ABP Club News - May 2009

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

29/5/09		WNS - ABP Club response to -East of England- In reference to the posting made earlier today by “East of England” regarding the latest development between WNS and its network.

29/5/09		Opel / Vauxhall - bidders threatening to pull out Fiat could pull out of the race to buy Vauxhall/Opel from General Motors if an initial deal isn’t reached today before GM enters bankruptcy proceedings on Monday.

29/5/09		Scrappage scheme - generates 35000 orders The scrappage scheme has generated more than 35000 new car orders according to government figures.

29/5/09		Auto Trader - extends insurance agreement with Budget Junction part of the BGL Group has extended its partnership with Auto Trader for a further five years.

29/5/09		Leased vehicles - new EC accountancy rules could make leasing unattractive Fears are growing that new rules governing the way fleets account for leased vehicles will force some to look for alternatives to leasing.

29/5/09		Caffyns - slumps to £4.4m loss from £2.3m profit Caffyns plc the leading motor distributor covering 12 car franchises from 20 sites (with 3 bodyshops) in the south-east of England announces its preliminary results for the year ended 31 March 2009.

29/5/09		Norwich Union - name ends on Monday 1 June; becomes Aviva On Monday 1 June Norwich Union the UK's largest insurer will complete its planned name change to Aviva as part of the group's strategy to grow and transform as it competes globally.

28/5/09		RMI - MEP support for access to technical information for independent garages ‘Continued access to technical information by independent garages that have made investment in equipment and training is vital for whole communities so it is good to know that this issue is being considered an election issue by European Parliamentary candidates’ according to Mike Owen Senior Technical Manager for the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF).

28/5/09		Allianz UK - profits down 5% in Q1 Allianz Insurance has reported a drop in operating profit (before tax) of £ 41.

28/5/09		Credit hire - -looks into the murky world of credit hire agreements- From Post mag: Chris Shaw (commercial director at AI Claims)looks into the murky world of credit hire agreements to discover what is happening behind the scenes - and why The current world of credit hire is playing out like something from a John Grisham thriller.

28/5/09		Bicknells Vauxhall - dealer group closes including bodyshop Bicknell Vauxhall a group of 3 Vauxhall dealers in Malvern Worcester and Tipton has gone into administration and closed.

28/5/09		Vertu Motors - annual results Vertu Motors the UK’s 9th largest dealership group has published its results for the year to 28 Feb 2009.

28/5/09		ABP Club meeting reminder - Thatcham 18 June We are delighted to report that two thirds of available places have been booked by Club members for the next ABP Club meeting to be held on Thursday 18 June 2009 kindly hosted by Thatcham.

28/5/09		Kitemark - criticised by article in Bodyshop mag Source: Bodyshop mag Rust chassis splits and grind marks three of the many major problems that were part of a Kitemark approved bodyshop repair.

28/5/09		Audatex - manufacturers lead the way with methods based training Supporting the increased focus on the safety and complexity of vehicle repair claims solutions provider Audatex UK is working closely with a number of leading vehicle manufacturers to offer estimator training courses with a particular emphasis on researched repair methods.

28/5/09		4.8 million drivers consider changing to motorbikes A recent study carried out by the Post Office revealed that an increasing number of UK car drivers are favouring the idea of trading in their car for a moped or motorbike in order to save money and facilitate their commute.

27/5/09		Helphire - another senior departure Helphire has announced that group commercial director David Robertson is leaving the company after 12 years to pursue other interests.

27/5/09		Auto Refinishers join U-I Auto Refinishers Ilford is the latest vehicle body repairer to join Call Zebra’s innovative U&I network.

27/5/09		Insurance Fraud Bureau - top towns for -crash-for-cash- scams The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) today releases statistics pinpointing the top twenty areas of the UK affected by ‘Crash for Cash’ crimes showing insurers halting the growth of the problem.

27/5/09		Financial Ombudsman - publishes annual report The Financial Ombudsman Service has today published its review for the year to 31 March 2009.

26/5/09		BSI Kitemark standard - Fleet News coverage The fleet industry is being urged to be wary of garages which have not signed up to accreditation schemes that reach the Kitemark standard.

26/5/09		More than a quarter of insurance workers fear for jobs Two thirds of people in insurance and financial services believe that the sector should remain committed to maintaining investment in staff training at pre-recession levels reveals the third annual skills survey published today by the Chartered Insurance Institute.

26/5/09		Petrol - the £1 litre returns ABP - The latest press release from the AA below shows that the £1 litre level for petrol is returning.

26/5/09		Refrigerant handling - advice for ABP members Following several member enquiries regarding forthcoming Refrigerant Handling regulations ABP Club contacted a specialist in this area Pro Auto Limited to provide practical advice and training options available for technicians.

26/5/09		Transweld Truck Bodies - bankruptcy Publication Date: Thursday 7 May 2009 Notice Code: 2504 Bankruptcy Orders (Partnerships) LING AND STANHOPE DAVID THOMAS AND ROBERT ALAN David Thomas Ling Handyman of 191 Heage Road Ripley Derbyshire DE5 3GG and lately trading as a commercial vehicle body builder under the style of Transweld Truck Bodies from Unit 10 Bridge Street Clay Cross Chesterfield Derbyshire S45 9NU and Robert Alan Stanhope Handyman of Peasehill Bretby Lane Bretby Burton on Trent DE15 0QR and lately trading as a commercial vehicle body builder under the style of Transweld Truck Bodies from Unit 10 Bridge Street Clay Cross Chesterfield Derbyshire S45 9NU.

26/5/09		Trafford Trailer Repairs Ltd - wound-up - liquidated Publication Date: Tuesday 5 May 2009 Resolutions for Winding-up TRAFFORD TRAILER REPAIRS LIMITED (Company Number 1755595) At a general meeting of the Company convened and held at The Rhinewood Country House Hotel Glazebrook Lane Glazebrook Nr Warrington WA3 5BB on 21 April 2009 the following Resolutions were passed as a Special Resolution and as an Ordinary Resolution respectively: “That the Company be wound up voluntarily; and that Ian Williamson of Campbell Crossley & Davis 348/350 Lytham Road Blackpool Lancashire FY4 1DW be and is hereby appointed Liquidator of the Company for the purposes of such winding-up.

