Month: March 2025

Preventing distracted driving

How can OEMs deliver crucial data and information to drivers without impacting attention and safety? Driving distractions are a growing concern in modern transportation. In the UK alone, distracted driving caused 458 fatalities in 2022 – a 51% increase compared to deaths caused by speeding. Meanwhile, in the US distracted driving accounts for over 3,000 deaths annually. Full story

MINI Cooper Electric and Audi A6 e‑tron gain five-star ratings

The latest results from Euro NCAP’s new car safety tests show that when it comes to choosing a safe car, size isn’t everything. The latest Mini Cooper E and Audi A6 e-tron were awarded a maximum five-star Euro NCAP rating, illustrating how size and cost is no barrier when it comes to choosing a safe car. Full story

Mobility for everyone: with the ID. EVERY1, Volkswagen is providing a preview of an entry-level electric model

Since the Beetle, Volkswagen has been enabling affordable mobility for millions of people with compact and likeable cars. With the ID. EVERY1 concept car, the German car manufacturer is now showing an entry-level all-electric model. Volkswagen will launch the production version in 2027 – with a starting price of around 20,000 euros. Full story

EVs account for one in four new car registrations in flat February market

The UK new car market fell slightly in February, down -1.0% to 84,054 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Electrified vehicle uptake continued to grow, with plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) rising 19.3% and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) up 7.9%. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations were up by 41.7% to 21,244 units, securing a 25.3% market share compared with 17.7% a year ago. Full story

Electric vans up as overall market contracts in February

Demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by 19.3% in February to 14,476 units, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The third consecutive monthly decline led to the month’s lowest outturn since 2020. Full story

Hyundai pairs up with Yandex spinoff Avride to develop robotaxis

Hyundai Motor Company and Avride have agreed to jointly develop autonomous vehicles in a tie up that will deepen the relationship between the two companies. Full story

In a class of its own – here is the all-new, fully electric Volvo ES90

Volvo has unveiled its first fully electric model that’s not an SUV. Priced at £69,000, the ES90 hatchback has a range well in excess of 400 miles. The Swedish brand is positioning the 5m-long ES90 as its technological flagship, thanks to a series of advanced features and mighty computing power that will allow it to be extensively updated and refreshed over the air with new, additional features during its lifetime. Full story

Women in automotive spotlight: Can you identify any challenges you’ve overcome as a woman in this industry?

The women in our industry face challenges unique to them, but their ability to turn obstacles into opportunities is nothing short of inspiring.

At the NBRA, we’re proud to showcase women who have not only built successful careers but have become leaders and mentors, helping shape the future of automotive repair. Full story

Industry leaders collaborate to develop new sustainability standard

As the automotive industry faces growing environmental pressures, a number of leading companies have united to create a new sustainability standard following the planned phase-out of PAS2060.

The initiative, known as ARIES (Accident Repair Industry Environmental Standard), is designed to provide a structured, measurable, and inclusive framework for reducing carbon emissions across the vehicle repair sector. Full story

NWVA makes new appointment to SVR team

Following the success of supporting Police forces across the country in recovering stolen vehicles, NWVA recently launched their dedicated Stolen Vehicle Recovery division – designed to alleviate pressure on the Police whilst expediting the speedy and safe return of stolen vehicles.

Joining the team in heading up ‘SVR’, is Phil Pentelow, who has 18 years’ experience working for Essex Police, the last five spent on the Stolen Vehicle Intelligence Unit (SVIU). This work included stolen vehicle examination, tracking and recovery. Full story

ACSO calls for root and branch review of OIC Claims Portal

The Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO), which represents consumers in the civil justice system, has called for a government review to determine the success or failure of a raft of recent personal injury legal reforms. The call comes as the Official Injury Claim portal (OIC), which processes minor injury claims worth less than £5,000, approaches its fourth birthday, with more than one million claims submitted and around 300,000 processed. Full story

Motor insurance premiums continue to slow and home insurance premiums fall for third consecutive month

The latest General Insurance Price Index from Pearson Ham Group for February 2025 shows that motor insurance premiums continued to decline, but at a slower pace. Prices fell by 0.9%, marking the smallest monthly decrease in the past 12 months and bringing the annual movement rate to -19.3%. Full story

Call to close drug-driving roadside test loophole

The government is being urged to update drug-driving legislation and allow police to take evidential saliva tests at the roadside. Currently, if a driver tests positive at the roadside, police must obtain an evidential blood sample, which is not always possible. Even when it is, there can be a delay of up to six months before results return from the laboratory, during which time the offender remains free to drive. Full story

Could self-healing asphalt end the UK’s pothole problem?

Self-healing asphalt roads, created from biomass waste and developed with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, could be used to tackle the UK’s pothole crisis.

A research team comprised of experts from Swansea University, King’s College London, and scientists in Chile are designing a new type of self-repairing asphalt that can repair its own cracks without the need for human intervention or maintenance. Full story

Motorists applaud government’s decision to abandon Graduated Driver Licensing for young adults

New research conducted by training and compliance expert TTC, found that 60% of adults it surveyed welcomed the Government’s decision to abandon plans for a graduated driver licensing (GDL). The scheme would have placed a set of restrictions on new drivers aged 17-24, who have recently passed their practical test for an initial period of time. Full story

EV battery services centre to open in Rugby

Cox Automotive and DHL Supply Chain have teamed up to deliver a large scale battery management and maintenance operation in the UK, with the opening of a dedicated space for battery services within DHL’s 146,000-square-foot EV Centre of Excellence in Rugby, UK. Full story

New car appetite ramps up ahead of key selling month as Auto Trader reports record start to 2025

The latest data from Auto Trader points to a promising month ahead for the new car market with the automotive platform reporting a significant rise in interest from consumers for brand new cars. Visits to its new car platform increased 15% month-on-month (MoM) in February, whilst year-on-year (YoY) it jumped by a massive 23%. Full story