Category: Finance

Unprecedented EV discounting shores up September new car market

The UK new car market rose 1.0% in the key ‘74’ plate change month of September, to 275,239 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In what is traditionally a bumper month for new car registrations, second only to March, the performance was the best since 2020, but still -19.8% off pre-Covid September 2019. Read more

Silverlake supports emergency services’ ‘Festival of Rescue’

Silverlake Automotive Recycling was a main supporter of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) when they hosted the UK’s biggest and most prestigious rescue competition on 27, 28 September. Expert teams of firefighters from 28 UK fire services and three international teams came to Portsmouth and Eastleigh to take part in the United Kingdom Rescue Organisation (UKRO) ‘Festival of Rescue’. Read more

Taking the partnership approach

Repairify Australia’s Global Director of Innovations Martin Brown has explained how partnering with Repairify gives collision repair workshops access to a comprehensive suite of OE tools, without the need for significant upfront investments. Read more

DCR Systems unveils PaintMatic

DCR Systems has introduced the PaintMatic, another cutting-edge machine crafted by its talented team in Portsmouth. It joins existing products H2O Blaster and DCR Pro. Read more

Nottingham College hosts ADAS course

Notttingham College recently hosted the IMI AOM230 accreditation course, designed for technicians working with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) at Emtec College. The event was supported by Gemini ARC. Read more

Wales to host WorldSkills UK National Finals 2025

Venues across South Wales will host the annual WorldSkills UK Competition Finals from the 25 – 28 November, 2025.  This marks the first time the event has been held in Wales. Read more

Leasys UK launches Accident Management and Fleet Safety services

Leasys UK has partnered with FMG to provide accident management and fleet safety services to its corporate customers. Available either as a combined service or separately, the new offerings will be available to corporate fleet customers with 25 vehicles or more, enhancing Leasys’ comprehensive fleet management solution. Read more

Leapmotor International opens orders in Europe

Designated Stellantis brand vehicle dealers throughout Europe are now playing a greater role in offering consumers clean, safe and affordable mobility by taking orders for Leapmotor fully electric vehicles, with deliveries set for later this year. The launch of dealer orders is a milestone for Leapmotor International, the 51:49 joint venture between Stellantis and Leapmotor. Read more

First images of Renault 4 E-Tech 100% Electric revealed

Renault has unveiled details of the Renault 4 E-Tech 100% electric’s exterior, in the buildup to its reveal during the Paris Motor Show on 14 October. Read more

Hyundai Motor hits major milestone with 100 million vehicles produced globally

Hyundai Motor Company celebrated a significant milestone, marking 100 million units of global cumulative production. This achievement was accomplished in just 57 years since the company’s foundation. Read more

BMW M Mixed Reality: New features to enhance the digital driving experience

The BMW Group is expanding its revolutionary driving experience with BMW M Mixed Reality, which breaks down the boundaries between the physical and virtual worlds through state-of-the-art VR/MR technologies. The vehicle itself becomes the controller – a unique 3D interaction between driver, vehicle and environment. Read more

New Vehicle Risk Rating model launching to help insurers keep pace with new and emerging vehicle risks 

Thatcham Research, the insurer funded global leader in automotive risk intelligence, announces the launch of the new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system to improve the accuracy of vehicle insurability assessments. Developed with the motor insurance industry, this new model introduces a more comprehensive and dynamic framework for evaluating vehicle risks, evolving the longstanding Group Rating system. Read more

Sharing vehicle data: let’s not reinvent the wheel 

There are over 20 existing EU regulations governing the sharing of data from connected vehicles. These rules already allow consumers full control over their data while providing a fair and balanced system for third-party access. Despite the current load of regulations, the EU is gearing up to introduce yet another one. Read more

Copart Recognised for Setting the Standard for Roadside Safety 

Copart has received the IVR Roadside Safety Award 2024 in recognition of our commitment and innovative approach to training, setting standards, and leading by example when it comes to roadside safety. Read more

BSI launches Flex 1886 v2.0 

BSI has introduced the second version of BSI Flex 1886 System aspects for remote operation of vehicles – Guide. This updated guide offers practical insights on developing and managing remote operation systems for automated vehicles on public roads and in public spaces. Read more

NWVA welcomes more charity sponsors

AirPro Diagnostics, Campana Gardens and RH Bodyworks are the latest sponsors of the Bob Linwood Memorial Trophy Football Match taking place at The London Stadium on Tuesday 15 October 2024. The latest names join sponsors including: Copart, Entegral, JR Revell, RH Prestige Cars, Expedient Security, Boniface Engineering, AUGGIE, Vision Vehicles and Orbital Repair Solutions. The event is raising funds for DEBRA. Read more

Prime Minister overhauls apprenticeships to support opportunity 

The government is boosting opportunities for young people through ambitious apprenticeship reforms in England. 

The Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson have announced a new growth and skills levy which will replace the existing apprenticeship levy and include new foundation apprenticeships. Read more

316 stolen vehicles recovered in intensification week 

The first intensification week as part of national policing’s Operation Alliances to tackle serious organised vehicle crime has concluded with 316 stolen vehicles recovered with an estimated value of over £4m. 

The stolen vehicles included cars, motorcycles, lorries, scrap vehicles and various vehicle parts linked to thefts were also recovered. Read more

RAC and Continental Automotive launch exclusive telematics partnership for fleet and business vehicle operators 

The RAC’s dedicated telematics division, RAC Connected, is offering business vehicle operators a safer and more efficient method of fleet management through a new partnership with Continental Automotive. 

In a first-of-its-kind collaboration, Continental Automotive customers can choose from the RAC’s suite of telematics products, all of which help fleet managers reduce vehicle running costs. Read more

New figures reveal that more than a fifth of MOTs were failed last year 

According to analysis of Government figures by motoring research charity the RAC Foundation, more than one in five vehicle MOT tests in Britain ended in failure last year. 

The data revealed that more than 9.9 million out of the 43.7 million MOT tests carried out by mechanics in 2023 were unsuccessful. Read more

Annual increases in quoted car insurance premiums slow to 9.8% 

Price rises for car insurance are continuing to slow, but motorists still face an annual rise of 9.8% in average quoted premiums, according to the latest Consumer Intelligence Car Insurance Price Index. 

However, most of the increase occurred between August last year and December, with average quoted premiums remaining unchanged over the past three months. Read more

Insurance industry detects £1bn worth of fraudulent claims 

Cracking down on insurance fraud remains a top priority for the industry according to the Association of British Insurers (ABI) as its latest figures reveal £1.1bn worth of fraudulent claims were detected last year, up four per cent on 2022. Read more

Hyundai Motor, Kia and Samsung Electronics Join Forces to Advance SDV User Experience 

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation announced a strategic technology partnership with Samsung Electronics to enhance the integration between software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and smartphones, aiming to secure a leading position in the mobility service ecosystem. Read more

High Mobility integrates Volkswagen Group vehicle data 

High Mobility is an authorised data marketplace partner for Volkswagen Group Info Services. This partnership provides access to a wide range of live vehicle data, including mileage, consumption, geolocation, and vehicle maintenance information, supporting various use cases. With all major European brands available, the High Mobility platform is the ideal access point for next-generation fleet operations and advanced fleet management solutions. Read more

Canoo launches commercial operations and activation centre in UK 

Canoo Inc, a high-tech advanced mobility company, has announced the company’s official launch into the United Kingdom market by establishing Canoo Technologies UK Limited, a new legal entity in the UK, marking a significant milestone in the company’s global expansion strategy. Canoo has selected Bicester Motion, an iconic automotive campus, as a key location that reflects the company’s spirit of innovation and commitment to sustainability. Read more

Hyundai Motor Company and Škoda Group to Collaborate on Hydrogen Advancement and Energy Efficient Solutions for Mobility 

Hyundai Motor Company and Škoda Group have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to commence collaboration on establishing a hydrogen mobility ecosystem. 

Ken Ramírez, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Commercial Vehicle and Hydrogen Business at Hyundai Motor Company, and Petr Novotný, CEO of Škoda Group, signed the MOU during the Korea-Czech Republic Business Summit in Prague. Read more

New study highlights green benefits of repair and reuse strategy

A study commissioned by VRA Certification in collaboration with certified recycler SYNETIQ, an IAA company, has confirmed the significant environmental advantages of repairing damaged vehicles using green parts sourced in the UK. The study, titled ‘Repair, Reuse, Replace’ was also in association with Allianz SE, Oakdene Hollins, and Metsims Environmental Consulting. Read more

IMI warns of dangerous shortage in ADAS-qualified techs

New analysis from The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has revealed that just two per cent of UK technicians are qualified to repair and maintain vehicles featuring Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS).

