lockdown

27/4/20 - 16:41		Government - new 100% government backed loan scheme (£2,000 to £50,000) for small businesses available from Monday; no interest in year 1

27/4/20 - 16:01		NBRA - publish a "Guide to Suggested Temporary Corona-19 Charges"; adds £410 on an average job

27/4/20 - 15:22		Great 2 minute video showing how car factories in Europe have adapted allowing production to resume whilst still observing social distancing

27/4/20 - 14:15		KVF Consultants & Canopy Safety - useful info for members: template for social distancing & hygiene risk assessment

27/4/20 - 13:58		Plunkys All Stars 2020 (19 May 2020) - how you can help now the match has had to be postponed

27/4/20 - 13:42		SUD union - urges staff at Renault’s Flins plant not to return before 11 May

27/4/20 - 13:07		Axalta - Voltatex electrical insulating resins used in ventilators and devices producing n95 facemasks in fight against coronavirus

27/4/20 - 12:58		Slippery roads, spray and dazzling sun were contributory factors for almost 9,000 reported vehicle accidents in one year

27/4/20 - 11:46		WorldSkills UK - monitoring coronavirus developments

27/4/20 - 11:34		TRL - 1% increase in av speed can mean 3% increase in serious injury crashes & 4% increase in fatal crashes

27/4/20 - 11:24		Transport Committee - invites contributions on impact of coronavirus on UK transport

27/4/20 - 11:17		Valeo - 2020 Q1 sales down 8%

27/4/20 - 10:40		Treasury Committee - urges insurers to be "clear and fair" with coronavirus claimants

27/4/20 - 10:34		comparethemarket.com - furloughed staff could be £500 worse off this pay day

27/4/20 - 10:14		ACEA - impact of COVID-19 on UK: 65,455 employees affected and production lost amounts to 167,144

27/4/20 - 10:13		Formula 1 - no fans will be allowed at this year's Silverstone Grand Prix

27/4/20 - 10:04		Formula 1 - season to start on 5 July in Austria, followed by Silverstone on 19 July, ending in Abu Dhabi in Dec; "early races without fans"

27/4/20 - 09:45		Government - PM says they cannot yet spell out how changes to the lockdown policy will be implemented - or how quickly

27/4/20 - 07:38		Admiral - suspends special dividend in light of regulatory guidance, but still pays normal dividend; no staff have been furloughed

25/4/20 - 09:39		ABI - insurers estimate £1.2 billion payout to UK customers due to Covid-19 inc £900m business interruption claims and £275m travel claims

24/4/20 - 14:13		USA: Driven Brands - today officially announces its acquisition of Fix Auto USA

24/4/20 - 13:59		Tractable - donate $25,000 (£20,000) to Ben "to do something to help those in need within our industry"

24/4/20 - 13:59		Advantage Parts Solutions - 7% of Advantage's dealer clients reopened for supply last week

24/4/20 - 13:44		Fiat Chrysler Automobiles UK (FCA UK) - offers car@home service to dealers

24/4/20 - 13:35		FCA - implement a "3-month payment freeze to customers who are having difficulties meeting finance or leasing payments due to coronavirus"

24/4/20 - 12:43		Jaguar Land Rover - additional information with regards to parts supply information to support essential repairs to key worker vehicles

24/4/20 - 11:56		Pilkington Automotive - advanced OEM-quality glass tech distribution and service to repairers

24/4/20 - 11:44		Euro Car Parts - Aldershot branch supports local community’s nurseries and residential homes for the elderly

24/4/20 - 11:41		Markerstudy - announces new senior management team appointments

24/4/20 - 11:19		Total Composite Solutions (TCS) - Ramsol Sanitiser Disinfectant Spray with 10% profit donated

24/4/20 - 11:03		RAC on "lockdown speeders" - more drivers seen breaking the limit

24/4/20 - 10:54		Aston Martin - new car warranties extended (end of June) & service interval requirements relaxed during Covid-19 lockdowns worldwide

24/4/20 - 10:27		Volkswagen Group - supports its 40,000 suppliers with instructions for protective measures in production

24/4/20 - 09:39		WNS - "non-recurring impairment charge of $4.1m relating to the remaining goodwill balance of the WNS Auto Claims business"

24/4/20 - 09:28		AGL - looks ahead with transition plan that includes Gumball Rally in April, a major insurance and fleet charity fundraiser

24/4/20 - 08:10		Lookers - trading update: fraud investigation found £4m of misrepresented debtor balances from bonus receivables and expenses frauds

24/4/20 - 07:59		Hastings - chairman (and former CEO) Gary Hoffman to step down next month; Tom Colraine becomes interim chairman

23/4/20 - 16:20		Government - companies under strain will be protected from aggressive rent collection and asked to pay what they can during the coronavirus

23/4/20 - 14:33		Jaguar Land Rover - plans to gradually resume production in UK from Monday 18 May

23/4/20 - 14:11		LEVC - Coventry-based maker of the London electric taxi, owned by Chinese firm Geely, halts supplier payments for "at least a month"

23/4/20 - 14:00		McLaren Automotive - carbon fibre body structures and components will remain a primary enabler in delivering superlight supercars

23/4/20 - 13:56		HMG Paints - utilises its manufacturing knowledge to produce "First Thing Sanitiser" (70% alcohol); priority is essential services