26/5/09		PBRC (2008) Ltd (formerly Parkside Body Repair Centre Ltd) - wound-up - liquidated Publication Date: Friday 22 May 2009 Resolutions for Winding-up PBRC (2008) LIMITED (formerly Parkside Body Repair Centre Limited) (Company Number 03424215) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the above-named Company duly convened and held at Clive House Clive Street Bolton BL1 1ET on 14 May 2009 at 10.

26/5/09		Leeward Coachbuilders Ltd - wound-up - liquidated Publication Date: Wednesday 6 May 2009 Resolutions for Winding-up LEEWARD COACHBUILDERS LIMITED (Company Number 02796061) At a General Meeting of the above named company duly convened and held at Church Steps House Queensway Halesowen West Midlands B63 4AB on 16 April 2009 the following resolutions were duly passed as a special and an ordinary resolution respectively: 1.

26/5/09		Mole Valley Coachworks Ltd - wound-up - liquidated Publication Date: Thursday 7 May 2009 Resolutions for Winding-up MOLE VALLEY COACHWORKS LIMITED (Company Number 04637807) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members of the above named company duly convened and held at The Grange 100 High Street London N14 6TB on 24 April 2009 the following resolutions were duly passed; No 1 as a Special Resolution and No 2 as an Ordinary Resolution:- 1.

26/5/09		Accident Claims Assist Ltd - wound-up - liquidated Publication Date: Friday 22 May 2009 Resolutions for Winding-up ACCIDENT CLAIMS ASSIST LIMITED (Company Number 05625628) At a General Meeting of the above – named Company duly convened and held at 601 High Road Leytonstone London E11 4PA on 18 May 2009 the following Resolutions were passed as a Special Resolution and as Ordinary Resolutions respectively: “The Company be wound up voluntarily and that Harjinder Johal and George Michael both of Ashcrofts Limited 601 High Road Leytonstone London E11 4PA be and are hereby appointed Joint Liquidators for the purposes of such winding – up.

26/5/09		Malgraves Coachworks Ltd - creditors meeting Publication Date: Thursday 14 May 2009 Meetings of Creditors MALGRAVES COACHWORKS LIMITED (Company Number 04961267) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a Meeting of the Creditors of the above named Company will be held at Carter Clark Meridian House 62 Station Road North Chingford London E4 7BA on 29 May 2009 at 10.

26/5/09		Car Automotive Repairs Ltd (formerly Wilbury Coachworks Ltd) - creditors meeting Publication Date: Tuesday 19 May 2009 Meetings of Creditors CAR AUTOMOTIVE REPAIRS LIMITED (formerly Wilbury Coachworks Limited) (Company Number 5245107) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a Meeting of the Creditors of the above named Company will be held at Carter Clark Meridian House 62 Station Road North Chingford London E4 7BA on 4 June 2009 at 11.

26/5/09		Northants Vehicle Refinishers Ltd - creditors meeting Publication Date: Monday 18 May 2009 Meetings of Creditors NORTHANTS VEHICLE REFINISHERS LIMITED (Company Number 04827854) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a meeting of the creditors of the above-named Company will be held at 100-102 St James Road Northampton NN5 5LF on 03 June 2009 at 11.

26/5/09		The Body Shop (Leicester) Ltd - creditors meeting Publication Date: Wednesday 6 May 2009 Meetings of Creditors THE BODY SHOP (LEICESTER) LIMITED (Company Number 05232070) Notice is hereby given pursuant to section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a Meeting of the Creditors of the above-named Company will be held at Hope & Anchor-Hungry Horse Wanlip Road Syston Leicestershire LE7 1PD on 27 May 2009 at 11.

26/5/09		A. Wilcox Motor Bodies Ltd - administrator appointed Publication Date: Tuesday 19 May 2009 Appointment of Administrators In the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) Birmingham District Registry No 8314 of 2009 A.

26/5/09		A D Legal Services Ltd - administrator appointed Publication Date: Monday 11 May 2009 Appointment of Administrators In the High Court No 13679 of 2009 A D LEGAL SERVICES LIMITED (Company Number 05298734) Nature of Business: Agents for Accident/Injury Claims.

26/5/09		Quinn Insurance - 50m euro loss in 2008 compared to 245m euro profit in 2007 Quinn Insurance has posted a pre-tax loss of €58m compared to a €245m profit in 2007.

25/5/09		Kitemarked (PAS125) bodyshops – total now 309 Another seven new Kitemarked bodyshops have been added to the BSi Kitemark listing since we last published our exclusive analysed list on Fri 15 May.

25/5/09		Fraud gang get £5m from 300 bogus crash claims A gang tried to claim £5million from insurers in a string of bogus car accidents stretching over two-and-a-half years.

25/5/09		Crash for cash - insurers want tough police action Insurers are calling for more police forces to get involved in the fight against fraudulent motor accidents.

24/5/09		A fake car crash for £500 Source: Sunday People £500 AND HE'LL STAGE FAKE CAR CRASH FOR YOU Scandal of smash-for-cash rogues A grinning rogue offers to stage car crashes and then con insurance companies into paying up.

22/5/09		Call Zebra joins forces with insurance broker Insurance broker Beaumont Roberts has joined forces with Call Zebra to offer its clients a full accident management package.

22/5/09		Synergy - Alan Cottrill (ex Audatex) joins With Synergy’s recent announcement of a strategic accident claims handling relationship with EMR Insurance Services and the continued expansion of its national network of Thatcham BSI Kitemark accredited accident repair bodyshops the group has identified a need for specialist client management support.

22/5/09		Audatex - urges motor insurers to focus on total losses When commercial pressures become acute the maxim is to find ways of turning problems into opportunities.

22/5/09		Audatex - ABP Club wants your questions for them ABP Club will be attending the bi-annual Audatex Industry Forum Next Wednesday 27 May.

