Fleet briefs: Latest from Arval, Autoglass, FleetCheck, FMG Repair Services, Mercia Fleet Management, Steer Automotive, Motus and Novuna Vehicle Solutions

Motus joins Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ approved service network

Motus Commercials has become the latest partner to join Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ approved network of independent and franchised garages.

Following an agreement involving Motus Commercials and Novuna Vehicle Solutions, the DAF Trucks franchise with 34 locations nationwide, will provide service, maintenance and repairs (SMR) services to Novuna’s customers within the partnership.

Novuna Vehicle Solutions’ engineering and network team, working with key suppliers nationwide to establish an approved network of independent and franchised garages, supports Novuna’s operating fleet of more than 109,000 vehicles.

As an approved supplier within Novuna’s specialist customer network, Motus Commercials has been certified as demonstrating the technical and operational excellence to provide swift diagnosis and first-time fix for Novuna’s customer vehicles with adherence to all the necessary safety and compliance standards.

Lucy Line, deputy managing director at Novuna Vehicle Solutions, said: “Our partnership adds further capacity to our service network as we continue to grow our managed fleet of HGV and specialist vehicles.”

Matt Lawrenson, MD of Motus Commercials, added: “We support the customers of Novuna Vehicle Solutions right across our UK Dealership footprint and we look forward to continuing to strengthen our long-standing relationship.”

FMG Repair Services opens new site in Chadderton

FMG Repair Services has opened an accident repair centre in Chadderton, Greater Manchester, which is strategically located to strengthen repair capacity in an area of high demand.

With easy access to the M60 and M62 motorways, the new site has undergone an extensive development programme over the past six months to suit FMG Repair Services’ specific blueprint.

At 27,000 sq. ft, the bodyshop has 35 repair bays, fitted with the latest technology to repair a large range of vehicle types including electrified vehicles and light commercials.

Cosmetic aluminium repair is available at present and specific bays have been allocated for structural aluminium repair in the near future.

Paul Wrigglesworth, operations director at FMG Repair Services, said: “Its exciting to launch another brand new facility and bring additional repair capacity and capability to the Greater Manchester area.

“We’re continually analysing those key developments that are shaping the future of car repair, and all of our new sites have been designed to provide our current and future customers with faster and more efficient services, regardless of fuel type, vehicle body material or next gen technology on board.”

FMG Repair Services opened a new site in Bristol earlier this year, just months after the official opening of its new purpose-built site in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire in October 2023.

The company’s growth plans include investment and upgrade works planned for existing sites as well as purpose developed sites in new locations. 

The business employs more than 1,650 people, with the capability to repair in excess of 100,000 vehicles per annum. 

Arval selects Autoglass as preferred supplier

Autoglass has been chosen as the preferred automotive glazing partner to Arval UK, thanks to its commitment to innovation, service excellence, glass availability and coverage.

Ian Rowlands, commercial director at Autoglass, said: “Arval UK is a forward-thinking organisation with a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible business practices.

“We are excited to be working with Arval, to deliver exceptional service to its customers. Our shared values and goals make this partnership a natural fit.”

FleetCheck becomes approved fleet software supplier for Veriforce Chas

FleetCheck has been named as the approved fleet software supplier for Veriforce Chas.

Veriforce Chas, which helps organisations manage and mitigate risk across a range of areas, has created a new vehicle compliance standard (VCS) that is designed to be applied to SME van and truck operators across the sector.

The VCS is supported by FleetCheck within its core software and accompanying apps, and will enable Veriforce Chas members operating vehicles to easily evidence that they are meeting the new requirements.

Alex Minett, head of global new markets at Veriforce Chas, said: “The new VCS has been developed with National Highways and Driving for Better Business to assist our SME operators in complying with their legal obligations around using a vehicle for work, while ensuring the safety of their employees, customers, and other road users.

“Many tradespeople and organisations offering mobile services do not class themselves as drivers, or as employing drivers. However, it doesn’t matter what type of business is using vehicles or how many they have. If an employee uses a vehicle for work purposes, even to travel to a job or meeting, they have legal responsibilities for, and while driving the vehicle.”

Barrie Wilson, commercial fleet consultant at FleetCheck, added: “What we are offering to Veriforce CHAS members is a core, desktop-based fleet management system linked to apps that allow evidence for compliance to be collected in real world situations, typically by drivers conducting vehicle walkaround checks.

“We know that employers who manage their work-related road risk experience fewer incidents involving their vehicles, less days lost to injury, fewer repairs to their vehicles, reduced running costs and an improved service to their customer.”

Mercia Fleet Management offers free myth-busting EV workshops

Mercia Fleet Management is offering a summer series of myth-busting electric vehicle (EV) workshops designed to put every aspect of running EVs under the microscope.

The workshops, available throughout June and July, will draw on the company’s experience of managing EVs for fleet customers and will aim to address all the current fleet concerns involved in running EVs.

The free 30-minute sessions, which can be physical at a customer’s place of work or virtual, will consider the practicalities of living with an electric car on a 24/7 basis and what the common pitfalls are to avoid, while dispelling some of the myths that still surround EVs.

Each session will look at the practicalities of living with an electric car, sanity-checking manufacturer claims, and myth-busting popular claims by sceptics.

Hosted by Andrew Leech, founder and managing director at Fleet Evolution and head of the Mercia Fleet Management division, the workshops will dissect every aspect of electric car operation from first delivery.

Leech said: “We will also demonstrate how you can introduce EVs to all employees where relevant, and what funding methods, such as salary sacrifice, are most appropriate.

“The sessions will be hosted online, but if you’re based near one of our customers, we can bring the show to you! If you prefer, just let us know and we can come to you with a selection of EVs.”

To book your place in the workshop sessions or to express an interest in holding one at your workplace please, click here. 

Steer Automotive Group expands repair capacity with acquisitions

Steer Automotive Group has acquired Chartwell and M&A Coachworks, repairers the world’s leading vehicle marques. 

The strategic move significantly bolsters Steer's capabilities in the luxury vehicle repair sector, expanding its luxury repair footprint.

Chartwell, established in 1966, and M&A Coachworks, established in 1971, collectively bring over a century of experience and luxury sector repair expertise to Steer Automotive Group.

The two collective organisations hold recommendation and approval for luxury brands such as Porsche, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, McLaren and Maserati.

Chris Brightmore, MD of Chartwell, will remain operationally responsible for the Chartwell business.

At M&A Coachworks, while George Dionisiou steps down as chairman, Dean Dionisiou, sales director and other family members remain in the business with Danny Rota as MD.

Richard Steer, chief executive of the Steer Automotive Group, said: “I am delighted to welcome Chartwell and M&A Coachworks, along with their talented teams.

“This acquisition significantly broadens our presence in the luxury sector and reinforces our dedication to superior automotive services.”