Thursday 6 February 2025 at epyx, Meriden – EV battery repair and solutions, DCA practical tips and market update
- Ashley Minors of Boswell Aftermarket on the technology behind electric vehicle battery repair, as well as trends in the wider motor insurance sector (00:14:30)
- David Gray from Cox Automotive’s covers EV Battery Solutions discusses emerging in-life services (00:35:01)
- Anthea Coulter at Equiniti on the practical aspects of managing discretionary commission arrangements for the remarketing sector (01:17:30)
- Chris Plumb, of cap hpi provides an overview of the current state of the new and used car market (01:46:10)
The full recording of this meeting can be accessed anytime here: https://bit.ly/VRA060225
Thursday 20 March 2025 at Bruntingthorpe Leicestershire – Grading, AI and CARA partnership
- Paul Hill of the National Association of Motor Auctions on the van grading programme, the economics of investing in vehicles to meet higher gradings, and the latest in conversion rates and stocking costs. (00:17:52)
- Q&A discussion: Peter Lawton of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders discusses the latest data on the most common reasons for MOT failures and the implications for the remarketing sector. (00:52:20)
- Marc Thornborough of Auto Trader will provide a detailed examination of the current new and used car markets. (01:19:00)
- Panel discussion: AI in vehicle appraisal including Adrian Kelly of Cox Automotive, Phil Deegan of PAVE and Simon Jackson of VQS. (01:43:53)
- Car Remarketing Association Europe (CARA) announcement – Luis Maria Perez-Serrano, chairman of the board, CARA. (02:06:30)
The full recording of this meeting can be accessed anytime here: https://bit.ly/VRA200325
Thursday 15 May 2025 at Bruntingthorpe Leicestershire – Logistics, vehicle refurbishment and storage
- Logistics panel discussion: Nick Chadaway, managing director of DMN Group and Roger Evans, COO of Engineius. (00:06:14)
- Refurbishment and storage panel discussion: Craig Bithray, Director, Manheim Vehicle Services, Phil Walker, operations director at BCA and James Hopkins, managing director at DMN Rapid Logistics. (00:40:31)
- Matthew Croucher, chief economist in the public policy and vehicle legislation department at the SMMT, on the government’s recent changes to the Zero Emissions Vehicle Mandate. (01:30:57)
- New and used car market trends – Phill Jones, chief operating officer at MOTORS and Derren Martin, representing Percayso. (02:05:25)
The full recording of this meeting can be accessed anytime here: https://bit.ly/VRA150325
Thursday 04 July 2025 at BCA Birmingham – AGM, Automotive retail sector, AI and market update
- Annual General Meeting
- The state of the UK automotive retail sector: Omar Mirza, managing director and Kevin Lamb, senior director, global automotive consultancy Alvarez and Marsal. (00:26:25)
- Panel discussion on factors affecting automotive retail: Omar Mirza, managing director, Alvarez and Marsal; Mike Allen, managing director of Cambria Private Capital and Mike Jones of Fresh Track Holdings. (00:42:19)
- AI tools and remarketing: Oliver Philpott, co-founder of battery health check specialist and new VRA member Generational. (01:13:42)
- New and used car market: Chris Plumb, head of current car valuations at cap hpi. (01:47:55)
- About CARA – the Car Remarketing Association of Europe: Grainne van Berkum, president of OPENLANE Europe. (02:11:37)
The full recording of this meeting can be accessed anytime here: https://bit.ly/VRA030725
Wednesday 24 September 2025 at Toyota Burnaston – Three to five-year-old car and van stock shortage
- Toyota introduction – Chris Barrow, corporate planning & external affairs, Toyota (00:03:35)
- Insights into the latest leasing trends, government’s electric vehicle grants and the strategies manufacturers are adopting in response to these grants: Mike Fazal, CEO, Leasing.com (00:24:14)
- How to handle current shortages of three-five-year-old car stock: Nick Press, finance and leasing development director, Auto Trader (00:58:45)
- Panel discussion Nick Press, finance and leasing development director at Auto Trader; Martin Cleaver, group trade disposal manager at Sytner; and Melissa Seckington, head of corporate sales at Wilsons Auctions (01:17:00)
- Discretionary Commission Arrangement update – Jonathan Butler, VRA legal counsel and partner, Dispute Resolution Midlands, Geldards (01:39:23)
- Operational and practical impact of the Supreme Court – Anthea Coulter, account director of Equiniti (01:56:30)
- New and used car market trends – Rupert Pontin, head of insight and communications, Brego (02:21:45)
The full recording of this meeting can be accessed anytime here: https://bit.ly/VRA240925