22/5/09		ACEA report - reference to non-OE parts The ACEA report (see previous posting) contains 2 pages addressing the intellectual property rights and safety aspects of non-OE parts.

22/5/09		ACEA - European Automobile Industry Report 2009/10 The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association ACEA has published the European Automobile Industry Report 09/10.

22/5/09		RMI - !-independent garages need to manage labour and time efficiently- Independent garages need to manage labour and time as efficiently as possible to take full advantage of increased customer volumes in the current economic climate according to the RMI’s Independent Garage Association (IGA).

21/5/09		Motor Trader Awards - Academy is four-midable! A Lancashire independent car specialist is celebrating after being short-listed in an influential national award programme — in four different categories.

21/5/09		Glass's eSalvage and Elite - link to help dealers with scrappage cars Franchised car dealers can maximise income from older vehicles traded-in under the Government’s Scrappage Scheme thanks to a new partnership between Glass’s and Elite Incident Management.

21/5/09		Audatex - offering manufacturer methods-based training Supporting the increased focus on the safety and complexity of vehicle repair Audatex are working closely with a number of leading vehicle manufacturers to offer estimator training courses with a particular emphasis on researched repair methods.

21/5/09		PAS125 Kitemark - latest newsletter The latest Kitemark Working Group Newsletter reflecting the points from the 22nd April meeting has just been published.

21/5/09		Motor Trader awards - the 5 bodyshop finalists announced The 5 finalists for this years Motor Trader Bodyshop of the Year Award are (in alphabetical order): Academy Group - Whitefield Manchester AJC Wilson - Dagenham Alton Cars - Leeds Coombe Coachworks - Cheam M & M Vehicle Repairs - Stoke-on-Trent Alton Cars were the winners of this award in 2008 and 2006 and a finalist in 2007.

21/5/09		Ford - new crash test procedures for new technologies Ford has introduced an unusual range of new extreme tests – such as ramming shopping carts into car doors and blasting water cannons to force vehicles into skids – to fine tune new safety technologies.

21/5/09		Fleet News article - -Garages 'ripping off' fleets- In Fleet News in an article called 'Garages 'ripping off' fleets' it includes reference to bodyshops and PAS125.

21/5/09		NU - bring motor engineers scheduling office back to UK from India Norwich Union is to shut one of its service centre operations in India and bring the work back to the UK.

21/5/09		Oil price - hits 6 month high; over $60 barrel Oil prices have hit six-month highs breaking through $62 a barrel after data showed a fall in US oil supplies for a second straight week.

21/5/09		Opel / Vauxhall - 3 formal bids received by deadline German officials said they had prepared $2bn worth of bridge financing to tide Opel through a takeover process as 3 formal bids were submitted on Wednesday for GM Europe.

20/5/09		H R Owen - chairmans AGM statement As is customary I will now give a brief update on the performance of the business in the first four months.

20/5/09		Wyatt - dealer group in south goes under; bought by Freeborn Another of the south’s oldest motor dealership names has fallen victim to the recession after Hampshire-based Wyatt group collapsed under the weight of £1m in debts.

20/5/09		Just Car Clinics - AGM update; turnover down 4% in first 4 months The Board of Just Car Clinics Group plc announces that at the Annual General Meeting held earlier today all of the resolutions set out in the notice convening the meeting dated 6 April 2009 were duly passed.

20/5/09		CAP - record number of new car variants A record number of new car variant introductions has been recorded this year by CAP the premier supplier of independent benchmark data to the automotive industry.

20/5/09		WNS - repairer reductions for Credit Hire / Credit Repair referrals We have taken on board the concerns members have raised with us regarding the latest development between WNS and its network.

20/5/09		Chaucer choose Autoglass as preferred glass supplier Chaucer Insurance has announced that from 18 May 2009 Autoglass will be the preferred supplier for all its customers requiring any glass repair or replacement work on their vehicle.

20/5/09		Allianz - working with ABP Club to strengthen ties with motor repair industry ALLIANZ INSURANCE STRENGTHENS TIES WITH MOTOR REPAIR INDUSTRY Allianz Insurance has teamed up with the Auto Body Professionals (ABP) Club to organise a series of industry working groups to tackle key issues facing the motor repair industry.

20/5/09		GPS / sat nav - system could break down next year says US govt Satellite Navigation systems could be in danger of breaking down within the next year according to the US government.

20/5/09		ABI - director general to leave in November The Financial Reporting Council (FRC) has announced that Stephen Haddrill will succeed Paul Boyle as chief executive of the FRC and will be appointed as a member of the FRC Board.

20/5/09		AIRC - appoints new General Secretary; Tagg appointed to board The General Meeting of the AIRC [Association Internationale des Réparateurs en Carrosserie- formed in 1970 the AIRC is the global federation of leading national trade organisations in the area of vehicle repairs] announced May 9 in Athens Greece the appointment of Karel Bukholczer as General Secretary and Malcolm Tagg as Member of the Board.

19/5/09		Broker Assistance - profile from Daily Telegraph From the Daily Telegraph Tuesday 19 May: Intermediary firms face narrow margins and stiff competition Insurance is an industry of intermediaries yet the mini-sector in which Jon Ralph operates is that of middlemen serving middlemen.

19/5/09		Elite wins Fleet Efficiency Account Elite Incident Management has won the Accident Management arm of Fleet Efficiency.

19/5/09		Accident Exchange - shares up 25% today At 2pm today (Tuesday) Accident Exchange shares were up 5p (25%) to 23.

19/5/09		Helphire - Corrie to leave Swift Prestige Hire ABP Club has learnt that Nick Corrie the Commercial Director of Swift Prestige Hire part of the Helphire Group plc has decided to leave the business after nearly 13 years’ of service.

19/5/09		14000th technician achieves national standard of competence Andrew Millar who works at BB Body Repairs in Dumfries is the 14000th technician to achieve the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) standard.

19/5/09		ABP Club meeting - Thatcham 18 June - member invitation We are delighted to invite Club members to the next ABP Club meeting to be held on Thursday 18 June 2009 kindly hosted by Thatcham.

