Daily Motor News – Thursday 06 March 2025

ILC ARTICLE

6th March 2025

Milena Mondini de Focatiis, Group Chief Executive Officer, Admiral Group: “The main driver of our exceptional performance was our UK Motor business. However, it is great to see UK Household, Admiral Money, and our French and US Motor businesses all report a double-digit profit.

“We are excited to be building on the synergies within our businesses and products. We recognise that there is more that we can do to meet even more of the needs of our growing customer base. We continue to focus on being a great choice for customers by leveraging our expertise in pricing, claims management and underwriting, and making continuous improvements in our service.” Full story

Landmark ruling streamlines motor finance cases

Claimant solicitors have welcomed a High Court decision to allow motor finance claims to proceed through one single claim form. In Angel & Ors v Black Horse Ltd Mr Justice Ritchie ruled that the proceedings could and should be conveniently dealt with under eight omnibus claim forms, overruling a judge’s decision to handle them separately. Full story

Car insurance costs rise again, new report finds

The latest price index from Go.Compare Car insurance has revealed that the average cost of a car insurance policy has increased by three per cent in Q4 of 2024 versus Q3 in 2024. The report from the comparison website finds that while the cost of premiums has risen from £437 to £450 in three months, the average cost of a policy remains three per cent lower than in the same period in 2023. Full story

Admiral FY24: Admiral Group reports excellent 2024 performance with strong growth in customers, turnover and profit and good strategic progress

Milena Mondini de Focatiis, Group Chief Executive Officer, commented: “2024 was a remarkable year. We delivered an excellent result with a 28 per cent increase in turnover and 90 per cent increase in profit as we welcomed an additional 1.4 million customers to the Group.

“To remain one of the most competitive insurers for the largest number of people is a priority for us. We have emerged from several rather challenging years so when we saw conditions improve we were quick to respond. We were one of the first to reduce prices in response to easing inflation and cut rates the day after the favourable Ogden rate change announcement.” Full story

UK insurance in 2025: inflation, tech, and climate risks

The UK is home to the world’s largest insurance market, Lloyds, and is the third largest market in the world for insurance business. In the most recent report on The Global Financial Centres Index 36, which ranks 121 locations and has separate sub-indices for banking, investment management, insurance, professional services, government and regulatory, finance, fintech and trading, the highest ranking one for London was insurance, at second place, with New York taking the top spot. Full story

WTW launch of AI-driven monitoring tool for insurers signals step change in business performance and profitable growth

WTW, a leading global advisory, broking and solutions company, has announced the launch of Radar Vision, an AI-driven performance monitoring tool custom-built for insurers. Full story

Aviva Canada: New data shows staggering rise in fraud across the country as Fraud Prevention Month kicks off

Canada: From auto theft to AI-generated documents and beyond, fraud continues to be one of the more pressing issues facing Canadian consumers and businesses in 2025. New data from Aviva Canada has revealed a 46% increase in claim fraud detection – and a staggering 76% rise in fraud investigations – in 2024. Auto-related incidents alone accounted for two-thirds (67%) of all claim fraud investigations. Full story

Millions of drivers making costly mistake after taking car for MOT

Research by car.co.uk revealed 69% of millennials delay acting on MOT advisory notes, risking more costly repairs. Half of people in this age group also put off having their cars serviced, with costs again likely being the main factor. Full story

Police forces close 60 ‘chop shop’ garages in car crime crackdown

Stolen vehicle recovery expert Tracker Network UK has teamed up with police forces across the UK to shut down 60 illegal ‘chop shops’ that have been breaking stolen cars for parts. According to figures from the Office of National Statistics, more than 129,000 vehicles were stolen between April 2023 and March 2024, with many vehicles being broken for parts to be sold to dodgy garages. Full story

Targa Telematics further establishes its role as a leader in car maker data management: announces partnership with Toyota Motors Europe

Targa Telematics – one of the leading global players in the field of IoT and in the development of digital solutions and platforms for connected mobility – has announced that Toyota Motors Europe have joined as an OEM connected data-partner to expand its range of digital solutions for connected cars, integrating data from Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe. Full story

Hyundai pairs up with Yandex spinoff Avride to develop robotaxis

Hyundai Motor Company and Avride have agreed to jointly develop autonomous vehicles in a tie up that will deepen the relationship between the two companies. Full story

What is a self-driving car?

Self-driving cars, or autonomous vehicles (AVs), have zoomed around our popular imaginations for decades. In recent years, films and television shows such as WALL-E and Silicon Valley have poked fun at early versions of self-driving cars—and even further back, in the 1980s series Knight Rider, a retro AV was David Hasselhoff’s sassy sidekick. Full story

UK automotive industry facing marked challenges as new car registrations fall again – EY comments

David Borland, EY UK & Ireland Automotive Leader, comments on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) new car registration figures for February 2025: “Continuing the downward trend seen in recent months, UK new car registrations fell again in February, with a 1% year-on-year decline. This mirrors many of the major auto markets globally and is a result of the many headwinds the industry is facing, including economic uncertainty, complex and evolving trade policies and regulations, and restructuring needs.” Full story

Mobility for everyone: with the ID. EVERY1, Volkswagen is providing a preview of an entry-level electric model

