News 8 www.aftermarketonline.net NOVEMBER 2024 LKQ UK & Ireland employees have been praised by Ukraine for donating and delivering aid to the war-torn nation. Eduard Fesko, deputy chief of mission at Ukraine’s embassy in the UK, thanked the group on a visit to LKQ’s Tamworth headquarters with local MPs Rachel Taylor and Sarah Edwards. The visitors were introduced to employees that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to raise funds and to deliver aid to Ukraine. They included LKQ demand planner Dawid Kozlowski, who has coordinated the delivery of more than 200 tonnes of aid since 2022, including 34 ambulances and more than £6,000 worth of prescription medicine. Kozlowski also led LKQ UK & Ireland’s efforts to send more than 1,000 Christmas presents to children across nine Ukrainian cities, with each gift specifically purchased and sent in response to requests from individual children. He was recognised with a volunteer award at 2023’s BBC CWR Make a Difference Awards. ‘Amazing’ Fresko said: “We are forever grateful to management and staff of the LKQ UK & Ireland, and communities in Tamworth and Leamington Spa, for engaging early with the humanitarian effort and carrying on delivering aid to people in need as the war approaches its third winter.” Richard Morgan, executive board adviser at LKQ UK & Ireland, said: “It’s been amazing to see colleagues from all over the country come together and make a real difference. “Some have driven ambulances full of aid and handed them over to our colleagues in LKQ Elit, who have ensured they are delivered to those most in need. “From providing aid relief to Ukraine to supporting our industry charity Ben and local community sports teams, we’re committed as a business to give colleagues the opportunity to support causes that are important to them.” Meanwhile, LKQ recently completed its second annual business-wide ‘Summer of FUNdraising’ campaign. This year, a team of colleagues drove an ambulance the length and breadth of the 280-strong LKQ Euro Car Parts branch network, raising more than £140,000 for charities, including the Ukraine relief effort, over the last two years. Ukraine praises aid from LKQ champions The Institute of the Motor Industry has warned of what it said is a dangerous shortfall in the number of technicians qualified to repair and maintain vehicles featuring ADAS systems. Latest IMI analysis indicated that 13% of vehicles currently have some degree of autonomy. However, the organisation said on September 14 that just 2% of the technicians in the UK (4,425 individuals) are IMI TechSafe registered and qualified to work safely on servicing, repairing and maintaining these complex and potentially life-saving systems. IMI executive chair Kevin Finn said: “The proportion of ADAS-equipped vehicles has grown from 11% in January 2024 to 13% in July, yet there has not been a similar increase in the proportion of ADAS-trained technicians. “As the proportion of vehicles featuring ADAS accelerates, ahead of the introduction of fully automated vehicles, it is critical that more technicians are trained to work on vehicles with this technology.” ‘Catastrophic’ With ADAS the precursor for fully automated vehicles, following the Automated Vehicles Bill 2024 becoming law last May, the IMI is keen to see future legislation take into account the skills required to meet the maintenance and repair needs of the growing ADAS car parc. As drivers become more reliant on ADAS safety features, the risks when failures occur increase dramatically. For example, when lane departure warnings or emergency braking fail at high speed, the outcome could be catastrophic, the IMI said. When vehicles are serviced, many drivers falsely believe the ADAS systems are checked, so they do not seek out specialist checks and maintenance, unwittingly putting themselves and other road users at risk. The IMI launched level 2 and level 3 ADAS qualifications in 2022 and the TechSafe recognition programme provides independent assessment and recognition of the technical competence of technicians working in the UK automotive sector. IMI TechSafe identifies a member’s professionalism and safe working practice in the field of EVs and other safety-critical vehicle systems such as ADAS. IMI warning over ADAS technicians shortfall
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