19/5/09		Lookers - management trading update Lookers plc one of the UK's leading motor retail groups[ABP - with 22 bodyshops] is issuing its Interim Management Statement ahead of the end of the first half of the current financial year on 30th June 2009.

18/5/09		Porsche / VW merger - under threat A power struggle among members of two of Germany’s oldest industrial families the Porsches and the Piechs is threatening to derail a deal to integrate the already intertwined Volkswagen AG and Porsche SE.

18/5/09		Scrappage scheme - recycling yards call for clarity Metals recyclers and vehicle dismantlers have criticised a lack of direct communication from the government about exactly how the £300 million vehicle scrappage scheme which is being officially introduced today (May 18) will affect them.

18/5/09		Scrappage scheme - Ford and Honda suspend participation due to unclear VAT rules Ford and Honda have delayed the start of their involvement in the UK car scrappage scheme saying there are a number of matters still to be resolved.

18/5/09		VAT appeal - Insurancewide wins on internet based insurance commissions Aggregator website Insurancewide has won a High Court appeal which means it is not required to pay VAT in internet based insurance commissions.

18/5/09		Vauxhall door shells - correct repair method provided 'Clock Watcher' posted a message on the ABP Club forum on 1 April 2009 regarding Vauxhall doorshells: “Genuine Vauxhall doorshells now need the hinges to be adjusted and welded into the correct position? similar to the old issue we used to encounter with Ford Escorts! I asked for my parts manager to get me something from Vauxhall to confirm this fact but it seems that they are very reluctant to put this required modification in writing! Obviously; without this information from Vauxhall any work providers will be unwilling to pay for the extra work required and in turn us repairers will loose out!! Firstly; Are any other repairers out their aware of this fact? or have I been given some duff information? Secondly; If this is true and the information is not forthcoming from the manufacture how do we stand? and will the estimating system houses be updating the repair times accordingly?” ABP Club forwarded this and several follow-on message to Bernard Berman Vauxhall’s Accident Repair Channel Manager GM UK & Ireland for investigation.

18/5/09		Kynastons Auto Service expands into Somerset Kynastons Auto Service now has two dedicated body repair sites having recently acquired Bindon Autobodies of Taunton.

18/5/09		Esure - recession impacts on policy cover Esure report 10% drop in consumers opting for no-claim discount protection and people are scaling back house and car cover Consumers are abandoning non-compulsory motor and home insurance in an effort to cut costs in the recession.

18/5/09		Technology could stop speeding and crashes A device that could dramatically reduce the number of collisions by eliminating driver error is to be tested in Europe.

15/5/09		A.Wilcox Motor Bodies - 18th largest bodyshop goes into administration A Black Country accident repair firm has gone into administration after 34 years leaving 35 workers jobless – A.

15/5/09		Kitemarked (PAS125) bodyshops – total breaks through 300 Another seven new Kitemarked bodyshops have been added to the BSi Kitemark listing since we last published our analysed list on Wed 13 May.

15/5/09		AJC Wilson - finalists for two prestigious Awards Multi Award winning London body repairer AJC Wilson Bodyshop find themselves finalists for two prestigious Awards in succession.

15/5/09		AA warns drivers to expect car insurance premium increases Following reports that car insurance premiums rose by 11 per cent in 2008 the AA has warned drivers that another increase is on its way for 2009.

15/5/09		Fix Auto Cardiff joins Call Zebra's U-I network Fix Auto Cardiff today became the first Welsh vehicle body repairer in the country to join Call Zebra’s U&I network.

15/5/09		ABP Club meeting review The review of April's Club meeting which features: Vauxhall Insignia Safety Related Parts and IT Business Continuity has been placed in the Club's library section.

avid Cre		BSI Meeting May 7 ll on 06/5/09: This posting is in response to 'Secret Squirrel' posting from 11.

15/5/09		Thatcham Maintain Installation Standards Further to the recent statement from the Board of the VSIB (Vehicle Systems Installation Board) that the company has gone into administration Thatcham are moving to support the installation industry announcing today the ‘Thatcham Recognised Installer’ scheme Thatcham recognise the ongoing need for competent vehicle systems installers and have decided to initiate a new scheme in order to protect the public and reduce risk to the Insurers.

15/5/09		Vehicle Damage Assessor ATA statistics and FAQs Glenn Cutter National Occupational Standards Manager Automotive Skills - a division of The Institute of the Motor Industry has provided ABP Club with statistics on the Vehicle Damage Assessor ATA using a FAQ format.

14/5/09		Fortis UK - business falls in Q1 by 11.1% compared to Q1 2008 Fortis Insurance International (which includes Fortis UK) saw its non-life gross written premium fall by 11% to €288m in Q1 2009 compared to €324m in Q1 2008.

14/5/09		Allianz - wins contract with BMW for income protection - gap insurance Allianz has won a major contract with BMW Financial Services from Lloyds Banking Group its first motor manufacturing deal.

14/5/09		Zenith Insurance - withdraw from credit hire GTA Zenith Insurance has become the latest insurer to withdraw from the credit hire general terms of agreement and negotiate its own terms with credit hire operators according to an article in todays Post magazine.

14/5/09		Chaucer - possible offer from Pamplona plus Chaucer response Pamplona Capital Management LLP confirms its interest in acquiring up to 29.

14/5/09		Innovation (owners of Motorcare) - raise £5m through share placing The Innovation Group plc the leading provider of enterprise software business process outsourcing and repair and service network management solutions to the global Property and Casualty industry today announces the proposed placing of 63411814 new Ordinary Shares at 8 pence per share to raise approximately £5072945 (gross) for the Company to further improve its capital base.

14/5/09		Avis - -resilient trading- plus -price increases- for insurance/replacement sector Avis Europe plc a leading car rental company across Europe Africa the Middle East and Asia publishes its Interim Management Statement for the calendar year to date.

14/5/09		Inchcape - Q1 pre-tax profits down 69% Current trading for the first quarter ended 31 March 2009.

