Daily Motor News – Monday 24 February 2025

The BBC has reported that police will have new powers to prosecute anyone with electronic devices that can be used in keyless car thefts. Previously evidence was required that the signal jamming device had been used in a crime, but now the onus will be on the individual to prove they have the device for a legitimate purpose.

Meanwhile, the pothole pandemic remains in the news with the number of successful claims made to one authority trebling in five years while another council was found to have paid out more than £600,000 in compensation since 2020.

Elsewhere, a new poll by RDT has found that 85% of insurers believe AI will ‘revolutionise’ insurance claims in the next five years, but, conversely, only seven per cent of insurers are investing heavily in AI-driven claims solutions.

The precarious state of the UK automotive industry was also underscored by news that another vehicle manufacturer is rowing back on previous investment plans. After Stellantis confirmed the closure of its Vauxhall plant in Luton, BMW has announced it is delaying a £600m upgrade of its Oxford Mini plant, blaming low EV sales.

Electronic devices used for car thefts set to be banned

Sophisticated electronic devices used by criminals to steal cars are set to be banned under new laws in England and Wales.

More than 700,000 vehicles were broken into last year – often with the help of high-tech electronic devices, including so-called signal jammers, which are thought to play a part in four out of 10 vehicle thefts nationwide. Full story

Over 50k paid to motorists in pothole compensation by local authority in 2024

The number of successful claims by motorists to one local authority for damage caused to their cars by potholes has trebled in the last five years.

The number of people paid compensation by Meath County Council has risen to 218 last year, up from 80 who sought recompense from damaged tyres and wheels in 2020. Full story

Brent Council pays out nearly £600,000 in pothole and pavement injury claims

Brent Council has paid out nearly £600,000 in compensation for accident and injury claims caused by potholes and pavement defects since 2020, a Freedom of Information (FOI) request has revealed. The council has implemented a £15m road and pavement resurfacing programme but claims it doesn’t have the budget to fix more than four miles of road each year. Full story

Allianz receives Gracechurch Market Claims Marque for the ninth year in a row and Market Underwriting service marque for the second time

2024 has been a year of outstanding achievements for Allianz – Insurance consultancy Gracechurch has awarded Allianz Commercial its Service Quality Marque (SQM) for Market Claims and Market Underwriting. Full story

RDT poll finds AI a transformational force in claims but investment hurdles remain

A recent poll by RDT has revealed the insurance industry’s growing confidence in AI’s role in claims management – but also reveals that investment isn’t keeping pace with expectations.

According to the findings, 85% of insurers believe that AI and machine learning will significantly impact or even revolutionise claims processes within the next five years. Full story

Over 100 offences identified as part of commercial vehicle week posing a risk to innocent road users

Over 100 drivers were identified as posing a risk to innocent road users through their own or their vehicle’s poor standards during a two-week drive to focus on commercial vehicles.During the operation, held between 27 January and 9 February, officers, alongside the Driver Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA), set up check sites across South Yorkshire where vehicles were checked for their weight, load, and condition. Full story

Two-thirds of drivers putting themselves at risk by ‘taking task into own hands’

As many as two-thirds of motorists are putting themselves at risk of higher costs and dangerous vehicles. car.co.uk found that an eye-watering 69% of road users are undertaking their own car repairs in a bid to save money on garage bills. Full story

Stellantis expands its Eurorepar parts range

Following the successful launch of Eurorepar Body Parts last year, Stellantis has announced that the range has been extended with an additional 20 new bumpers and 14 front grilles.

This brings the total number of Eurorepar body parts available to 254, covering a wide range of popular models across the Stellantis passenger car and commercial vehicle brands. Full story

BMW delays electric Mini over ‘uncertainty’

BMW has confirmed it is delaying the reintroduction of electric vehicle production at its Oxford Mini plant.

The vehicle manufacturer said “multiple uncertainties facing the automotive industry” had led to its decision to pause work on the £600m upgrade of its plant in Cowley. Full story

Dacia announces a sub-£15k electric city car

Dacia has announced it will be bringing a budget-friendly new city electric vehicle specifically designed for Europe. Bosses promised the yet-to-be-named EV will cost less than £15,000 and be available in just 16 months – meaning it should be here in 2026. Full story

Motor insurance affordability under pressure amid FCA scrutiny

As motor insurance premiums continue to squeeze household budgets, scrutiny from regulators and policymakers is intensifying. But with competing priorities and political setbacks, is real change on the horizon? Full story

Rising energy demand tests UK business growth ambitions

A large study of UK businesses has shown that energy price volatility reduced profits for 89% in the last year, as organisations look to grow and increase their productivity through technology, which includes AI, automation and electrification, driving increased demand for energy availability. Full story

LG Display Begins Mass Production of Ultra-large Automotive Display Solutions to Revolutionize Driving Experience

LG Display, the world’s leading innovator of display technologies, announced today that it has officially begun mass production of the industry’s first 40-inch Pillar to Pillar (P2P) automotive display. The company is accelerating its push into the Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) era by scaling up the production of premium automotive display solutions with the goal of revolutionizing the driving experience. Full story

Tim Moss has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency

Grainger Motor Group has opened its sixth Kia showroom in Stapleford, Cambridgeshire.