23/4/20 - 12:07		Fix Auto Daventry - loan courtesy car to a community COVID-19 volunteer after her vehicle was vandalised

23/4/20 - 11:46		Car-O-Liner - Tesla approved five Car-O-Liner welders

23/4/20 - 11:40		UK Finance - £2.8 billion provided to SMEs through coronavirus lending scheme

23/4/20 - 11:18		67.8% motor trade (inc repair) reported turnover was "substantially lower than normal" (23 March to 9 April 2020)

23/4/20 - 11:00		Office for National Statistics (ONS) - 27% motor repair trade paused or temp closed, 73% continuing to trade (23 March to 9 April 2020)

23/4/20 - 10:20		Copart - invest in 42 JCB loaders with plans to double this number to support further customer demand into 2021

23/4/20 - 09:01		USA: Mondofix (Fix Network World) "disappointed and alarmed" to read the announcement that Driven Brands has acquired Fix Auto USA

23/4/20 - 08:27		Aston Martin - majority of workforce are furloughed; factory in St Athans which makes new DBX to reopen on 5 May

23/4/20 - 01:07		Government- BEIS confirms that car dealerships CAN sell cars online and deliver them during the lockdown.

22/4/20 - 14:42		Vizion - Chris McKie says notifications have picked up slightly, now down 68% from a peak of 75%; advises shops to plan for end of lockdown

22/4/20 - 13:54		Auto-Motivate - offering free of charge Mindset Booster Sessions for bodyshops owners and their staff

22/4/20 - 13:50		PARTS SUPPLY UPDATE: TOYOTA (GB) - from Monday 27 April will move a step closer to a "normalised" parts distribution

22/4/20 - 13:47		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - you need to apply today (WEDS 22 APRIL) for payment before the month end

22/4/20 - 13:46		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - you need to apply today (Weds 22‌‌ April) for payment before the month end

22/4/20 - 13:42		Auto Trader - 56% of UK driving licence holders who don’t currently own a vehicle, now considering one post-lockdown

22/4/20 - 13:27		Ben - advice (including link to online support) that you can send to your team to help tackle stress

22/4/20 - 12:28		SMMT - Birmingham has the second highest number of battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles after Greater London

22/4/20 - 12:24		Final details of Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan

22/4/20 - 11:59		REPOST from the Forum: "What help do repairers need?

22/4/20 - 11:50		AX - vehicle thefts surge by 21% in three years

22/4/20 - 11:42		Prasco UK - open for business and pay tribute to staff who have “gone above and beyond the call of duty”

22/4/20 - 11:41		Euro NCAP - mobilizes four new partners (DEKRA, GDV (UDV), OAMTC and TCS) to promote safer and cleaner mobility in Europe

22/4/20 - 11:28		Tracker - protects young drivers with self-install insurance telematics solution

22/4/20 - 10:43		comparethemarket - average motor premium in March 2020 fell by 3.1% to £712 from February's £735; year-on-year premiums up 3.3%

22/4/20 - 10:05		RAC - in theory petrol prices could fall below £1 per litre if lower wholesale costs were reflected at the pumps..

22/4/20 - 09:41		Fix Auto UK - secures Government grants and business rates relief of over £860,000 for their franchisees to help safeguard their businesses

22/4/20 - 09:33		Halo - announce decision to top-up their furloughed staff to 100% of their salaries

22/4/20 - 09:19		Thatcham - lockdown should not bring a premature end to auto apprenticeship ‘learner journeys’

22/4/20 - 08:53		Inflation rate - CPI down slightly to 1.5% for the 12 months to Mch 2020 (pre-coronavirus lockdown); RPI up slightly to 2.6%

22/4/20 - 08:41		NBRA - publish letter to Work Providers calling for temporary improved Covid-19 terms; c£400 per job OR GTA rates OR direct cash injection

22/4/20 - 02:22		Government - average salary for February (pre-coronavirus) was £26,674 (EXC bonuses), up 2.9% on 12 months ago; £28,449 INC bonuses, up 2.8%

22/4/20 - 02:09		Government - labour market data for February (pre-coronavirus); record high employment level at 76.6%; unemployment just 4.0%

22/4/20 - 01:27		ABI - comment on decision of Ministry of Justice to delay Whiplash Reform Programme

22/4/20 - 01:25		Whiplash Reform Programme - further delayed until April 2021; "Government remains firmly committed to implementing these measures"

21/4/20 - 14:03		Mirka - launches first global Automated Industrial Programme to enable advanced robotic surface finish solution for industrial customers

21/4/20 - 12:15		2020 Fix Auto UK National Conference - rescheduled for March 2021

21/4/20 - 12:09		ŠKODA - Parts Center in Mladá Boleslav operating in three shifts to supply more than 94 countries with genuine parts

21/4/20 - 12:00		BVRLA - FCA and government must work together to support motor finance customers

21/4/20 - 11:46		Fix Auto Lichfield - repair 18 ambulance vehicles in April for the West Midlands Ambulance Service

21/4/20 - 11:40		Most popular car on the road is a black, 8-year old supermini – most likely a Ford Fiesta (1.61m) or a Vauxhall Corsa (1.16m)

21/4/20 - 11:17		Admiral - confirms return of £110m via automatic £25 refund to all motor customers