14/5/09		Chaucer - motor business rises 20% in Q1 Interim Management Statement for the 3 months ended 31 March 2009 - strong first quarter with significant income growth and good investment return Commenting on the first quarter and the outlook Ewen Gilmour Chief Executive Officer said: 'This has been an excellent first quarter for the business with a strong premium income increase of 42% and a healthy investment return of 1.

14/5/09		Back to back success for Chaplane Chaplane Accident Repair Centre Colchester is delighted to be the first Porsche Centre Approved Bodyshop to have won the title of Porsche Centre Approved Bodyshop of the Year in two consecutive years winning in 2008 and again in 2009.

14/5/09		S - B Automotive Academy - host GarageExpo on May 28 Garage owners those looking for a career in the motor sector and car truck and motorcycle enthusiasts from across Bristol are being invited to a trade open day at one of the country’s leading automotive academies to see the very latest equipment available to the industry.

13/5/09		Helphire Group appoints two directors Helphire Group has announced the following appointments in line with the formation of a new senior management structure for the Group.

13/5/09		Broker Association - recession causes consumers to cut motor cover The British Insurance Brokers’ Association (BIBA) has published new research showing that consumers are reducing insurance cover as a result of the recession with home and motor insurance taking the brunt.

13/5/09		Knaresborough Body Repairs achieves Kitemark Knaresborough Body Repairs part of the five-site Yorkshire-based Alton Cars Independent Bodyshop Group has been awarded the Thatcham BSI Vehicle Body Repair Kitemark.

13/5/09		Kitemarked (PAS125) bodyshops – total now up to 295 Nine new Kitemarked bodyshops have been added to the BSi Kitemark listing since we last published our analysed list on 24 April.

13/5/09		Allianz Group - Q1: 1.4 billion euros operating profit Allianz Group showed a robust performance in a continuing challenging market environment during the first quarter of 2009.

13/5/09		Nissan - lost £1.57 BILLION last year Nissan has posted better results for the 2008/9 financial year than expected despite a net loss of £1.

13/5/09		Mazda - reports loss of £480m compared to £610m profit previous year Mazda has reported a net loss of £480 million in the last financial year.

13/5/09		Saab - 3 companies bid; Fiat German bank and China's Geely A report in a Swedish newspaper has revealed the three main bidders seeking to buy Saab from GM as Fiat Geely and an unnamed German bank.

13/5/09		Honda - UK workers given 3% pay cut Staff at Swindon's Honda plant have been told they will have their pay cut when they return to work in June.

13/5/09		Fortis UK - certainty for the future Fortis UK have asked us to post the following on the ABP Club website: Completion of the transactions between Fortis Holding the Belgian State and BNP Paribas.

12/5/09		JCC staff to raise money in parachute jump We need your help to raise money for the Just Car Clinic charity of the year – Brake.

12/5/09		Bodyshops - 81% record a decline in year-on-year repair volumes Managing decreasing work volumes appear to be a way of life for many UK bodyshops - for the third year in a row they are reporting a drop in volumes of work in quarter one compared to the same quarter in the previous year.

12/5/09		Holley Autobodies celebrates Kitemark and Ford Approvals Holley Autobodies an independent Accident Repair Centre located in Taunton has recently passed the BSI Thatcham Kitemark (PAS125) and has been appointed as a premium Ford Accident Repair Centre (FARC).

12/5/09		new VW Polo - -lot of interest from bodyshop sector- Volkswagen fleet boss Vince Kinner is promising a major impact from the new Polo when it launches in October.

12/5/09		ClaimWatch enters garage and MOT sector ClaimWatch Ltd the company behind the award winning ClaimWatch™ package is launching Clictoc an online booking and marketing system for garages and MOT test stations.

12/5/09		From the Times Car Clinic May 11 Matt I had a car accident in early March this year and the car has been in and out of the body shop 7 times and they have not correctly repaired the car and in turn have damaged my car whilst in their stewardship.

11/5/09		Accidents involving foreign lorries up 10% in last year New data suggests accidents involving foreign lorries have risen by 10% over the past twelve months.

11/5/09		Helphire - sell eregister jewellery subsidiary for £300k Helphire today announces that on Friday 8th May 2009 it disposed of the business and assets of its wholly owned subsidiary company E-Register Limited to Loss Management Group Limited for total cash consideration of 0.

11/5/09		Post Office - new 5 year extension to contract with Junction for motor insurance Junction has entered into a new exclusive five-year contract with Post Office Financial Services to provide home and motor insurance.

08/5/09		Forum for Private Business - names and shames bad payers Following the re-entry of the retail giant Argos into its Late Payment Hall of Shame four years after its first appearance the FPB (The Forum for Private Business) is urging the UK's biggest businesses to sign up to the Government's Prompt Payment Code.

08/5/09		Toyota - plan new UK cutbacks Toyota the world's biggest carmaker is finalising plans for fresh cutbacks in its UK factories.

08/5/09		RBS Insurance - Q1 management statement Operating profit was £101 million a reduction of £46 million from a year earlier.

07/5/09		RBS Insurance - management shake up; new job for Alastair Grier Royal Bank of Scotland Insurance has announced a shake-up of its executive management team.

07/5/09		Pertwee - Back bodyshop - arsonists strike Arsonists set fire to a derelict caravan after breaking into the yard of Pertwee and Back a Ford dealership and accident repair centre in Great Yarmouth.

07/5/09		Zurich reports 40% profits fall Zurich Insurance has reported its operating profits fell by 40% from $1.

07/5/09		General Motors - lost $6 BILLION in Q1; turnover down 47% General Motors Corp.

07/5/09		Helphire criticises late paying insurance firms Helphire has hit out at insurance companies who delay paying their bills.

07/5/09		Traffic levels - fell 3.5% in first quarter; less congestion Road traffic in Great Britain: The latest provisional figures show a decrease of 3.

07/5/09		New motor insurer - led by former Highway chief exec source: Post mag The former managing director of Highway Chris Hill is to return with a new motor insurance company backed by the founders of A-Plan.

