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News Technology

Autonomous vehicle simulation validation now possible on UK public roads

For the first time, the transport industry will be able to accurately correlate simulated testing of autonomous vehicles on public roads in the UK. This paves the way for simulation to become a recognised part of the approval process for autonomous vehicles. This capability has been achieved thanks to a project between simulation software specialist rFpro and WMG, at the University of Warwick.

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Motorsport News

Reconnecting and Restoring the Motorsport Industry

2020 has seen huge challenges for businesses in the motorsport and high-performance engineering sector and the coming weeks will see unprecedented changes taking place at speed. Agile companies in the motorsport community are adapting each day, allowing them to seize new opportunities within motorsport and across adjacent sectors. On the 3 November 2020 the MIA will deliver an online event dedicated to helping businesses restore and regrow during this difficult period.

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Aftermarket, Brand strategy comms and planning, News, Product launches and PR News Product launches and PR

Rayvolt UK turns loop on to power e-Bike awareness

E-Bike company Rayvolt UK has teamed with advanced automotive PR agency loop in a new approach to promoting its distinctive range of premium electrically assisted bicycles.

As COVID accelerates change in the UK’s travel and commuting habits, Rayvolt UK offers stylish mobility for people who strive to reduce their environmental impact.

From its base at Bicester Motion, Oxfordshire, loop will be raising awareness of Rayvolt UK’s range of ultra-modern yet retro-styled e-Bikes.

With demand for two-wheel carriers, including e-Bikes, taking off in cities and large towns, the ability for media to experience the bikes in a safe environment as well as on local rural and urban roads provides a far more engaging form of validation.

Research shows* that bicycles, electric bicycles and electric scooters are looking increasingly attractive, as people look to use their cars less and shy away from the confinement of public transport. Approximately 20% of city dwellers surveyed are interested in an electric bike reflecting what is a growing demand for ‘green’ personal mobility.

“As the country gets to grips with the long-term effects of COVID-19, there’s a shift in how people will travel in cities, and the concept of socially responsible alternatives is really gaining traction,” said Rayvolt UK’s Managing Director, Graham Kresfelder. “Demand for e-Bikes is growing fast and Rayvolt UK is a challenger brand in a largely colourless market.

loop’s base at Bicester Motion offers the perfect location to host and demonstrate the range of e-Bikes and allows media to really understand them in realistic conditions. We wanted a different approach, and working with loop means we can really show Rayvolt UK’s relevance and the importance of e-Bikes as personal or micromobility devices.”

Instead of viewing e-Bikes as appliances, Rayvolt UK provides vehicles that are enjoyable to own and experience. With a clean-sheet design and smartphone-app integration, each is hand-finished before delivery and can be personalised with a range of accessories and bespoke services. With a focus on quality, its e-Bikes use the highest quality components and engineering and provides the very best customer care from a UK-based service centre. 

Automotive PR agency loop is based in the Heritage Quarter at Bicester Motion, which is set to become an incomparable automotive and aviation experience destination. Allowing visitors to become fully immersed in the full breadth of automotive culture, it will cover everything from the existing on-site historic vehicle specialists (at Bicester Heritage) through to future electric and autonomous technology.

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News

SYNETIQ appoints automotive PR specialist agency loop

The largest automotive salvage and vehicle recycling company in the UK, SYNETIQ, has appointed communications agency loop to support its B2B and B2C PR activity.

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Electric and Hybrid Vehicles News Technology

SYNETIQ Winsford – a centre of excellence for EV recycling

  • SYNETIQ to enhance Winsford site with investment in EV processing
  • Builds on company’s industry leading expertise in vehicle recycling
  • Investment in facilities coincides with UK Government EV announcement
  • Part of company’s review of regional operations including Nantwich site
  • SYNETIQ already geared to handle the wave of EV’s coming to UK PARC

SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest vehicle salvage and recycling company, has announced its intention to expand and invest in its Winsford site, as the UK gears up for a shift to purely electric vehicles from 2035.

The planning of a significant investment is now underway, and will see the Winsford site in Cheshire become the home of SYNETIQ’s new cutting-edge facility for processing electric vehicles (EVs) – the first of its kind in Europe. With the announcement of a ban on all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, the move will support the company’s ambition to drive sustainability, innovation, compliance and customer experience agendas, whilst delivering great value for clients.

In addition to the bespoke EV Processing capability, there will also be further investment in facilities including concreting, large-scale racking systems, purpose-built depollution facilities, as well as remodelled premium dismantling and parts and EV Battery storage facilities. Winsford will still operate as a premium salvage and online auction site.

SYNETIQ Winsford - a centre of excellence for EV recycling

SYNETIQ already has specialist equipment and processes in place to handle EVs and hybrids, while maximising safety and compliance. New recycling processes are also in development, alongside additional logistics capabilities to futureproof the business. Over 50 colleagues are trained to handle EV and Hybrid vehicles safely, and further training and investment is scheduled to upskill SYNETIQs team.

The scope of the development will see the site become the UK’s leader in handling the technically advanced vehicles of tomorrow and follows a £500k investment in EV handling capabilities already completed at Gloucester, SYNETIQs flagship South West site.

As part of changes the company’s Nantwich site will close by Spring 2021, with most employees migrating to the flagship Winsford site. This announcement of SYNETIQs commitment to expansion in the North West is in line with its business strategy, shared earlier this year. Concentrating rising vehicle volumes through fewer, but larger, well-invested and strategically located sites, will provide the capacity for future growth and increase efficiency.

SYNETIQ has already begun the successful implementation of this strategy in Scotland and the South West in 2020, as well as investment into new sites across the South East. Working to an ethos of: Reduce, Reuse, Reman and Recycle, SYNETIQ takes an integrated approach to ensuring how vehicles are assessed and either put back on the road or dismantled for parts. This ensures maximum reuse and minimal environmental impact – and supplies vital, cost effective and environmentally sustainable original components to the repair sector.

John Schofield, Executive Director of SYNETIQ says: “I am so proud of how the business I started back in 1974 has gone from strength to strength. I have always moved with the times and what our clients and customers want: this investment and commitment to our base in Cheshire is the next chapter of a very exciting story for SYNETIQ”.

Planning and consultation with colleagues will continue for the rest of the year before the expansion plans are executed in the new year.

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Engineering Event design and management Motorsport News Product launches and PR Technology

Airspeeder – the new flying motorsport for the 21st century

Airspeeder – a radical new airborne motorsport for the 21st century – will make its global public debut at this week’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, the world’s largest automotive garden party.