21/4/20 - 11:05		IMI - Steve Nash, IMI CEO: up to an 84% downturn in aftermarket business

21/4/20 - 10:53		SYNETIQ - opens new location in Central London making it the only business in its industry with a site in Central London

21/4/20 - 10:44		SMMT - 40.4 million cars, vans, trucks & buses registered in the UK; 19% new cars joining UK roads in 2019 were ultra-low/zero emission

21/4/20 - 10:23		SMMT - record 40 million vehicles on UK roads

21/4/20 - 10:18		OEC’s OEM Parts Sourcing Support - team available to help bodyshops locate and deliver OEM parts, nationwide

21/4/20 - 08:39		Goco Group (Go Compare) - Q1 Covid-19 update: "strong trading performance"; "Board remains confident of long-term group strategy"

20/4/20 - 17:50		AutoFlow - managing director, Chris Yates, announces COVID-19 Stimulus Initiatives for customers including cancellation of May's price rise

20/4/20 - 17:37		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - in first 8 hours over 140,000 firms applied for the grant to help pay wages of over 1 million people

20/4/20 - 14:27		JTAPE - change our production lines to produce disposable face shields

20/4/20 - 14:20		XL Motors in the latest issue of Auto Body Professional magazine

20/4/20 - 14:13		AutoVista Group article - electric vehicles produce a third less CO2 across their lifetime

20/4/20 - 14:08		Defaqto - maximum amount bikes can be insured for has increased to an average of £14,550

20/4/20 - 14:02		Cuvva Insurance - CEO says UK motor insurers will get a £1 billion windfall over a 3-month lockdown if claims fall 50%

20/4/20 - 13:50		PwC - makes made its Digital Fitness App available to download for free (library of resources for professional and personal well-being)

20/4/20 - 12:31		ABP Club Recommended Business Service Provider, InAutomotive - now's the time to "successfully stockpile CVs" with CV Discovery

20/4/20 - 11:53		NAHL Group - COVID-19 update: "board remains confident in the Group's ability to emerge from this period as a sustainable business"

20/4/20 - 11:46		Aston Martin - statement from new Executive Chairman, Lawrence Stroll; most pressing objective is to start production of the DBX (new SUV)

20/4/20 - 11:25		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - claim portal now open and available 24/7; claim by Wednesday and get the money in your bank by 30 April

20/4/20 - 11:01		Vauxhall - Ellesmere Port factory - "Home of the Astra" - begins preparations to re-start production

20/4/20 - 10:54		Confused.com - car insurance index shows average price over last 12 months up 6% to £809, but down 1% in last quarter

20/4/20 - 10:34		Fix Auto Lichfield - supporting their local NHS with 18 ambulance vehicles repaired on site in April for West Midlands Ambulance Service

20/4/20 - 10:26		Interflex 2000 in Nottinghamshire - automotive manufacturer offers factory for Covid-19 equipment use

20/4/20 - 10:16		Thorpe Garage - Staines-based garage offering to carry out essential repairs on NHS/key workers' vehicles with FOC labour

20/4/20 - 09:54		Cnina - car sales have rebounded with dealers surprised at how quickly consumers have returned to showrooms says Bloomberg

20/4/20 - 09:54		Markerstudy - Vision providing replacement vehicles to Markerstudy policyholders to fill shortage of courtesy cars

20/4/20 - 09:37		European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) - publishes guidelines for re-launch of EU auto industry

20/4/20 - 09:20		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - goes live; full details and links to calculate and make your claim; payment within 6 working days

20/4/20 - 02:58		USA: claims-automation provider Snapsheet - March motor insurance claim count may be the lowest in 50 years

20/4/20 - 02:55		USA: Insurance Information Institute - US motor insurers will be giving customer refunds, discounts, dividends and credits totalling $10.5bn

20/4/20 - 02:43		Axa - TV programme finds thousands of Axa write-offs failed to be recorded on MIAFTR due to an IT problem

20/4/20 - 02:27		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - updated information published over weekend plus how to calculate what you can claim

20/4/20 - 02:19		Ireland - Minister of Finance says fall in claims due to coronavirus “provides a strong case for some type of refund" on motor insurance

18/4/20 - 10:23		Furoughing - government extends Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme extended by one month to end of June; full official details

17/4/20 - 18:40		USA - Progressive Insurance gifts $2.5 million to its 2,000 Network bodyshops "to be used for any purpose at the shop's discretion"

17/4/20 - 14:12		Covea - 2019 results: £3.7m profit on £780m of premium; "high levels of motor claims inflation" including "higher repair costs"

17/4/20 - 13:57		Car manufacturers - some are slowly and cautiously resuming production in Europe including Volvo, VW, Toyota, Hyundai and Ferrari

17/4/20 - 13:54		Business Cost Reduction Associates - What Insurance is needed during closure or to cover reduced business hours?