07/5/09		New car sales - fell 24% in April • New car registrations fell 24.

07/5/09		Innovation Group (owners of Motorcare) - half year results; Motorcare UK turnover doubles Innovation Group plc the leading provider of enterprise software business process outsourcing and repair and service network management solutions to the global Property and Casualty industry today announces its interim results for the six months ended 31 March 2009.

07/5/09		RSA - Q1 management statement RSA Interim Management Statement Quarter 1 2009: Continued strong performance Andy Haste Group CEO of RSA commented: “Our first quarter net written premiums have again demonstrated the resilience of our strong and diversified portfolio.

07/5/09		Innovation Group (owners of Motorcare) - win major European accident management contract Innovation Group plc the leading provider of enterprise software business process outsourcing and repair and service network management solutions to the global Property and Casualty industry is pleased to announce a significant European outsourcing agreement for the handling of motor accident claims.

07/5/09		Jaguar Land Rover - government loan guarantee talks close to collapse The British government said on Wednesday night that negotiations with luxury carmaker Jaguar Land Rover on guaranteeing financing are continuing despite reports that the talks were in trouble.

07/5/09		Volvo - Ford speeds up sale Ford Motor Co.

06/5/09		Porsche and Volkswagen to merge Porsche announced plans late on Wednesday for merging with the Volkswagen group into what is to be an 'integrated car concern' the final structure of which still has to be worked out.

06/5/09		Young Marmalade promotes “safer car and insurance” package for young drivers Young Marmalade has received the endorsement of Business and Economics Minister Ian Pearson MP for a new initiative that could stimulate car sales and protect young drivers.

avid Cre		Kitemark Working Group ll on 06/5/09: This posting is in response to 'Secret Squirrel' posting from 11.

06/5/09		Chaucer - Brit Insurance leads acquisition race Brit Insurance has become the lead contender to acquire Lloyd’s insurer Chaucer Insurance Holdings as final bids are posted according to reports.

06/5/09		Vauxhall - cuts rental volumes by 50% Vauxhall has reduced the number of rental partners it supplies from 10 to just 4 after another review of the volume of cars it sells into that sector of the market.

06/5/09		Scrappage scheme - causing new car shortages Lord Mandleson’s scrappage scheme looks set to compound a new car stock shortage leaving businesses picking up the costs as fleet managers have to resort to short-term rental to cover for delayed vehicles.

06/5/09		RMI and SMMT - your questions please As announced at the recent ABP Club meeting in Doncaster the Club is meeting on Monday 11 May with: - Rob Foulston the new chief executive of the RMI (we understand that Sue Robinson head of Bodyshop Services and Tony Lowe will also attend the meeting) - Paul Everitt the new chief executive of the SMMT We will of course raise many issues that we consider relevant to the current body repair market but as normal we value member input and therefore request that you contact us with any questions points or issues you would like to be raised.

06/5/09		Glass's - used car values to end year 16% up on last year Continued shortages in the supply of used cars will bring a much-needed boost to residual values through to the end of 2009 predicts Glass’s.

06/5/09		Countrywide Accident Assistance (CAA) - Steven West (ex RSA) joins as claims manager Countrywide Accident Assistance Ltd (CAA) the UK’s leading quality claims outsourcing solution provider has added another new face to its senior management team with the appointment of Steven West as Claims Manager.

06/5/09		RBS - new chief exec of RBS Insurance RBS Group Announces Further Senior Executive Changes • Paul Geddes currently CEO of UK Retail to join the Executive Committee as CEO of RBS Insurance • Chris Sullivan currently CEO of RBS Insurance to become CEO of UK Corporate Banking Division • The changes outlined above are expected to take effect from 31st July subject to regulatory clearance.

06/5/09		Helphire - trading update Helphire Group plc is today issuing its Interim Management Statement in respect of the period from 1st January 2009 to 5th May 2009.

05/5/09		New Mercedes E-class - 72% of structure is UHSS Mercedes-Benz is making heavy use of lightweight aluminum and ultra high strength steels in its newly designed 2010 E-Class saloon.

05/5/09		LDV vans - last minute deal saves them from administration Thousands of jobs have been saved after the Treasury stepped in to provide a last-minute £5 million loan for Birmingham van-maker LDV.

05/5/09		J C Payne Truck Bodies Ltd - former director applies to use prohibited name Publication Date: Thursday 16 April 2009 NOTICE TO THE CREDITORS OF AN INSOLVENT COMPANY OF THE RE-USE OF A PROHIBITED NAME RULE 4.

05/5/09		Northants Vehicle Refinishers Ltd - petition to wind up Publication Date: Thursday 30 April 2009 Petitions to Wind Up (Companies) In the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) Companies Court No 12452 of 2009 In the Matter of NORTHANTS VEHICLE REFINISHERS LIMITED and in the Matter of the Insolvency Act 1986 A Petition to wind up the above-named Company of Unit A Whitehouse Industrial Estate 80 Main Road Earls Court Northamptonshire NN6 7TX presented on 25 March 2009 by the Commissioners for HM Revenue and Customs of Bush House Strand London WC2B 4RD claiming to be Creditors of the Company will be heard at the Royal Courts of Justice Strand London WC2A 2LL on 13 May 2009 at 1030 hours (or as soon thereafter as the Petition can be heard).

05/5/09		D'N'A' Body Repairs - dissolution of partnership Publication Date: Thursday 23 April 2009 Dissolution of Partnership D’N’A CAR BODY REPAIRS Notice is hereby given that the Partnership formerly subsisting between Paul Mervyn Dean and Anthony Richard Ankerson carrying on business as D’n’A Car Body Repairs Popeswood Garage London Road Binfield Berkshire RG42 4AA has been dissolved as from 31 January 2009.

05/5/09		Chipsaway Kevin Tysoe - bankruptcy Publication Date: Thursday 23 April 2009 Bankruptcy Orders TYSOE Kevin Raymond Unemployed of 9 Haze Croft Worcester WR4 0EY and lately residing at and lately carrying on business as a Self Employed Franchised Car Bodywork Repairer under the style of Chipsaway Kevin Tysoe from 86 Vines Lane Droitwich WR9 8LT both in Worcestershire.