Since the Beetle, Volkswagen has been enabling affordable mobility for millions of people with compact and likeable cars. With the ID. EVERY1 concept car, the German car manufacturer is now showing an entry-level all-electric model. Volkswagen will launch the production version in 2027 – with a starting price of around 20,000 euros. Full story

Electric vans up as overall market contracts in February

Demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) fell by 19.3% in February to 14,476 units, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The third consecutive monthly decline led to the month’s lowest outturn since 2020. Full story

Carmakers win break from Trump’s tariffs on Canada and Mexico

US: US President Donald Trump said he would temporarily spare carmakers from a new 25% import tax imposed on Canada and Mexico, just a day after the tariffs came into effect. Shares in Ford were up by more than five per cent after the announcement, while General Motors shares rose more than seven per cent. Stellantis shares in the US rose more than nine per cent. Full story

EU’s automotive Action Plan charts positive first steps, but misses addressing crucial needs of supplier industry

The European Commission’s newly published Industrial Action Plan for the European Automotive Sector sets a framework for the industry’s future at a critical juncture, as Europe’s automotive supplier sector faces alarming challenges – including the announcement of 54,000 job losses in 2024 alone. While CLEPA welcomes the Commission’s initiative, key questions remain unanswered, and the urgency of the situation demands swift and concrete action. Full story

Lifestyle lessons: what can fashion teach the car world?

Episode three of Women in the driving seat, a brand new podcast from Auto Trader, features Jo Elvin, former editor of magazines Glamour and You and Nicole Melillo Shaw, MD of Volvo Car UK. The conversation covers what automotive can learn from fashion and retail environments, the need to ask for what you want and why being oblivious to other peoples’ opinions might be a secret superpower. Full story

AkzoNobel extends partnership with Toyota Motor Europe

AkzoNobel Sikkens Vehicle Refinishes has extended its long-standing partnership with Toyota Motor Europe (TME) for an additional five years. The partnership, which began in 2012, has evolved to reflect our shared commitment to delivering high-quality refinishing solutions into the vehicle repair industry. Full story

Private car park operators cashing in every two seconds

Private companies issuing parking tickets made a record 7,837,712 requests to the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) to obtain vehicle keeper records in the first six months of the 2024/25 financial year. Averaging over 43,000 requests per day, or almost one every two seconds reveals new research1 by Churchill motor insurance. 2024/25 is on track to see the highest number in the last seven years. Full story

Good Practice of the Month – March 2025 awarded to the Road Safety Authority (Ireland) for its innovative virtual reality campaign against drink driving

Our March spotlight features the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in Ireland for their innovative “Consequences” Virtual Reality (VR) initiative. The initiative aims to reduce drink driving by creating an immersive, first-person experience that makes the dangers and consequences feel real. Using cutting-edge VR technology, it places users in the role of a drink driver, allowing them to experience the devastating impact of their decisions, from crashes and injuries to legal prosecution. By engaging young drivers in a way that is both realistic and emotionally impactful, the initiative seeks to change attitudes and behaviours, ultimately making roads safer for everyone. Full story

IAM RoadSmart reaccredited with prestigious international ISO standard

One of the UK’s leading providers of driver, rider and fleet training has successfully been reaccredited with the ISO 9001 international standard for quality management systems in recognition for its continuing high standards. IAM RoadSmart delivered more than 2,000 advanced driver and rider courses in 2024 and is one of the leading providers of drink-drive rehabilitation courses. Full story

Revive! Set to turbocharge towards £40m turnover target

Revive! Auto Innovations, the UK’s leading independent provider of Smart Repairs to the automotive industry, held its annual conference on Saturday 1 March at St. George’s Park. At the event, the company unveiled its new ‘Turbocharge’ growth plan, the target of which is to hit £40M in network sales by 2028. Full story

Tackling the welding skills shortage in the UK: A call to inspire the next generation

The UK is currently facing a significant shortage of skilled welders, a challenge that has far-reaching implications for various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and automotive sectors. The UK is currently facing a significant shortage of skilled welders, a challenge that has far-reaching implications for various industries, including construction, manufacturing, and automotive sectors. Full story

US: I-CAR National Conference Celebrates Innovation, Leadership

The I-CAR 2025 Leading Forward National Conference wrapped up last Saturday, having brought together over 400 automotive and collision repair industry advocates for a three-day event focused on innovation, education and collaboration. Full story

Autoglass is now the primary vehicle glass partner for Gregory Group. With over 1,200 vehicles in its fleet, Gregory Group is one of the UK’s leading logistics providers.

FMG Repair Services has committed to developing the next generation of automotive professionals through its award-winning apprenticeship programme – a commitment that will see 15% of its technical workforce fulfilled through apprenticeships by 2026.

Clinton Riemens has started a new position as Manager EMEA Body Repair Network at Tesla.

Nikolay Boychev has stepped into the role of Lead Body Repair Network Manager EMEA at Tesla.

Drive Motor Retail Bodyshops have achieved BSI PAS 2060 Carbon Neutral Certification for the third year in a row.

Phil Jerome has joined FMG as its new Sales Director – Fleet.

Chesterfield Car Clinic has achieved a positive recommendation for the BS10125 Standard

US: Ginger Purgatorio, Executive Vice President and General Manager at Allstate, has been elected Chair of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Board of Directors for 2025.