17/4/20 - 13:40		Impression Communications - over 60% of "garages" have closed as have 25% of factors; demand for product down by up to 85%

17/4/20 - 13:24		Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - HMRC confirm the portal will go live on Monday with first payments made 10 days later; full details

17/4/20 - 11:41		Auto Windscreens vans and Markerstudy volunteers - help vulnerable people in Kent

17/4/20 - 11:38		ABP Club Training Hub with Peritus - free ‘working from home’ employee engagement survey

17/4/20 - 11:36		Euro Car Parts - Crawley branch donate 200 Easter eggs to doctors, nurses and other key workers at East Surrey Hospital

17/4/20 - 11:31		ACEA - EU passenger car registrations down -25.6% first quarter of 2020; -55.1% in March

17/4/20 - 11:25		ENGIE - GeniePoint network offer free charging for key workers during Covid-19 crisis

17/4/20 - 11:22		RAC - third of drivers say having access to a car is more important during the coronavirus pandemic

17/4/20 - 10:56		EDAM Group - invests in LexisNexis' process automation platform, Visualfiles

17/4/20 - 10:46		Society of Claims Professionals (CII) - interesting article: "Keeping insurance in business"

17/4/20 - 10:26		FCA - temporary measures to help cover motor finance agreements

17/4/20 - 09:56		Thatcham Research - "determined to see automotive industry bounce back from crisis and return to normality in a swift, seamless & safe way"

17/4/20 - 09:46		Markerstudy - recognised by Celent as a ‘Model Insurer’

16/4/20 - 14:17		Accident Credit Group (ACG) - offers 24hr repair invoice funding to vehicle repairers

16/4/20 - 14:14		BASF - donates more than 100M protective masks & production capability for 1M litres of disinfectant for FOC supplies to healthcare

16/4/20 - 14:06		Tracker - keyless van theft increases in 2019; 92% of the stolen LCVs it recovered were taken without the owner’s keys

16/4/20 - 12:27		The Floow - Karshare release Karmate App to help mobilise COVID-19 Workers

16/4/20 - 10:46		ABP Club Training Hub & Improve Online - FREE SME course for remote workers for Club Members

16/4/20 - 10:27		DuPont - new specialized Tyvek fabric to boost PPE production to 15 million garments a month

16/4/20 - 09:56		AA - Bank of Ireland and AA extend partnership (90,000 customers & balance sheet of c£700m) until 2028

16/4/20 - 09:48		British Insurance Awards from Post mag - postponed from 8 July at the Royal Albert Hall, to Tues 6 Oct at the Battersea Evolution

15/4/20 - 22:45		Thatcham - sad news that Barry Hodgetts (Group Rating Coordinator) has passed away following his long fight with cancer

15/4/20 - 15:38		Wales - the population in Wales is "more vulnerable to coronavirus"

15/4/20 - 14:22		Mazda UK - launches new remote photo-based accident damage repair quotation service

15/4/20 - 13:41		Vauxhall - dealers offer "Fixed Price (mechanical) Repairs" with two levels of service: "Vauxhall Genuine" and "Vauxhall Approved"

15/4/20 - 13:25		FCA - letter to insurers telling them to quickly pay valid claims under business interruption insurance

15/4/20 - 13:01		ABP Club Recommended Business Service Provider: ECA Business Energy team - offer repairers COVID-19 Advice and Support

15/4/20 - 12:56		Apple - makes mobility data available to aid COVID-19 efforts

15/4/20 - 12:50		What Car? - reveals the least (BMW’s iDrive system) and most distracting (G’s 8.0-in touchscreen) infotainment systems

15/4/20 - 12:42		AA - review of more than 15,000 daily cars journeys reveals 60% drop (weekdays) and near 80% drop on Sundays

15/4/20 - 12:21		PPG - commits more than $1.5M (£1.2M) to support global COVID-19 relief efforts

15/4/20 - 12:13		Drivers struggling with car finance payments told to expect help this week - FCA

15/4/20 - 11:48		Auto Shield - "thinking ahead when we return to work"

15/4/20 - 11:43		Driving for Better Business and Fleet News - COVID-19 webinar tomorrow (Thurs 16 April @ 2pm)

15/4/20 - 10:54		The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) - more than 500 "left-out" business owners contact email hotline

15/4/20 - 10:43		SEAT - adapting to Covid-19 lockdown by offering ‘virtual tours’ from staff driveways

15/4/20 - 10:36		Lotus Evija - all-electric two-seater hypercar where customers buy using advanced gaming software configurator

15/4/20 - 09:05		bodyshop magazine - temporarily halt production of the printed version; will only be available on-line for next 3 issues: May, June and July

15/4/20 - 08:52		Hastings - Q1 trading update: "claims transformation programme has made ongoing progress on 3rd party repair costs and claims income"

14/4/20 - 17:42		Coronavirus Job Rentention Scheme - "portal should open on or around Mon 20 April"; will take a "period of several days" to get the money

14/4/20 - 16:08		Write-off - interesting story in Autocar about retired teacher who didn't want her car written-off, so she took on the insurer ...and won!

