Daily Motor News – Thursday 17 April 2025 

Benjamin Krieger, Secretary General CLEPA: “We all agree on the direction: smarter, safer, and more sustainable mobility. But let’s not pretend we can drive this transformation with a flat tyre. Without viable business models and policies that keep industrial capacity in Europe, we risk trading long-term prosperity for short-term applause.” Read more

AI images being used to exaggerate insurance claims in new fraud 

Drivers could be using AI-generated images to exaggerate car damage to claim more car insurance, according to experts. Online tools can now create realistic-looking photos within seconds with the new technology likely to backfire on the motor industry. Read more

Citroën finds that councils could have filled over 30 million potholes in 2024 with a standardised approach to repairs 

Citroën has found that UK councils could have repaired more than 17 times the number of potholes filled in 2024 if all councils paid the lowest amount possible for a single planned pothole repair. Read more

Vauxhall reveals the UK’s biggest driving pet peeves 

New research from Vauxhall has revealed British motorists’ biggest pet peeves, with congestion, roadworks, and lane-hogging emerging as the top three annoyances on UK roads. Read more

As the need for EU industrial capacity grows, dwindling profitability could force auto suppliers out  

2025 has not exactly started with a bang for Europe’s automotive suppliers – unless you’re counting the sound of quickly evaporating optimism. CLEPA’s latest survey shows the most severe job losses since the COVID-19 pandemic, with business sentiment hitting a historic low in 2025. Read more

BMW Group Technology Trend Radar: From Vision to Series. 

Scouting for innovations: The Technology Trend Radar helps the BMW Group spot trends early, evaluate them for a specific purpose and develop them for series production. We work with start-ups, universities and research institutes to take innovative solutions from idea to reality – such as the BMW Panoramic Vision, which will make its debut in the Neue Klasse. Read more

Inside CARIAD China: The Role in Volkswagen Group‘s Software Strategy 

CARIAD China is at the core of Volkswagen Group’s digital push in the world’s largest auto market. This article explores its role in shaping next-gen mobility through localized software and innovation. Read more

WLTP compliance made easy for leasing companies 

Many leasing companies often struggle with WLTP compliance due to fragmented data and varying formats from different OEMs. This complexity leads to inefficiencies, and difficulties in predicting costs and setting leasing rates. In addition, compliance risks, such as failing to meet CO2 standards, can result in penalties and damage to reputation. Read more

The AA: FY25 Results – breakout fourth consecutive year of growth, demonstrating fundamental transformation and modernisation of The AA 

Commenting on the FY25 performance, Jakob Pfaudler, CEO, said: “FY25 was a breakout year for The AA, with the continued turnaround of the business culminating in our fourth consecutive year of accelerating growth since the take private in 2021. We have continued to improve the financial health of the business, reducing both our leverage and net debt, further cementing this as a year of success for The AA.” Read more

Falling petrol prices push UK inflation down 

Falling petrol prices drove UK inflation down by more than expected in the year to March. 

Inflation was 2.6%, down from a rate of 2.8% in February, according to official data. Read more

Enterprise Mobility & Children’s Books Ireland Join Forces to Boost Child Literacy 

Enterprise Mobility and Children’s Books Ireland have marked the launch of their fourth year of partnership to increase book ownership among children and boost child literacy across Ireland. Read more

Buyers still use four search sites and spend nearly 50 days choosing a car, finds MOTORS 

MOTORS’ latest Digital Touchpoints Survey reveals in-market car buyers average four search platforms and 48 days in the purchase process, with ICE vehicles still dominating interest. Read more

FCA reduces firm burden for 16,000 firms 

We are proposing to remove unnecessary data reporting for firms, helping to reduce burden and unlock economic growth.  

The 3 collections identified will also be removed from the firm handbook, helping to further simplify our reporting requirements, and deliver on our commitment in our response to the PM’s growth letter.  Read more

Repairify has appointed two new experienced managers as it continues to expand at pace.  Satty Nanuwa joins as national sales and partnership manager, to support the continued focus on the delivery of excellent client service and Shahnaz Alamgir becomes product and digital marketing manager, recruited drive innovative brand development. 

Melissa Mansfield has started a new position as Head of Client Relationships at IAA UK 

According to Reuters, China is banning automakers from using the terms ‘smart driving’ and ‘autonomous driving’ when they advertise driving assistance features, and it will tighten scrutiny of such technology upgrades.