ADAS-equipped vehicles now account for 13% of the UK car parc, but there are just 4,425 individuals that are IMI TechSafe registered to work on them. Read more

European auto industry calls for urgent action as demand for EVs declines

A continuous trend of shrinking market share for battery electric cars in the EU sends an extremely worrying signal to industry and policymakers. European auto manufacturers, united in ACEA, therefore call on the EU institutions to come forward with urgent relief measures before new CO2 targets for cars and vans come into effect in 2025. Read more

NWVA welcomes more charity sponsors

Nationwide Vehicle Assistance (NWVA) has welcomed a host of new sponsors for its charity football game, the Bob Linwood Memorial Trophy Football Match. Entegral and Orbital Repair Solutions have joined the list of sponsors including Copart, JR Revell, RH Prestige Cars, Expedient Security, Boniface Engineering, AUGGIE and Vision Vehicles. Read more

IMI seeks industry input in NOS reviews

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is inviting industry input in a series of National Occupational Standards (NOS) reviews. The IMI announced in the summer that it is reviewing the following standards: Maintenance and Repair – Light Vehicle; Mechanical Electrical and Trim (MET); and Core Automotive – Health & safety. Read more

Cap hpi data finds EVs written off at half the rate of ICE models

Analysis from cap hpi has found that electric vehicles are written off at less than half the rate of petrol and diesel models. The study, which looked at data from 2015 to August 2024, revealed that just 0.9% of EVs under five years old have been written off. This compares to 1.89% of petrol and diesel vehicles. Read more

Mirka’s new €25m investment, first of its kind in the world

Mirka is continuing its journey as a market shaper and leading the whole abrasives industry by building an innovative circular grain manufacturing plant in Jeppo, Finland. The investment will reduce Mirka’s CO₂ footprint by approximately 5,000 tons and the first circular abrasive products will be launched during 2026. Read more

Roadside assistance and vehicle recovery operators can now apply for permission to use red flashing lamps

RAC has welcomed news that road assistance and recovery operators can now apply for permission to use red flashing lamps on their vehicles. RAC chief operating officer Dom Shorrocks said: “This is a landmark day for the roadside assistance industry as being able to use red flashing lamps will unequivocally improve the visibility of roadside workers and help save lives.” Read more

Campaign launched to reclaim ‘drive safely’ to save under 25s from life-changing crashes

As a new wave of young drivers take to the road this school year, new claims data on serious injuries from Admiral Car Insurance reveals crashes involving young drivers are ‘still too high’. Admiral’s own data shows drivers under the age of 25 are nearly twice as likely to make a claim for a crash involving a serious injury than a driver over 25. Read more

US: CLEPA joins call for independent operators’ ‘Right to Repair’

CLEPA, along with other sector associations, have co-signed a statement calling for independent operators’ ‘Right to Repair’ at their meeting during Automechanika 2024. The call centres on an urgent need for a fair level-playing field and robust legislative backing to address the rising competitive advantage by OEMs controlling the data generated by vehicles. Read more

How batteries will drive the zero-emission truck trans

Road freight vehiclesaccount for a significant share of global CO₂ emissions. Hence, minimizing their carbon footprint is a vital step toward achieving global climate targets. Over the past decade, governments, fleet operators, and truck OEMs have realized this need for action and have gone to significant lengths to make this positive change happen. Read more

Powerfleet Announces Strategic Acquisition of Fleet Complete

Powerfleet, a leading provider of AIoT SaaS solutions for the mobile asset industry, has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement providing for the strategic acquisition of Fleet Complete, a prominent player in connected vehicle technology and fleet management. Read more

UK recalls 10 times higher than in 1994

The rate of vehicle recalls has surged tenfold in the last 30 years, according to data from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) analysed by The Car Expert.

It found that nearly 1.2 million vehicles from 41 different manufactures have been recalled to date this year. Read more

Euro NCAP begins Truck Safe testing

Euro NCAP has begun testing as part of its new Truck Safe programme. The programme has been introduced to tackle the disproportionate number of truck fatalities across Europe, where trucks represent only three per cent of all vehicles but are involved in almost 15% of road fatalities. Read more

Lucid Motors showcases latest innovations

Lucid Motors hosted its Technology and Manufacturing Day, showcasing its latest models and innovative technology, including what it describes as the most advanced electric vehicle plant in the world. Read more

XPENG to unveil the future of AI mobility in Europe at Paris Motor Show 2024

XPENG Motors will present a range of new technologies and solutions at the Paris Motor Show 2024, highlighting its commitment to intelligent, sustainable mobility solutions tailored for the European market.