14/4/20 - 15:31		Insurance fraud - Dr Asef Zafar, who made £350,000 a year by writing fraudulent personal injury reports has been struck off

14/4/20 - 14:18		OBR - UK economy could shrink by 35% (April-June)

14/4/20 - 14:14		Former chair of ABI to lead flood insurance review

14/4/20 - 13:41		Repairer member request for help: finance houses still charging full cost for courtesy cars

14/4/20 - 13:06		Smart Business Link - offer cashflow support to bodyshops inc short-term working capital to support furlough payments until Gov funding

14/4/20 - 12:53		SYNETIQ and AGL - partner up to drive green parts supply with SYNETIQ exclusively handling AGL’s total loss salvage

14/4/20 - 12:48		Axalta - donating PPE and hand sanitiser to hospitals

14/4/20 - 11:11		Met Police - 151mph speeding driver on M1 near London

14/4/20 - 10:57		honcho - Durham-based insurtech disruptor (reverse auction marketplace for motor insurance) closes £1.2m investment round

14/4/20 - 10:43		AkzoNobel - global SOS Children’s Villages partnership helps 20,000 children and young people

14/4/20 - 10:40		Solera Audatex UK - launches free online portal to identify operational repairer sites

14/4/20 - 10:26		Porsche - pays €9,700 (£8,450) voluntary employee bonus for "very successful" 2019 financial year

13/4/20 - 20:49		France - extends strict nationwide lockdown until Mon 11 May; they began their lockdown on 17 March, 6 days before UK's began on 23 March

11/4/20 - 23:47		Which? - exposes serious security flaws with 2 new ‘connected’ cars - VW Polo and Ford Focus; no regulations exist for car cybersecurity

11/4/20 - 22:02		insurethebox - "the miles driven by our customers reduced by 69% between 1st March and 31st March 2020"

11/4/20 - 20:54		USA - corononavirus: top 5 motor insurers have all announced credits against premiums as a response to reduced driving due to lockdowns

11/4/20 - 14:57		ABI - warns people to be on their guard against scammers looking to cash in on the financial hardship that Coronavirus is causing

11/4/20 - 14:24		Coplus - brings help to repairs through Cobalt launch of Covid-19 parts sourcing solution

11/4/20 - 14:19		Aviva - announces donation to NHS Charities Together as part of package of Covid-19 support; also offer deferred payments for policyholders

10/4/20 - 21:18		Coronavirus - Ireland extends their lockdown to Tues 5 May; Italy extends their lock-down to Sun 3 May

09/4/20 - 20:34		Solera - hosting a 40-minute COVID-19 global webinar next week (Wednesday at 2:30pm)

09/4/20 - 20:19		Cambridge ARC - thank Morelli and Total Concept Paints Chichester for helping the bodyshop donate PPE to key workers

09/4/20 - 14:25		Vizion - start planning for exit from lock-down, whenever that happens; 10 key considerations for the industry when it returns

09/4/20 - 14:18		Front line NHS, Blue Light, MOD and care worker staff are in desperate need of help and PPE

09/4/20 - 14:16		esure - 2019 results: £3.3m profit compared to £15.4m loss in 2018; motor trading profit £63.5m, up from £15.2m in 2018

09/4/20 - 13:31		Ezi Methods - bodyshops forced to close during the Coronavirus pandemic will have their subscriptions extended

09/4/20 - 13:24		ABP Club Training Hub with Peritus - free ‘working from home’ employee engagement survey

09/4/20 - 12:53		Claims Media article: Willis Towers Watson & Solera - what the lockdown means for the motor repair, insurance and claims industry

09/4/20 - 11:36		OECD - provisional data point to significant rise in unemployment due to the COVID-19 shock

09/4/20 - 11:35		Post magazine - motor webcast: "falling motor claims frequencies may mean insurers reconsider what they’re charging policyholders"

09/4/20 - 11:30		The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - confirms temporary financial relief for customers impacted by coronavirus

09/4/20 - 10:50		Axalta’s Spies Hecker and Standox - become two of Kia Motors (UK) bodyshop network preferred paint partners

09/4/20 - 10:29		LKQ Europe - positioned for continued growth after the crisis; security of supply chain "guaranteed by ability to deliver"

09/4/20 - 10:21		Fixter - introduces vehicle sanitisation service for customers

09/4/20 - 10:03		LKQ Europe - positioned for continued growth after the coronavirus crisis

09/4/20 - 09:57		PPG - main board elect to reduce their base salaries until end September by at least 25% in response to the impact of COVID-19

08/4/20 - 22:27		Post Magazine Claims awards - postponed from 17 June to join up with Fraud awards on 1 October, the same date as Ins Times Claims awards

08/4/20 - 14:43		Vizion and Audatex - announce series of COVID-19 stimulus initiatives to support repairers, supported by 7 major insurers

08/4/20 - 14:21		AXIOM accident repair centres - The TDN Group invests more than £1m in new bodyshop group

08/4/20 - 14:14		Auto Trader - used car like-for-like prices for March remain flat at -0.2%

08/4/20 - 14:10		KVF Consultants - providing remote H&S advice on the phone and by email, & using Zoom to speak to partners and customers

08/4/20 - 14:06		NFU Mutual - extends contract with SYNETIQ for two years

08/4/20 - 13:58		GoCompare Car Insurance study - 4.7 million drivers caught out by the auto-renewal trap costing motorists £1.2bn a year in higher premiums

08/4/20 - 13:53		Speeding - increase in high-speed offences (up to 132mph)due to quiet roads during lock-down; "lower-level" speeding offenders being let-off

08/4/20 - 13:14		SYNETIQ - launch online Live Chat facility to help repairers find matching vehicle parts

08/4/20 - 13:10		IMI - clarification of 6-month extension to accreditations (ATAs) announced on 14 March; applies to those expiring 1 March to 30 June 2020

