Daily Motor News – Friday 17 January 2025

Watch out

Bank of Dave 2: The Loan Ranger – the sequel to number one rated Netflix film Bank of Dave based on the story of ILC Motor Networking Lunch special guest Dave Fishwick – is now available on Netflix.

Starring Joel Fry, Phoebe Dynevor and Rory Kinnear watch both films on Netflix now! Full story

Local roads branded “national embarrassment” as govt urged to tackle £15bn repair backlog

The state of England’s local roads is declining, as a multibillion-pound repair backlog grows. As people grow increasingly unhappy with the levels of disrepair and with increasing damage to vehicles from potholes, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today calls out the Department for Transport (DfT) for not taking its responsibilities and use of public money on local roads sufficiently seriously. Full story

New unified fraud technology platform to transform industry’s fight against fraud, announced by IFB and Shift Technology

A new single solution which will integrate the Insurance Fraud Bureau’s (IFB) industry counter-fraud databases into one platform, has been announced by IFB in partnership with Shift Technology. Set to launch in 2026, the single solution will see insurers’ transactional, suspected and confirmed fraud datasets alongside all fraud investigation case management, integrate into one platform. Full story

Industry sources reveal why motor insurance is soaring again

The cost of motor insurance in Ireland is soaring again due to the rising cost of car repairs, industry sources claim. Premiums are up by 11.4% on average in the year to December, new figures from the Central Statistics Office show. Full story

DriveScore identifies link between driving scores and potential claims

DriveScore, a free app launched by the ClearScore Group to help good drivers save money on car insurance, has today released a new report highlighting the transformative benefits of mobile telematics and personalised driving data for both car insurers and drivers. Based on over one billion miles of driving data, the findings show the worst 10% of drivers are six times more likely to crash than the best 10%. Full story

Motorists face car insurance rejections for breaking major driving laws impacting road safety

Dozens of drivers have been prosecuted for breaking a major safety rule across the UK which carries a hefty £1,000 penalty to help deter the action. Fines have been handed out to motorists for breaking the 1937 Road Traffic Act which requires Britons to have good eyesight while travelling on UK roads. Full story

Ageas is recognised as a Top Employer 2025 in the United Kingdom

The 2025 Top Employers have been announced, and Ageas UK has been recognised as one of the top 10 employers in the United Kingdom. Being certified as a Top Employer showcases an organisation’s dedication to a better world of work and exhibits this through excellent HR policies and people practices. Full story

Gartner Identifies Key Automotive Trends for 2025

Gartner, Inc. highlighted several trends set to shape the automotive sector in 2025, as the industry faces regulatory pressure on emissions and intense growth from China. “Software and electrification will remain the two main drivers of the automotive sector’s transformation. However, in 2025, automakers will face uncertainties regarding emission regulations and growing trade tensions,” said Pedro Pacheco, VP Analyst at Gartner. Full story

JLR and Tata Communications strengthen partnership to deliver smarter, data-driven connected cars

JLR and Tata Communications are set to enhance JLR’s connected vehicle ecosystem, transforming the driving experience for customers worldwide through the Tata Communications MOVEplatform. The collaboration will empower JLR’s next-generation software-defined vehicles with continuous connectivity and access to intelligent services. Full story

Stellantis promotes SUSTAINera Repair service

Stellantis is promoting electric mobility to reduce CO2 emissions through its SUSTAINera Repair service. The service extends battery life and enables them to be repaired and recycled. Full story

Tesla says a new way to clean cameras is coming

Tesla announced on X that it is working on a new way to keep the cameras clean on the Cybertruck. This will make its way to other Tesla vehicles because it is a common problem with the performance of its advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). Full story

NIO enhances integration with NIO Vehicle API

NIO Europe has unveiled NIO Vehicle API, enabling seamless integration of NIO vehicles with third-party applications. The API provides easy access to a variety of vehicle data, as well as control over vehicle functions, enabling partners to develop innovative applications that improve user experiences, optimise vehicle performance, and offer personalised services. Full story

Supervising learners in 2024 inspires thousands to consider becoming a driving instructor

Supportive friends and family supervised an estimated five million hours of private practice for learner drivers in 2024 – prompting many to consider becoming a professional driving instructor. One in twenty (6%) drivers said they had supervised a learner in 2024, according to a poll by the AA Driving School. The average number of hours they each supervised was 25, making a combined grand total of 5,062,500 hours throughout 2024. Full story

Truline completes renewal of 109 vehicles with Prohire

Specialist B2B parcel carrier, Truline, has upgraded 109 vehicles of its 500-strong fleet with its trusted fleet provider for over 16 years, Prohire and its alternative fuels division Progreen. The new vehicles will help Truline deliver over a million parcels every month from its 17 depots nationwide whilst cutting emissions to meet the net zero deadline. Full story

Autoglass unveils first 100% EV van

Autoglass has introduced its first-ever battery-electric technician van. The 100% electric van represents a major step in the company’s journey toward a more sustainable future. Full story

Ian Pugh appointed Group Managing Director of Advantage Group of Companies

Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director Ian Pugh has been appointed as Group Managing Director to the newly formed Advantage Group of Companies. The UK-based group encompasses Fix Auto UK, Advantage Parts Solutions UK, and Fix Auto UK’s division of owned repair centres. Full story

News in Brief

EMR has appointed Nick Farrell as Commercial Manager at its EV Battery Recycling Centre.

Gemini ARC has celebrated the loyalty of its team with an impressive 21.5% of its workforce earning long-service awards for over 10 or 20 years of dedication.