Bodyshops have been given renewed focus by the Retail Motor Industry Federation.

Its executive committee has voted today to give the RMI’s bodyshop service division its own executive committee and with it full independent sector status.

The move means the division will have new powers, including making decisions on policy, services and structure autonomously.

Tony Lowe, owner of Impact Repair Centre in Birmingham, and a member of the RMIF board in his capacity as regional representative for the Midlands, has been announced interim chairman of BSD and he will be responsible for establishing the executive committee and support group.

“The body repair sector stands at a crossroads. Years of falling profits, under-investment in skills and technology, all driven by constant and mounting pressure from insurers to cut costs, have brought us to this point. Today's announcement by the board has put us on the right road, the road that will lead to stronger representation for body repairers,” he said.