08/4/20 - 13:09		insurethebox - ‘Critical Workers’ are allowed to still take their practical and theory driving test(s)

08/4/20 - 12:58		What Car? - waiting times for latest EVs expected to be the same as petrol and diesel cars post-coronavirus crisis

08/4/20 - 11:45		Rhodes Accident Repair Group (PJ Rhodes) - donate 200 PPE kits to West Midlands Ambulance Service

08/4/20 - 11:32		Circle Leasing - put together a set of FAQs to help bodyshop customers

08/4/20 - 11:17		ThingCo - solar power is set to energise connected car services from insurers

08/4/20 - 11:17		Pendragon - coronavirus impact: pay cuts of 10% to 20% for management and board members

08/4/20 - 11:12		Aston Martin - welcome back Vikram Bhatia as the company's Interim Chief Financial Officer

08/4/20 - 09:44		Nottingham College’s EMTEC Centre - automotive college donates PPE to local hospitals

08/4/20 - 09:21		MG Cannon's HR Team - share handy guide with advice and tips to help you look after the wellbeing of you and your family at home

08/4/20 - 09:16		RSA - coronavirus update: currently "not possible to accurately predict" the impact on the company; bonuses for the board suspended

08/4/20 - 09:09		Direct Line - coronavirus update: "early signs indicate a reduction in claims, particularly in motor, as customers stay at home"

08/4/20 - 09:08		Which? - latest COVID-19 email and text phishing scams include fake HMRC goodwill payments and fake lockdown fines

08/4/20 - 09:02		Aviva - coronavirus update: "we do not intend to use the UK Government funded scheme to furlough Aviva employees"

08/4/20 - 08:58		Anexo - legal division has 8,000 clients in the VW emissions case; a win would have "a significant positive impact" on Group's profits

08/4/20 - 08:23		Aviva - Board of Directors agrees to withdraw recommendation to pay the 2019 final dividend to shareholders

08/4/20 - 07:32		Allianz - switches to hybrid power with new Toyota and Lexus 200-vehicles-per-year fleet deal

07/4/20 - 14:01		IMI - launches dedicated COVID-19 hub for automotive professionals

07/4/20 - 13:51		ITAS - further developments to their industry information portal allow bodyshops to update their profiles on-line

07/4/20 - 13:51		Women in Automotive (WinA) - 2020 plans (leadership training and mentoring) and the WinA Board

07/4/20 - 13:47		Coronavirus - US car sales down 38.6% in March; sales in Germany down 38%

07/4/20 - 13:46		Mycarcheck.com - tells anyone considering buying a used car during the coronavirus crisis: STOP!

07/4/20 - 13:41		WebSafety - launch new smartphone app in effort to reduce distractions while driving

07/4/20 - 13:39		Will the coronavirus reduce emissions long term?

07/4/20 - 13:37		Coronavirus- survey reveals effect on bodyshop market with 49% having already closed; 27% plan to stay open for the foreseeable future

07/4/20 - 13:05		E-Type UK - Kent-based bodyshop restores 1964 Series 1 3.8 FHC Jaguar E-Type

07/4/20 - 13:01		Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) - sets out priorities for 2020/21

07/4/20 - 12:48		Pirelli - launches new digital training for tyre dealers and the salesforce

07/4/20 - 12:31		Lightfoot - office supply company cuts accident numbers from 15 over twelve months to just one in five months

07/4/20 - 12:16		Inchcape - COVID-19 Business Update: Board & senior management taking a 20% pay cut in Q2; company remains "well placed" for the future

07/4/20 - 11:51		Car-O-Liner UK - running on skeleton staff at Rugby Office but able to answer bodyshop requests, enquiries or equipment concerns

07/4/20 - 11:46		Bodiwork by Devey - former Dragon Hilary Devey’s new bodyshop chooses to work exclusively with Spies Hecker

07/4/20 - 11:40		Venson - motorists reconsider electric vehicle switch in the wake of Covid-19

07/4/20 - 11:12		Laser Tools - new trim clip remover with built-in plastic protector to prevent damage to trim, clips and paintwork

07/4/20 - 11:00		Impacts of COVID-19 on Insurance Businesses

07/4/20 - 10:34		BuyaCar.co.uk - van sales in March increased 20-fold

07/4/20 - 10:32		Ageas UK - Andy Watson hands over to Ant Middle as CEO

07/4/20 - 10:27		Government - postpones implementation of Clean Air Zones until 2021

07/4/20 - 10:20		Sabre - 2019 results for 21st largest motor insurer: £57m pre-tax profit on £197m of gross written premium; focused on profit over growth

07/4/20 - 08:15		USA: Allstate Insurance - 4th largest motor insurer refunding £490m to 18 million customers stuck at home during coronavirus lockdowns

06/4/20 - 14:21		Parts Supply: Vizion update - inc Nissan and Renault / Dacia and Hyundai (Smiths Motor Group)

06/4/20 - 14:13		Parts Supply: Toyota (GB) - introducing an additional centralised parts supply contact for all UK bodyshops

06/4/20 - 14:09		European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) Brexit: UK trade deal - EU car makers call for "far-reaching agreement"

06/4/20 - 14:03		Volkswagen Group - lose first stage of emissions High Court action when judge rules their cars "did indeed have a defeat device" fitted