Brian Gu, Vice Chairman and President at XPENG, said: “The European automotive market is undergoing a transformation from electrification to smartification.” Read more

How to use Hyundai’s Smart Sense safety tech in the all-new INSTER

Imagine driving with an extra set of eyes, ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. That’s exactly what Hyundai’s Smart Sense does. This advanced driver-assistance system (ADAS) doesn’t just enhance safety; it gives you greater peace of mind, so you can focus on enjoying the journey. Read more

Stellantis Pro One Inaugurates Global Commercial Vehicles Hub at Mirafiori Automotive Park 2030 in Turin, Italy

Stellantis Pro One celebrated a major milestone today, inaugurating its new global commercial vehicles hub at the Mirafiori Automotive Park 2030 in Turin, Italy. The hub brings together all functions that align the strategy and guidelines of the business unit to increase efficiency and speed in decision-making. Read more

Stellantis deploys AI-enabled innovations to boost manufacturing efficiency, sustainability and improve workplace

Stellantis manufacturing leaders embrace the challenge to discover and implement production processes that leverage workers’ talents, ensure product quality, improve efficiencies and produce vehicles and components efficiently with minimal environmental impact. Read more

BMW Group Design team implements new organisational structure

The BMW Group is completely reorganising its design division under the leadership of Adrian van Hooydonk. A new cross-brand design team will be launched on 1 October 2024 to meet changing demands for future-oriented vehicle design. Read more

Bodyshop Briefs

• Steer Automotive Group has acquired Rye Street Group, which manages a network of seven repair centres and holds 23 manufacturer approvals and 24 insurer approvals. Both Rye Street Group Managing Directors Bill Duffy and Lee McNaughton will be exiting the business as part of this transition. Read more
• Repair and Restore Bodyshop has transitioned to BS10125:2022 with a 100% score.
• RS Motors ARC has successfully transitioned to the new BS 10125:2022 standard.
• NJP Motors has announced it has transitioned to the new BS 10125:2022.
• Gemini ARC has launched the Mac Tools Apprentice Advantage Programme, which will provide all new multi-skilled apprentices with bespoke toolboxes and tooling. Read more
• Fix Auto Leicester has partnered with Everard to introduce a 360-degree video solution to its operations. The solution captures every detail of the vehicle as it enters and leaves the site, eliminating the need for manual videos and photos.
• Zeus Accident Repairs has acquired A Pile & Son, a 24,000 sqft dartford-based repair centre. It plans to make significant investment in the business, which will be renamed Zeus Accident Repair London.

A glimpse into the future

Thatcham Research’s Vehicle Technology Manager, Tom Leggett considered how autonomous, connected and electric vehicles (ACE) will impact the market in the coming years in his session, A glimpse into the future, which took place at ARC360’s recent Future Vehicle Technology themed event. Read more

Thatcham Research urges Apprenticeship Levy cap increase

Thatcham Research is urging Skills England and the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) to increase the Apprenticeship Levy funding cap which has remained unchanged since 2019. It is inviting trainers, garages, bodyshops and others within the repair chain to sign a petition calling for a review the 2019 cap. Read more

esure and Zixty: From identifying a customer need to partnership launch within weeks

esure, a leading UK car and home insurance provider, has teamed up with Zixty, a UK business who provide temporary insurance cover, to offer customers a flexible and convenient solution. Read more

Gear-shifts in the 2024 EV landscape

With EVs now making up 18% of new vehicle sales, the UK motor insurance industry must adapt rapidly to the evolving landscape, according to Consumer Intelligence. As new car registrations climb and the popularity of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) grows, insurers are presented with both challenges and opportunities that will shape the market’s future. Read more

New EV sales take 22% market share

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported a modest 1.3% fall in the UK’s new car market in August to 84,575 units. Petrol and diesel uptake fell by 10.1% and 7.3% respectively, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) registrations declined 12.3% and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) uptake increased by 36.1%. Pure electric sales rose 10.8% to account for 22.6% of sales. Read more

Dash cam bumps – minor crashes caught on camera

In 2023 alone more than 33,500 videos were submitted to police via the National Dashcam Safety Portal, a 30% increase on 2022 figures. Of this footage, 70% led to police action ranging from warning letters to penalty points and prosecution. This proves that dashcam usage is increasing and will be an ongoing source of evidence for police. Read more

Drivers warned of EV quishing trend

Denis Laskov, Chief Hacker at EY IL, a global cybersecurity and technology leader, has warned of quishing, which he describes as phishing but with a QR code often found on street EV chargers. He says criminals put specially crafted QR code stickers on top of a legitimate one to gain access to credit card details or install malicious software. Read more

MIBI receives second Silver Diversity Award

The Motor Insurers’ Bureau of Ireland (MIBI) has proudly secured its Diversity Silver ‘Reaccreditation’ Award from the Irish Centre for Diversity. The award is recognition of its efforts to create a collaborative environment that embraces Equality, Inclusion and Diversity. Read more

Wayve and Uber Partner to Accelerate the Future of Automated Driving

Wayve, a leader in Embodied AI for self-driving, has announced a new strategic partnership with Uber. Uber has also agreed to make a strategic investment in Wayve as an extension of the company’s previously announced Series C fundraising round. Read more

