Daily Motor News – Friday 13 December

Bristol sees surge in ‘crash for cash’ scams involving mopeds 

Ageas, one of the UK’s largest motor insurers, has identified a worrying increase in so-called ‘Crash for Cash’ scams involving cars and mopeds, with a significant rise in suspected incidents in the Bristol area, specifically Bishopston.  This type of fraud sees moped riders deliberately manoeuvring their vehicles into the path of reversing vehicles, often vans, to induce an impact and then claim for damage and injuries. Full story

Generative AI at INSHUR: Driving Responsible Innovation in Insurance 

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just a technological shift—it’s a revolution transforming industries worldwide, including insurance. Since ChatGPT brought generative AI to the masses in 2022, the way individuals and businesses operate has changed forever. Full story

23 million UK drivers in the dark when it comes to identifying dashboard warning lights reveals Warrantywise 

Around 23 million drivers in the UK are in the dark when it comes to identifying what their car’s warning lights are telling them. According to new research by Warrantywise some 46% are unable to identify even half of the warning lights on their car’s dashboard. Full story

Urban Mobility Readiness Index  

The Oliver Wyman Forum, in partnership with researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, presents its 2024 Urban Mobility Readiness Index, a ranking of 70 major cities worldwide on their preparedness for mobility’s next chapter. For its sixth edition, the index introduces a new sub-index focusing on technology adoption alongside customized actionable recommendations for each city. Full story

European auto makers welcome pragmatic solution on CO2 compliance by largest European Parliament party 

The ACEA has welcomed the European People’s Party’s recognition of the numerous challenges European automakers face, including heavy vehicle manufacturers of trucks and buses. It said competitiveness is key to driving decarbonisation, and it welcomes the proposed list of efforts to ease CO2 compliance challenges for light-duty vehicles, namely cars and vans. Full story

NHTSA announces £135m in grants to 19 states and territories to upgrade crash data collection systems 

US: The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration today announced $171 million in grants to 19 states and territories to upgrade and standardize their crash data systems. The system upgrades will improve the accuracy, timeliness, and accessibility of fatality information, including data about pedestrians and cyclists, through enhanced intrastate data sharing and electronic transfers to NHTSA. Full story

Report estimates fatal crashes cost £330bn annually 

US: The annual economic cost for fatal crashes in the US is estimated to be £330bn, according to a recently published 2025 Roadmap for Safety report produced by the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety. Full story

State of Flux: Economic and Market Outlook 2025 

Zurich Insurance Group has released its Global Economic and Markets Outlook 2025, highlighting significant shifts in the global economic trajectory. The report underscores a period of flux in the macroeconomic backdrop, driven by recent geopolitical developments, fiscal measures and evolving trade policies. Full story

How S&G are spreading the festive spirit this Christmas 

This year, from 18 November through to 18 December, S&G Response is supporting three incredible causes: The Salvation Army, the Wellspring and The Children’s Adventure Farm Trust, and is inviting everyone to join in making a difference this Christmas. Full story

New public sector fleet group launched by AFP 

A new Public Sector Fleet Operator Working Group is being launched by the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP) and will meet for the first time in January. Led by AFP board member Martin Edgecox, it’s intended to provide an opportunity to discuss the particular concerns facing public sector fleet management. Full story

Mobileye to use Innoviz LiDARs for its Mobileye Drive AV platform 

Mobilyeye, a global leader in autonomous and driver-assistance technologies, and Innoviz Technologies have announced that Mobileye will use Innoviz’s LiDARs for the Mobileye Drive platform. Full story

GWM Ora to rebrand UK dealers as GWM in early 2025 

All UK GWM Ora dealerhips will now rebrand as simply GWM as the Chinese brand prepares to launch its next chapter with its Haval Jolion Pro Hybrid SUV early next year. Dealers will remove the Ora name from their dealership logos by mid-February next year. Full story