06/4/20 - 13:42		ABP Club Training Hub & IMPROVE - FREE SME home working course

06/4/20 - 13:30		Colad - introduces new 6000 ml mixing cup

06/4/20 - 13:18		Alton Cars - 20 courtesy cars, & £10 for every vehicle repaired donated to NHS by 3rd largest independent bodyshop group in UK

06/4/20 - 12:13		Copart - "task force" to collect some damaged cars stuck at now closed bodyshops, & helping to maintain the flow of parts to feed repairers

06/4/20 - 12:07		SMMT - new van sales fell 54.3% in March

06/4/20 - 11:57		NBRA - encourage bodyshops to donate unused PPE to NHS workers (link below to donate)

06/4/20 - 11:43		LKQ Europe - suspended appointment of Hartmut P. Roehl as Senior Advisor

06/4/20 - 11:43		LKQ Europe - suspended appointment of Hartmut P. Roehl as Senior Advisor

06/4/20 - 11:25		Blackpool and The Fylde College (B&FC) - KC Autos, 5th largest independent bodyshop group, Highly Commended at virtual awards ceremony:

06/4/20 - 10:02		FREE Epidemic Strategy Planner for bodyshops - written by Wayne and Louise Mason-Drust from Accident Express group

06/4/20 - 09:57		eBay - exclusive interview with Laura Richard from eBay on plans to introduce a parts certification scheme for reclaimed car parts

06/4/20 - 09:43		CV-Library - applications to automotive jobs have dropped by 20% year-on-year and 17% month-on-month

06/4/20 - 09:41		SMMT - new car sales down 44.4% in March; diesel sales down 62%; battery cars trebled to take 4.6% of the market

06/4/20 - 09:31		SMMT - URGENT: PPE Manufacture – support required – 5 April

06/4/20 - 02:14		Ford - extend temporary suspension of all European production at least until 4 May

04/4/20 - 16:07		Coronavirus Job Retention Grant - Sat 4 April, Government issue new extended furloughing rules; read the new official guidance here in full

04/4/20 - 02:17		Clothing retailer New Look - suspends all outstanding payments to its suppliers indefinitely

03/4/20 - 14:17		Brockford Accident Repair Centre - Auto Body Professional magazine article with bodyshop MD, Mike Ribbons

03/4/20 - 14:11		Standox - updated product label design for ease of use: names & mix codes larger for better readability

03/4/20 - 14:04		GT Motive - offers COVID-19 support package for UK bodyshops with free estimating solution until the end of May

03/4/20 - 14:03		GT Motive - offers COVID-19 support package for UK bodyshops with free estimating solution until the end of May

03/4/20 - 13:57		ITAS - extend platform to give insurers and acc man cos FREE info on which dealers and open and providing parts service

03/4/20 - 13:57		East Bilney Coachworks - helping to support the three major hospitals in Norfolk / Suffolk with courtesy cars and donating PPE

03/4/20 - 13:46		Audatex UK - notification of temporary changes to Audatex Service Desk Support hours (now 8am - 5:30pm)

03/4/20 - 13:41		Anexo Group (inc DAMS) - trading update: in line with expectations; "Group's operations are categorised as essential businesses"

03/4/20 - 13:39		HMRC - update to new coronavirus (COVID-19) Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme

03/4/20 - 13:28		Low oil price leads to sharpest drop in petrol and diesel prices in 12 years - potential for petrol to fall to 98p per litre

03/4/20 - 13:19		Nissan - extend suspension of car production in Sunderland until end April

03/4/20 - 13:13		Tracker - shortage of new parts could boost ‘chop-shop’ market and increase organised crime

03/4/20 - 13:04		Consumer Intelligence - car insurance premiums up 5.5% in last 12 months to £829; claims costs are driving the continued upward trend

03/4/20 - 13:01		Advisory note from BMS and EMACS - offering customers a three-month payment holiday

03/4/20 - 12:14		The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CLIT) - online database for organisations in urgent need of supply chain resources

03/4/20 - 12:05		Honda UK - Michael Doyle promoted to Head of Network and Commercial Development

03/4/20 - 11:38		Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme - expanded to more SMEs, personal guarantees cannot be taken for facilities below £250k

03/4/20 - 11:12		Coronavirus Businesses Bulletin – 02 April 2020

03/4/20 - 10:41		e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management [e2e] - "staying connected is important"; mental health first aiders, team huddles and isolation comps

03/4/20 - 09:50		LV= - "we’ve increased the amount we pay bodyshops"

03/4/20 - 09:13		SYNETIQ - protects itself and clients from software failure with The Cloud

03/4/20 - 00:52		Carrot Insurance - issue double rewards to all their young drivers to leave their cars at home during the coronavirus lockdown

02/4/20 - 21:20		Auto Body Professional - Spring issue out now, in print and online (link to digital edition, below)

02/4/20 - 21:05		Automechanika Dubai - postponed from 7 to 9 June 2020; will now take place from 19 – 21 October 2020

02/4/20 - 20:59		Post - Motor Insurance World Live: free 1-hour audio event next week (Weds 8 April); info and register below

02/4/20 - 14:15		Jarvis - to provide transactional estimating remotely to support the bodyshop industry

