Author: Mark Hadaway

Senior analyst joins ARC360 line-up

Matthew Freeman, Managing Consultant at Solera cap hpi is the latest key name added to ARC360’s ‘future vehicle technology’ themed event agenda.

Taking place on Thursday 27 June 2024 at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, ARC360 is supported by Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Copart, Entegral, Enterprise, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Assistance, S&G Response, Solera Audatex; along with Partners: Gemini ARC, Repairify and Prasco.

The specialist event is sponsored by Activate Group and Thatcham Research along with Stellantis which will host the ‘Stellantis Zone’ on the day.

Miguel & David heading to Worldskills

Miguel Harvey and David McKeown have been named as part of the Team UK Worldskills Lyon 2024 squad. Miguel, employed and trained by Steer Automotive will compete in the Car Painting competition, whilst David working for James McKeown Accident Repair and trained by Riverpark Training will take part in the Autobody Repair section.

Report published to support AV Bill

Thatcham Research and Association of British Insurers have published a joint report on insurance requirements for Automated Vehicles (AVs) as the landmark Automated Vehicles Bill 2024 approaches Royal Assent.

To support the Bill progress through the Houses of Parliament, and the creation of subsequent secondary legislation, Thatcham Research and the Association of British Insurers (ABI) collaborated on the ‘Insurer Requirements for Automated Vehicles’ report, offering industry expertise and strategic recommendations.

It details four key asks from the UK motor insurance industry required for AVs to be safe and insurable in the UK: Safety First; Visibility; Data Access; and Cyber security.

IMI urges skills understanding

With the Automated Vehicles Bill 2024 set to receive Royal Assent, the Institute of the Motor Industry believes there is still work to be done to ensure the funding is available for the upskilling required to work on and calibrate automated vehicles for safe use. 

The IMI’s latest data shows that at the end of March 2024 there were 4,150 technicians qualified to work on vehicles with level 2 autonomy, representing just 2% of all UK technicians. Level 2 autonomy is the pre-cursor to fully automated vehicles and currently 12% of the UK car parc features some form of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

Sales tick up for 21st straight month

Car sales edged up by one per cent in April to 134,274 units, completing 21 consecutive months of growth.

According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), sales to fleets surged by 18.5% but private buyer uptake fell by 17.7%.

Enterprise Mobility highlighted for DEI

Fairygodboss, the largest online career community for women to find jobs, advice, and support has listed Enterprise Mobility as one of 13 companies that make diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) a priority.

Motor insurance complaints more than double next product line

New figures from the Financial Conduct Authority have revealed that complaints received about motor insurers have risen by 18.2% in the last year.

Customers made more than 280,000 complaints about motor insurance over the second half of 2023, up from a little under 240,000 for the same period in 2022.

Wayve receives $1bn automated driving backing

Wayve, a market leader in Embodied Artificial Intelligence (AI) for autonomous driving, has announced the successful closure of $1.05bn in Series C funding.

The round was led by SoftBank Group, with contributions from new investor NVIDIA and existing investor Microsoft. This investment will accelerate Wayve’s mission to reimagine autonomous mobility through embodied intelligence.

Plunkys All Stars break £15k barrier

Support from the Vella Group – amongst many others – has helped take this year’s Plunkys All Stars fundraising total to beyond the £15,000 barrier.

The charity football match will take place on 28 June at the Football Development Centre in Norwich, raising valuable funds for Norfolk and Waveney MIND, East Anglian Air Ambulance and the Fire Fighters Charity.

Volvo sales up 27% in April

Volvo Cars reports global sales of 65,838 cars, up 27% compared to the same period last year. The sales increase was primarily driven by a strong performance in Europe as well as the company’s fully electric small SUV, the EX30.

The company’s electrified models, with a fully electric or plug-in hybrid powertrain, grew 53 per cent compared to the same period last year and accounted for 48% of all cars sold during April. The share of fully electric cars constituted 26% for the month.

NIO announces ONVO

Global smart electric vehicle company, NIO has announced at the ceremony celebrating the production of 500,000 vehicles that its second brand ONVO will make its global debut on 15 May.

According to the company, ONVO’s first model L60 is a family-centric smart BEV in the same segment as Tesla Model Y, and promises to ‘redefine the standards of family cars’.

People

• Direct Line Group has announced three new appointments to its Executive Committee. Craig Thornton will be appointed Managing Director Home and Growth, Martin Milliner as Managing Director of Claims and Hugh Hessing as Chief Operating Officer.
• Allianz has promoted Caroline Johnson to Claims Director in the company’s personal lines business, while Nicola George has taken over from Mike Crane as Managing Director.
• Jane Pocock, CEO of Copart UK & Ireland, has been recognised in the 2024 Autocar Great Women Top 100, celebrating the most influential women in the British car industry today.
• The MIB has announced Angus Eaton as its new CEO, taking over from Dominic Clayden in July.
• Charlotte Stafford has been appointed as Customer Experience Advisor at Steer Automotive Group.
• Ron Morris has taken up a new role as Head of Corporate, Fleet and Remarketing at VinFast UK.