Mirka to unveil new products at Auto Trade Expo

Mirka UK will be highlighting abrasive performance and versatility at the Auto Trade Expo on stand J-12 with the debut of its new Galaxy and Iridium SR abrasive ranges along with a selection of innovative electric tools. Read more

Auto Trader and What Car? announce major new partnership

Auto Trader and What Car? have extended their multi-year partnership, enabling their combined audience of nearly 11 million people to research, locate, and buy a brand-new car across both platforms in a single seamless journey. Read more

Axalta introduces Irus Scan

Axalta has unveiled Irus Scan, a new solution which accurately detects and matches colours with metallic and pearlescent flakes, precisely captures hues that shift at different observation angles, analyses gloss levels for a complete colour match, and provides real-time surface visualisation for enhanced accuracy. Read more

Golfers tribute to Bob Linwood during Ezi-Methods golf day

Thirty-two golfers representing all areas of the vehicle repair sector brought a touch of ‘Bob Linwood’ colour to the second annual Ezi Methods Golf Day, wearing colourful shirts that Bob was renowned for.

Crash hour: car accidents peak around 3pm school pick-up

The 3pm afternoon rush, when many parents do the school pick-up, is the most likely time to have a car accident according to the latest data from insurance provider Allianz. Read more

DLG returns to profit

Direct Line Group reported profits before tax of £62m for the first half of the year. This follows a loss of £76.3m but was short of forecasts of around £85m. Meanwhile, combined ratios were down from 108.8% a year ago to 98.2%. Read more

How Stellantis is embracing software-defined vehicles: the future of mobility

S&P Global Mobility experts recently sat down with Yves Bonnefont, Stellantis Chief Software Officer, to learn more about the company’s approach to software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and how SDVs are revolutionising the automotive industry. Read more

BMW Group and Toyota collaborate on Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle solution

The BMW Group and the Toyota Motor Corporation are pooling their innovative strength and their technological capabilities to bring a new generation of fuel cell powertrain technology to the roads. Read more

Volvo Cars adjusts core business ambitions for 2026 and beyond

Volvo Cars has adjusted its core business ambitions for the coming years, reflecting the company’s relentless focus on value creation while remaining pragmatic amidst fluid market conditions. Read more

Zeekr launches first electric SUV

Zeekr has introduced its first midsize electric SUV at the Chengdu Motor Show. Deliveries of the 7X are set to roll out in China by the end of September, followed by deliveries in the global markets within a year. Read more

NIO Reports Unaudited Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

NIO has reported a 98.9% increase in revenues from the second quarter of 2023 to the second quarter of 2024 (£1,823.2m), while vehicle deliveries rose 144% to 57,373 – with 20,176 deliveries in August alone. It also opened43 Power Swap Stations in the month, which enables drivers to simply swap depleted batteries rather than charge them up. Read more

“My job is to break as much stuff as possible”

Polestar has provided an insight into the working life of Systems Validation Principal Engineer Julian Cantwell, whose job is to test the resilience and durability of Polestar models. He said, “Our end goal is really about durability and robustness.” Read more

Hyundai unveils innovative INSTER

Hyundai will launch the new INSTER into the city car segment. The model offers 220 miles range, includes a range of ADAS features available in the Hyundai Smart Sense suite, while its vehicle-to-load function means the INSTER serves as a power bank on four wheels. Read more

Polestar UK develops sales model with bold expansion plans

Polestar UK is developing its sales model and retail footprint reflecting its rapid growth in the UK with over 30,000 cars on UK roads. The development of Polestar’s sales model and expansion of the retail footprint goes hand in hand with the launch of the two new luxury electric SUVs; Polestar 3 and Polestar 4. Read more

New report calls for improved EV infrastructure tracking

A new report by Vauxhall and Cenex has revealed that UK’s current electric vehicle infrastructure (EVI) targets are too wide in scope, and should be based on more detailed, precise metrics to ensure a true reflection of progress in regions across the country. Read more

People

• Alex Hill has joined Vertu Accident Repair as VARC Divisional Parts Manager.
• Jifeline Networks BV has appointed Tom de Winter as Sales Director.
• Trak Global Security Solutions has appointed Dougie Watt as its new Chief Operations Officer and Neil Phillips as its Chief Financial Officer.
• Katy Hill has been promoted to Talent Acquisition Leader at BCA UK and cinch
• Ken Norgrove, Chief Executive Officer, UK & International, at RSA Insurance part of the Intact Group, is the new Deputy President of the Association of British Insurers (ABI).