05/5/09		Shadow Auto Styling - bankruptcy Publication Date: Friday 24 April 2009 Bankruptcy Orders ELLIOTT Stuart Anthony retained firefighter of Millview The Causeway Thorney Peterborough Cambs PE6 0QQ and carrying on business as Shadow Auto Styling of Dearloves Farm Long Drove Parson Drove Wisbech Cambs PE13 4JT Car Body Shop.

05/5/09		R A Smillie Autos - bankruptcy Publication Date: Friday 1 May 2009 Bankruptcy Orders SMILLIE Ross Alexander Car Body Repairs of 37 Beechfield Way Hazlemere High Wycombe Buckinghamshire HP15 7TP and carrying on business as R A Smillie Autos Binders Yard Cryers Hill High Wycombe Buckinghamshire.

05/5/09		BCW Accident Repair Ltd - final meeting Publication Date: Thursday 16 April 2009 Final Meetings BCW ACCIDENT REPAIR LIMITED Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 106 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that the final meetings of contributories and creditors of the above named company will be held at Meridian House 62 Station Road North Chingford London E4 7BA on 27 May 2009 at 11.

05/5/09		Gemcar Ltd - liquidated Publication Date: Thursday 30 April 2009 Notice Code: 2443 Appointment of Liquidators Company Number: 04328324.

05/5/09		MW Coachworks Ltd - liquidated Publication Date: Tuesday 28 April 2009 Appointment of Liquidators Company Number: 05590908.

05/5/09		Craytex Ltd - liquidated Publication Date: Wednesday 29 April 2009 Notice Code: 2443 Appointment of Liquidators Company Number: 02823710.

05/5/09		Aztech Auto Bodies Ltd - wound up - liquidated Publication Date: Thursday 16 April 2009 Resolutions for Winding-up AZTECH AUTO BODIES LIMITED At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members of the above-named Company duly convened and held at 68 Ship Street Brighton East Sussex BN1 1AE on 07 April 2009 at 11.

05/5/09		Able Commercial Repairs Ltd - wound up - liquidated Publication Date: Monday 20 April 2009 Notice Code: 2441 Resolutions for Winding-up ABLE COMMERCIAL REPAIRS LIMITED (Company Number 06064643) At an Extraordinary General Meeting of the above-named Company held at The Star Inn Hotel 23 Bridge Street Pershore Worcestershire on 7 April 2009 the following Resolutions were passed as a Special Resolution and as an Ordinary Resolution respectively: “That it has been proved to the satisfaction of this Meeting that the Company cannot by reason of its liabilities continue its business and that it is advisable to wind up the same and accordingly that the Company be wound up voluntarily and that Robert Charles Millichap of Little Badnage Badnage Lane Tillington Herefordshire HR4 8LP be and he is hereby appointed Liquidator of the Company for the purpose of its voluntary winding-up.

05/5/09		N M L Autobody's Ltd - winding up order Publication Date: Tuesday 21 April 2009 Winding-Up Orders Name of Company—N M L AUTOBODY’S LTD.

05/5/09		Regal Auto Repairs Ltd - winding up order Publication Date: Wednesday 15 April 2009 Notice Code: 2452 Winding-Up Orders Name of Company—REGAL AUTO REPAIRS LIMITED.

05/5/09		AQccident Claims Assist Ltd - creditors meeting Publication Date: Friday 1 May 2009 Meetings of Creditors ACCIDENT CLAIMS ASSIST LIMITED (Company Number 05625628) Notice is hereby given pursuant to section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a Meeting of Creditors of the above-named Company will be held at 601 High Road Leytonstone London E11 4PA on 18 May 2009 at 12.

05/5/09		PBRC (2008) Ltd [formerly Parkside Body Repair Centre Ltd] - creditors meeting Publication Date: Wednesday 29 April 2009 Meetings of Creditors PBRC (2008) LIMITED (FORMERLY PARKSIDE BODY REPAIR CENTRE LIMITED) (Company Number 03424215) Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 98 of the Insolvency Act 1986 that a meeting of the creditors of the above-named Company will be held at Clive House Clive Street Bolton BL1 1ET on 14 May 2009 at 11.

05/5/09		G.B Commercial Vehicle Bodies Ltd - administrators appointed Publication Date: Monday 20 April 2009 Appointment of Administrators In the High Court of Justice Chancery Division Leeds District Registry No 1038 of 2009 G.

05/5/09		Innovation Group (owners of Motorcare) - shares up 53% today on news Shares in Innovation Group (owners of Motorcare) rose 53% today on the back of the news item below.

05/5/09		Helphire Group appoints Martin Ward as Group Managing Director Helphire Group plc is pleased to announce the appointment of Martin Ward to the role of Group Managing Director.

05/5/09		Fortis UK - free of banking ties Fortis Insurance UK has stated its intention to move forward with “confidence and certainty for the future” following recent developments at group level.

05/5/09		Elektron welders - Stanners statement etc Many rumors are currently circulating within the automotive industry Elektron is still in business and are continuing to manufacturer welding equipment.

05/5/09		Zurich - headhunt RSA chief exec from Daily Telegraph Andy Haste the chief executive of RSA one of Britain's largest insurance companies has been approached to take over at rival insurer Zurich Financial Services.

05/5/09		Groups miss out as accident repair millions go begging The economic downturn has led some of the UK’s largest dealer groups to miss a multi-million pound opportunity in accident repair.

05/5/09		AM - The demise of Autodex The demise of Autodex the UK’s fifth largest independent bodyshop group has been an illustration of how vulnerablerepairers can be to fluctuations in cashflow and repair volumes AM have reported.

04/5/09		Fiat confirms Opel deal interest Italian carmaker Fiat has confirmed for the first time that it is interested in a takeover of Opel - the German business of General Motors (GM).

04/5/09		ABP Club meeting - Highlights - IT Business Continuity Geoff Kench Managed Services Specialist - Corncorde Informatics provided an extremely practical and thought provoking talk on Business Continuity in the event of IT system failure.

