Daily Motor Claims-Thursday 12 December

December nights crash warning for young drivers as party season starts 

Young drivers are significantly over-represented in fatal crashes on December nights, shows new AA analysis. The analysis, being released to coincide with the Christmas party season, shows young drivers (17-20) were involved in a fifth (19%) of night-time fatal collisions last December, despite this age group making up just 2.4% of licence holders. Full story

Announcement from the UK Supreme Court 

The UK Supreme Court has granted Permission to Appeal in the following cases: Wrench v FirstRand Bank; Johnson v FirstRand Bank; Hopcraft & Anr v Close Brothers UKSC. These appeals concern the duties owed to customers by car dealers and third-party lenders in relation to car finance. Full story

UK’s Close Bros granted permission to appeal motor finance ruling 

British lender Close Brothers was on Wednesday granted permission to appeal a ruling that motor finance brokers must fully inform customers about commissions on car loans, amid a looming multibillion-pound consumer redress scheme. The United Kingdom’s Supreme Court said it had granted Close Bros and South African lender FirstRand permission to appeal against October’s landmark ruling by the Court of Appeal. Full story

Motor Data Review 

DAC Beachcroft has released its quarterly motor data review. The interactive document features analysis and forecasting of data in both the MOJ and OIC portals. Full story

Motor trade vacancy rate at lowest point since October 2021 

Motor trade vacancies are at their lowest level since October 2021, according to the latest IMI Automotive Vacancies Report. The vacancy rate has fallen month on month for the past four months. The data shows there are 19,000 vacancies, with 3.3 vacancies for ever 100 employees, down from 3.5 in September. Full story

AA hits out at ‘comprehensive’ car insurance deals that don’t cover windscreens 

The AA is calling for more ‘clarity’ for motor insurance policies, as many deals marketed as comprehensive strip out cover for windscreen damage. Many car insurers create so-called ‘essentials’, ‘basics’ and ‘value’ comprehensive insurance products that exclude cover for things that customers want and expect. In a poll of 10,237 drivers, 84 per cent said they expect windscreen cover to form part of a comprehensive motor insurance policy. Full story

Smart telematics transform fleet insurance as operators partner with insurers to cut costs and improve safety 

As motor insurance costs rise exponentially, many fleet operators have proactively adopted AI-driven telematics and connected operations platforms to improve safety and reduce insurance premiums. Samsara’s Jack Burton explains why technology and culture shifts can mitigate risk and lower costs. Full story

London and the south-east lead November’s used car price corrections, reports MOTORS 

London and the south-east experienced the biggest drops in average used car prices in November as part of a wider trend which saw price corrections across the UK. MOTORS’ November Market View shows London prices dropped 4.3% month-on-month (MoM) from £24,043 to £23,014. Full story

Dealer Auction data reveals EVs drive 31% rise in average gross margin for AFVs 

The latest data from Dealer Auction’s EV Performance Review highlights a significant shift in the used vehicle market, with electric vehicles (EVs) driving a 31.4% increase in the average gross margin for alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) in November. The average gross margin for AFVs rose to £3,664 ($4,672) from £2,819 in October indicating growing consumer demand for high-quality models. Full story

Interest in used EVs and diesel up, new research shows  

December’s Startline Used Car Tracker shows the percentage of motorists who say that they would definitely consider an electric car as their next vehicle is up from 19% to 29%, while for diesel, it has increased from 12% to 22%. However, interest in other fuel types is relatively static, with petrol falling slightly from 49% to 47% and hybrids increasing only a little from 26% to 30%. Full story

General Motors pulls plug on robotaxi business 

General Motors has announced that it will stop funding the development of the Cruise self-driving taxi. The company says it will now “refocus autonomous driving development on personal vehicles.” GM also pointed to the increasingly competitive robotaxi market as a reason for the move. Full story

Geely-owned Farizon brand to break into UK with 225-mile range electric van 

Chinese automotive giant Geely is entering the UK commercial vehicle sector via its dedicated commercial vehicle brand, Farizon. Parent group Geely, which also owns Volvo Cars, Polestar and Lotus, is spearheading Farizon’s UK launch with the arrival of a large ‘born electric’ panel van, due to start sales during the first half of 2025 and deliver up to 225 miles of range. Full story

Australia’s insurers set to shape revised motor vehicle code of conduct 

Australia’s insurance and collision repair industries are gearing up to review and provide input on a revised Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry Code of Conduct, with a draft expected to be released for consultation in early 2025. Full story

Allianz Partners and Mazda Motor Europe extend their Roadside Assistance partnership 

Allianz Partners, a world leader in insurance and assistance services, and Mazda Motor Europe have signed a new European Roadside Assistance partnership contract, consolidating and harmonising the long-term relationship in existing markets and extending the partnership to new markets, including Poland, which was launched in January 2024, and the Netherlands and Portugal, which will be launched in January 2025. Full story

Remarketing: Examining the vehicle refurbishment market 

Ex-fleet vehicles are not getting any younger and mileages are creeping up. Business Car takes a look at the state of play with vehicle refurbishment. Full story

BASF and RBTS sign automotive refinish Memorandum of Understanding  

BASF (China) and Bosch Automotive Technology Service (RBTS) have jointly signed a memorandum of understanding at Automechanika Shanghai to collaborate on the automotive aftermarket business. This partnership aims to create an innovative platform that enhances the automotive refinish sector, delivering higher quality and more sustainable solutions. Full story

New role at SYNETIQ 

Sarah Hirst has announced that she is starting a new position as Commercial Director at SYNETIQ. Full story

Key appointments 

DMN Group has announced that Andy Scott has been named General Manager at its newly acquired business Specialist Vehicle Logistics (SVL). Meanwhile, James Hopkins has been appointed Managing Director of our Rapid Logistics business and will also to join the Group Board as a non-executive director. Full story