Daily Motor News – Thursday 13 March 2025

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, “Manufacturer investment has meant 10 times as many drivers are going electric compared with just five years ago. This is great progress but, with the right support for consumers, we can go beyond current expectations to put a total of more than two million new EVs on the road by 2028. Government investment to convert the ‘electric sceptics’ would energise business across the country far beyond just the automotive sector.” Full story

Tracker and the Police shut down 60 illegal chop shops in 2024

Tracker and UK police forces uncovered a record 60 illegal ‘chop shops’ in 2024. This compares to just two chop shops found in 2020 and underlines the rapid growth of organised crime gangs in using chop shops to dismantle stolen cars, strip them of parts and sell them on for profit. It’s a lucrative business for the unscrupulous, but in 2024, not only did Tracker and the police shut down an unparalleled number of chop shops, but they also made significant strides in outsmarting thieves by making 144 arrests – an increase of 80% year-on-year. Full story

Fewer crashes thanks to ADAS in cars

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) in cars have a predominantly positive impact on road safety by preventing collisions. In particular Forward Collision Warning (FCW) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems have shown significant benefits, reducing crashes by approximately 12-13% and 11%, respectively. These findings are highlighted in the Dutch SWOV report Veiligheidseffecten van geavanceerde rijhulpsystemen (ADAS) and the journal article Rethinking Advanced Driver Assistance System taxonomies: A framework and inventory of real-world safety performance. Full story

Fivefold rise in speeding tickets in 2024

Last year saw a surge in speeding fines across multiple UK regions, with some areas seeing an almost fivefold increase in offences. Figures obtained by short-term car insurance firm GoShorty show that speeding offences rose by 385% in Cleveland, rising from 14,049 in 2023 to 68,134 in 2024. Full story

Aviva & Direct Line: A £10bn insurance powerhouse in the making?

Aviva’s £3.7bn acquisition of Direct Line Group (DLG) will create the UK’s largest general insurer, but what does this mean for underwriting profitability, competition, and the wider market? Full story

Lithium batteries and the risks they pose

Lithium-ion batteries are incredibly useful in powering our devices, but they come with serious risks. If they overheat, swell up, or short-circuit, they can cause fires or even explosions, releasing harmful gases in the process. It’s crucial to handle them with care to avoid these dangers. Full story

Government must act on car insurance costs

The DUP’s Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is seeking an urgent meeting with the Transport Secretary to discuss how Government will tackle the dramatic rise in car insurance premiums, which have increased by 42% in the last financial year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Full story

Incentives needed to convert ‘electric sceptics’ to EV benefits

The automotive industry has called on government to act fast to convert Britain’s electric sceptics to the benefits of EVs, by using purchase incentives to stimulate greater demand. Such measures would boost the market by a further 15% on top of current outlooks – delivering a total of two million new EVs by 2028, increasing business for chargepoints, insurance, maintenance and other sectors, whilst drastically reducing road transport emissions. Full story

Toyota expands its battery electric model range across Europe’s core segments

Toyota is delivering on its promise to introduce a series of new battery electric models to the European market, strengthening the role they play in the company’s multi-pathway technology approach to achieving carbon neutrality in the region by 2035. This week, Toyota has revealed the latest additions to its BEV range, demonstrating how concepts shown previously have been successfully developed into production-ready models. Full story

Using AI to advance manufacturing at General Motors

General Motors already offers the broadest portfolio of electric vehicles in the industry, and our product lineup is poised to grow to a dozen by the end of 2025. These EVs, combined with our diverse selection of internal combustion engine-powered vehicles, helped drive the company to U.S. sales leadership for the third consecutive year in 2024. It’s a reflection of our commitment to customer choice, showcasing how our manufacturing capabilities have scaled to continue delivering value to our customers through safe, quality vehicles. Full story

AI car features you need to know about in 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is what all the cool kids are talking about these days, and it’s something to consider when buying a car. Following this year’s Consumer Electronic Show (CES), it’s time we examine AI’s impact on cars and their infotainment systems. Some of the technological advances are positively eye-popping. Full story

Volkswagen Group with solid FY 2024 results and a robust outlook 

“In 2024, Volkswagen Group has set a decisive strategic course. With innovative, emotional products. With trailblazing strategic decisions. In 2025, we will continue to focus on consistent implementation. As our transformation gains in traction, the new strength of Volkswagen Group comes to life. Our continuing model offensive, regionally tailored products for our markets around the globe and strong partners constitute the basis for sustainable positive development. With the ramp-up of affordable e-mobility, our autonomous vehicle fleet and the battery cell production in Germany, Volkswagen is showcasing European innovation for the world – as the global automotive tech driver.”
Oliver Blume, CEO Volkswagen Group. Full story

Volvo Car AB (publ.) publishes Annual and Sustainability Report 2024

Volvo Car has published its Annual and Sustainability Report for 2024 on the Investors website. The report can be found here. In addition to the events and financials of 2024, the Annual and Sustainability Report focuses on the strategic priorities and ambitions. Sustainability reporting is integrated in the Annual and Sustainability Report and has been prepared in accordance with Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). Full story

Lloyd’s shows continued progress towards inclusivity and talent ambition

Lloyd’s, the world’s leading marketplace for insurance and reinsurance has today shared the results from the 2025 Lloyd’s Market Policies and Practices (MP&P) return with market firms, which shows continued progress towards an inclusive and high-performance culture. Full story

Drivalia appoints Motor Assist for accident management and mobility solutions

Drivalia has signed up Motor Assist to support its expansion with a range of accident management and mobility solutions. Full story

Bodyshop business accelerates expansion – saved jobs placed at risk by closure of national chain’s Swansea location

A family-run automotive accident repair business has plans set on expansion after saving jobs placed at risk by the closure of a national chain’s Swansea location. Scuffed Up, a body and paint repair shop in the city, is driving forward its growth plans with the support of Business Wales. Full story

Spectrum Insurance gains accreditation to The Motor Ombudsman’s Vehicle Warranty Products Code

Spectrum Insurance Services is proud to announce its accreditation to The Motor Ombudsman’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI)-approved Motor Industry Code of Practice for Vehicle Warranty Products. Full story

Transportation Consumer Price Index – February 2025

US: The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) released the change in the costs faced by consumers for transportation goods and services, from February 2024 to February 2025, as measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). The annual change in CPI is a measure of inflation. Full story

IMI award winners announced

The 2025 IMI Annual Dinner and Awards has recognised excellence at many levels in the motor industry, from apprentices early in their career to veteran directors at their peak. Full story