01/5/09		USA - manufacturers and insurers trying to reduce number of total losses Have you ever heard of someone having their car 'totaled'? While the word might conjure images of a massive car accident replete with broken glass and the Jaws of Life the reality is sometimes far removed.

01/5/09		Thatcham - latest security product receives TQA SmarTrack’s new ‘Alert24 Keyguard’ stolen vehicle tracking system has become the latest product to be successfully accredited under Thatcham’s Quality Accreditation (TQA) scheme.

01/5/09		Audatex - new commercial director joins from Autoglass We are pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Ritchie to the position of Commercial Director reporting to Paul Tucker.

01/5/09		Pendragon - shares up 50% on results Shares in Penragon have surged today on the back of their results announcement this morning.

01/5/09		RMI - new MOT QC scheme MOT testing stations that carry out their own risk assessments prior to official evaluation will be able to highlight areas where improvement is needed and the RMIF MOT QC Scheme can help businesses in this process.

01/5/09		UK roads - pothole every 120yds The number of potholes on England's local roads has increased 32% over the last year a report has shown.

01/5/09		ReMIT launches new Apprentice Programmes for Body and Paint Approximately 40 people including ReMIT and Toyota Academy staff trade bodies (IMI MVRA and ABP Club) recruitment organisations and local employers attended yesterday’s launch of the Motor Industry apprentice training provider ReMIT’s brand new Body Repair and Paint apprenticeship programme held at Toyota’s state of the art facilities in the Highfields Automotive and Engineering Centre in Nottingham.

01/5/09		Pendragon - slumps to £201m loss in 2008 from £47m profit in 2007 Pendragon PLC the UK's leading car retailer group today reports preliminary results for the twelve months to 31 December 2008.

ABP Club News - May 2009

WNS - ABP Club response to -East of England-

Opel / Vauxhall - bidders threatening to pull out

Scrappage scheme - generates 35000 orders

Auto Trader - extends insurance agreement with Budget

Leased vehicles - new EC accountancy rules could make leasing unattractive

Caffyns - slumps to £4.4m loss from £2.3m profit

Norwich Union - name ends on Monday 1 June; becomes Aviva

RMI - MEP support for access to technical information for independent garages

Allianz UK - profits down 5% in Q1

Credit hire - -looks into the murky world of credit hire agreements-

Bicknells Vauxhall - dealer group closes including bodyshop

Vertu Motors - annual results

ABP Club meeting reminder - Thatcham 18 June

Kitemark - criticised by article in Bodyshop mag

Audatex - manufacturers lead the way with methods based training

4.8 million drivers consider changing to motorbikes

Helphire - another senior departure

Auto Refinishers join U-I

Insurance Fraud Bureau - top towns for -crash-for-cash- scams

Financial Ombudsman - publishes annual report

BSI Kitemark standard - Fleet News coverage

More than a quarter of insurance workers fear for jobs

Petrol - the £1 litre returns

Refrigerant handling - advice for ABP members

Transweld Truck Bodies - bankruptcy

Trafford Trailer Repairs Ltd - wound-up - liquidated

PBRC (2008) Ltd (formerly Parkside Body Repair Centre Ltd) - wound-up - liquidated

Leeward Coachbuilders Ltd - wound-up - liquidated

Mole Valley Coachworks Ltd - wound-up - liquidated

Accident Claims Assist Ltd - wound-up - liquidated

Malgraves Coachworks Ltd - creditors meeting

Car Automotive Repairs Ltd (formerly Wilbury Coachworks Ltd) - creditors meeting

Northants Vehicle Refinishers Ltd - creditors meeting

The Body Shop (Leicester) Ltd - creditors meeting

A. Wilcox Motor Bodies Ltd - administrator appointed

A D Legal Services Ltd - administrator appointed

Quinn Insurance - 50m euro loss in 2008 compared to 245m euro profit in 2007

Kitemarked (PAS125) bodyshops – total now 309

Fraud gang get £5m from 300 bogus crash claims

Crash for cash - insurers want tough police action

A fake car crash for £500

Call Zebra joins forces with insurance broker

Synergy - Alan Cottrill (ex Audatex) joins

Audatex - urges motor insurers to focus on total losses

Audatex - ABP Club wants your questions for them

ACEA report - reference to non-OE parts

ACEA - European Automobile Industry Report 2009/10

RMI - !-independent garages need to manage labour and time efficiently-

Motor Trader Awards - Academy is four-midable!

Glass's eSalvage and Elite - link to help dealers with scrappage cars

Audatex - offering manufacturer methods-based training

PAS125 Kitemark - latest newsletter

Motor Trader awards - the 5 bodyshop finalists announced

Ford - new crash test procedures for new technologies

Fleet News article - -Garages 'ripping off' fleets-

NU - bring motor engineers scheduling office back to UK from India

Oil price - hits 6 month high; over $60 barrel

Opel / Vauxhall - 3 formal bids received by deadline

H R Owen - chairmans AGM statement

Wyatt - dealer group in south goes under; bought by Freeborn

Just Car Clinics - AGM update; turnover down 4% in first 4 months

CAP - record number of new car variants

WNS - repairer reductions for Credit Hire / Credit Repair referrals

Chaucer choose Autoglass as preferred glass supplier

Allianz - working with ABP Club to strengthen ties with motor repair industry

GPS / sat nav - system could break down next year says US govt

ABI - director general to leave in November

AIRC - appoints new General Secretary; Tagg appointed to board

Broker Assistance - profile from Daily Telegraph

Elite wins Fleet Efficiency Account

Accident Exchange - shares up 25% today

Helphire - Corrie to leave Swift Prestige Hire

14000th technician achieves national standard of competence

ABP Club meeting - Thatcham 18 June - member invitation

Lookers - management trading update

Porsche / VW merger - under threat

Scrappage scheme - recycling yards call for clarity

Scrappage scheme - Ford and Honda suspend participation due to unclear VAT rules

VAT appeal - Insurancewide wins on internet based insurance commissions