Daily Motor News – Monday 19 May 2025 

Connected vehicle data sharing is in focus as the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association calls for a unified data framework to drive innovation and safety. Meanwhile, Aviva and CyberCube are teaming up to harness AI for cyber threat analysis in the insurance sector. 

On the legal front, the APIL president urges personal injury lawyers to champion their impact, while Lloyd’s highlights market conditions in its Q2 market update. 

In automotive, the UK government delays approval of driverless cars to 2027, despite Uber’s readiness to roll out its autonomous fleet now. Elsewhere, Nissan is considering global factory sharing with Dongfeng, and Tesla’s Cybertruck trade-ins reveal severe depreciation. 

Meanwhile, UK driving test backlogs have hit 600,000, and tool thefts continue to plague tradespeople, costing £40 million last year. 

Position paper – Connected vehicle data sharing 

Vehicle data sharing drives innovation, enhances safety, and fosters sustainability within the European automotive industry. Through its seven recommendations, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) advocates for the effective implementation of the Data Act and the careful evaluation of its outcomes, the simplification of the regulatory framework, and the creation of a unified European Data Space. Read more

Aviva and CyberCube Partner to Harness AI for Cyber Threat Actor Intelligence and Advanced Portfolio Risk Management 

Aviva plc, a leading UK insurer, and CyberCube, a global leader in cyber risk analytics, are harnessing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to map the behaviour of cyber threat actors and the technologies they most frequently target. Read more

New APIL president calls for pride in PI 

Personal injury lawyers need to be ready to shout loudly about the difference they make to people’s lives, APIL’s incoming president has said. 

Matthew Tuff addressed his fellow APIL members following the association’s annual general meeting. Read more

Q2 Market Message (Lloyd’s) 

Rachel Turk, Chief Underwriting Officer, opened Lloyd’s Q2 market message, sharing a view on current market conditions and oversight, delegated business and claims. Read more

Avon and Somerset Police gets new cars to crack down on uninsured drivers 

Two new cars are being provided to Avon and Somerset Police’s Proactive Roads Policing Team this month by MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau), the entity responsible for tackling uninsured driving across the UK. The dual-branded police vehicles highlight the ongoing partnership, whilst increasing access to ANPR-equipped roads policing cars for Special Constables. Read more

Tool theft falls nationwide as tradies fight back 

Police forces around the UK recorded a tool theft on average every 21 minutes last year, reveals a Freedom of Information data obtained by Direct Line business insurance. Over 25,525 tool thefts were reported to police last year, equating to 70 tool thefts per day, with the total value of tools stolen estimated to be £40 million. Read more

The evolution of car value over the last decade 

In a sector that is always advancing and improving, it is a continual juggling act for automakers developing new product and pricing strategies. To succeed in today’s automotive market, it isn’t simply about having the lowest price or the most features but rather finding the right balance of value-for-money that resonates with consumers. Using the German car market as an example, we see this in practice as we look at the evolution of car value trends over the last 10 years… Read more

UK driverless cars unlikely until 2027 – but Uber says it’s ready now 

Uber has said it is “ready to go” now with driverless taxis in the UK – but the government has put back the date it expects to approve fully self-driving vehicles. The previous administration, external said fully autonomous cars were “set to be on roads by 2026”, but the new government says it is now more likely to happen in the second half of 2027. Read more

Nissan says it could share global plants with Chinese state firm 

Car maker Nissan says it is open to sharing factories around the world with its Chinese state-owned partner Dongfeng as it shakes up its business. The Japanese firm, which employs thousands of people in the UK, told the BBC it could bring Dongfeng “into the Nissan production eco-system globally.” Read more

Tesla ‘Full Self-Driving’ Australian testing officially confirmed 

Australia: Electric vehicle maker Tesla has confirmed it is now testing its Full Self-Driving (FSD) semi-autonomous technology in Australia, revealing the news via the X social media platform owned by its CEO Elon Musk. Read more

Tesla starts accepting Cybertruck trade-ins, confirms insane depreciation 

Tesla has started accepting Cybertruck trade-ins, something that wasn’t the case more than a year after deliveries of the electric pickup truck started. 

We are starting to see why Tesla didn’t accept its own vehicle as a trade-in: the depreciation is insane. Read more

McLaren Aerocell: Meet the team behind W1’s monocoque 

The ‘One Vision’ series brings to life the personal stories from the people who developed the McLaren W1.  Read more

DVSA data reveals learner driver backlog passes 600,000 

The backlog of learner drivers in the UK waiting to take their driving test has now exceeded 600,000. This marks the longest queue ever recorded, according to new statistics, highlighting one of the biggest motoring issues the current Government is facing. Read more

Four Things on My Radar: What’s Shaping the Independent Aftermarket Right Now 

The EU is making decisions right now that could reshape the independent aftermarket — from data access and vehicle regulation to industrial policy and global trade. Read more

Drivers support court-ordered ‘alcolocks’ to tackle drink-drive reoffending 

More than half of motorists (53%) want to see the Government allow courts to order anyone convicted of drink-driving to have ‘alcolocks’ fitted to their vehicles to prevent them reoffending, a new RAC study has found. Read more

Motor trades peak body fears RAC insurance sale will be bad for customers and repairers 

Australia: The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) says the proposed sale of RAC WA’s insurance business to corporate giant IAG should be closely scrutinised by the regulator. Read more

Workers optimistic but overwhelmed by AI – study 

The impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workplace is both game-changing and overwhelming for UK workers, a study has found. More than 4,500 people from almost 30 different employment sectors were polled as part of the research, which was commissioned by Henley Business School. Read more

From operations to underwriting: William Miners brings valuable insight to ERS 

We recently caught up with William Miners, a new face in the London underwriting team, but a familiar one at ERS. William’s journey started in operations before moving into underwriting, giving him valuable behind-the-scenes insight. Now in his latest role, he’s focused on using that experience to make life easier for our brokers. Read more

More people have bank accounts but one in ten have no cash savings, FCA survey reveals 

The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has found that one in ten people have no cash savings at all, and another 21% have less than £1,000 to draw on in an emergency. Read more

Richard Brown has started a new role as Head of Motor Fulfilment at Direct Line Group 

Steven Close has started a new position as Head of Vehicle Procurement and Brand Relations – Europe at Vizion Network 

Kelly Cawthorn has started a new role as Director of Call Centre Operations at Vizion Network 

Trevor Edwards has decided to leave his role as Executive Director, Resources & People at the CII