02/4/20 - 14:12		BCC Coronavirus Business Impact Tracker - 44% businesses expect to furlough at least 50% of workforce in the next week

02/4/20 - 14:01		FCA - proposes temporary financial relief for customers impacted by coronavirus

02/4/20 - 13:51		Advice for Glasurit mixing machines during temporary shutdowns (via Waregrain group)

02/4/20 - 13:46		International Applications Ltd (IAL) - Banbury-based coatings and consumables firm divests Supply 360 division to Japanese company

02/4/20 - 13:40		Ford Motor Company Fund’s new COVID-19 Donation Match programme - to support nonprofits and community groups in more than 20 countries

02/4/20 - 13:28		New car sales in March - France down 72%; Italy down 85%; Spain down 69%

02/4/20 - 13:22		Small Business Commissioner’s appeal to UK big businesses - "do the right thing and help your smallest suppliers"

02/4/20 - 13:18		Insurance Times Claims awards - finalists announced; winner revealed at ceremony on new date of 1 Oct (rearranged from 21 May)

02/4/20 - 12:58		Comparethemarket - motor insurance premiums jump by £24 in latest quarter

02/4/20 - 12:48		Farécla - 2020 Apprentice & Student Bonnet Painting competition postponed

02/4/20 - 12:41		GT Motive & DAC holdings - GT Motive UK to take back direct distribution of all GT Motive products & solutions under dir. of David Vella

02/4/20 - 12:18		ACIS continue to operate - 2 ACIS distributors, Granlyn and Coachfinish, are closed

02/4/20 - 12:06		Trakm8 - self-install telematics solutions play vital role in bridging insurance telematics gap during crisis

02/4/20 - 11:44		L & I Eaton ARC - go the extra mile for NHS worker who had all 4 courtesy car tyres slashed

02/4/20 - 11:22		McLaren and University of Southampton - developing prototype protective equipment for frontline healthcare staff

02/4/20 - 11:04		AA - launches free breakdown service for all NHS workers during Coronavirus crisis

02/4/20 - 10:45		Parts supply - TW White, the UK’s largest wholesale parts department for Mazda, Hyundai, Kia and Suzuki are open and they deliver nationwide

02/4/20 - 09:52		APIL (Association of Personal Injury Lawyers) - annual conference postponed from 14 & 15 May to 19 & 20 November

02/4/20 - 09:01		Saga - trading update for y/e 30 Jan 2020: anticipate £300m pre-tax loss on £797m turnover; underlying profit down 39% to £110m

02/4/20 - 01:10		Calling all mobile glass companies - can you help an ABP Club member with tailgate glass

02/4/20 - 00:42		AELP (Association of Employment and Learning Providers) - 1 in 6 apprentice training providers warn they may go bust

01/4/20 - 17:56		Wimbledon tennis - 2020 tournament due to take place 29 June to 12 July has been cancelled

01/4/20 - 17:27		British Grand Prix - Silverstone and Formula 1 have until the end of April to decide if the race can ahead as planned on 10 July 2020

01/4/20 - 16:19		Enterprise Car Club - offer FREE membership to help those helping during the Covid19 outbreak (saving them up to £60)

01/4/20 - 14:09		Parts supply: Advantage Parts Solutions UPDATE - partner with national courier; able to source parts for all brands

01/4/20 - 14:04		LKQ Europe - appoints Hartmut Roehl as Senior Advisor for Government Affairs

01/4/20 - 13:54		bodyshop magazine awards - postponed from 18 September "until later in the year"

01/4/20 - 13:49		Autotader - free advertising to support customers led to record 540,000 cars on website; board to forego half their salaries and all bonuses

01/4/20 - 13:33		Rye Street Group - Happy 30th Birthday to the UK's 10th largest independent bodyshop group!

01/4/20 - 13:28		AW Repair Group - make PPE available to local community care homes

01/4/20 - 13:24		Parts Supply - TPS Centres (VW Group) remain open to support bodyshops; key worker priority, delivery only, current TPS customer base only

01/4/20 - 12:57		National Minimum and Living Wage increases come into effect today (Weds 1 April)

01/4/20 - 12:49		Business Cost Reduction Associates - 7 ways to manage your energy billing during challenging trading conditions

01/4/20 - 12:35		Fix Auto Leeds - a network first: Sam and Stephen Smith's new bodyshop will be first repair centre to be built entirely from scratch

01/4/20 - 12:29		The Motor Ombudsman - upgrades 'Knowledge Base' to help answer motorists’ questions in response to Coronavirus

01/4/20 - 12:23		PRA (Petrol Retailers Association) - petrol consumption is down 75% and diesel consumption is down 71% under government lock-down

01/4/20 - 11:41		Spain: SEAT - adapting windscreen wiper motors, gearbox shafts and 3D-printed gears to produce ventilators

01/4/20 - 11:34		Nationwide Vehicle Recovery (NWVA) - helping bodyshops deliver courtesy cars safeguarding technicians

01/4/20 - 10:56		The Corporate Finance Network - 18% of all SMEs are set to collapse within the next 4 weeks, unless the government steps in

01/4/20 - 10:22		BLW Law - Credit hire and COVID-19: new rules come into effect next week which impact on credit hire and replacement vehicles

01/4/20 - 10:02		Autovista Group (article) - How will COVID-19 shape used-car markets?