Daily Motor News – Thursday 30 January 2025 

“If 2024 was the year of elections, 2025 is the year of legislation. The EU is seeing emission targets come into place, Trump’s presidency promises change for the US, and China continues the popular trade-in scheme. Still, we anticipate a steady year of EV sales growth across all regions, with China continuing to lead the charge.

“China’s grip on the global market isn’t going anywhere this year with several new plants set to open around the world, expanding its foothold internationally. Car manufacturer bosses in the EU will be experiencing some sleepless nights in 2025 as long-anticipated emissions targets come into effect this year and few are adequately prepared with billions of euros of fines on the line,” said Iola Hughes, Head of Research for Rho Motion. Full story

UK reportedly planning electric car loan subsidies to push sales

The UK government is reportedly considering subsidising purchases of electric vehicles by guaranteeing consumer loans, as it looks at ways to boost sales that are failing to reach official targets. Ministers have started talks with the car finance sector on how to make more low-interest or interest-free loans available to help consumers buy more EVs. Full story

SMEs consider themselves ‘too small’ to fall victim to cyber-attacks – according to new ABI report

Despite considering themselves too small to be targeted, small & medium enterprises (SMEs) are severely exposed to the risk of cyber-attacks and are not taking advantage of cyber insurance to help mitigate this risk, according to research from the Association of British Insurers (ABI). Launched at the ABI’s inaugural Cyber Conference, the research identifies a severe cyber protection gap in the SME segment, which in turn makes these businesses a far easier and a more attractive target for cyber criminals. Full story

Car insurance comparison firm’s advice after LED headlight survey

Eighty-five per cent of respondents to a survey have said they have experienced temporary blindness or dazzling from bright LED headlights – with the statistic coming as insurance company Tiger issues practical advice to drivers to reduce risks. The survey for the car insurance comparison site also found that 89% of drivers support a government safety assessment on the issue, while 41% believe LED lights should be banned entirely. Full story

Three years on, are you aware of the important Highway Code changes?

A new “hierarchy of road users” was introduced to improve safety for vulnerable road users in January 2022. However, three years on, GEM is concerned that the new rules – and the responsibility now placed on drivers – are not well enough understood. In 2023, 405 pedestrians were killed on the roads of Great Britain with 6067 seriously injured. 87 pedal cyclists were killed with 4,942 seriously injured. Full story

Staffordshire car theft gang targeted vehicles worth £1.1m in huge crime spree

Members of a car theft gang in Staffordshire targeted vehicles worth around £1.1m in a huge crime spree. Now they have been hit with a combined jail term of just over 16 years after the enterprise was brought down by county detectives. The 11-strong gang are said to have been behind 43 thefts and attempted thefts of vehicles across Staffordshire, the wider West Midlands and Derbyshire. Full story

Vehicle production dips amid EV transformation and intense market pressure

UK vehicle production dipped below one million units in 2024, according to the latest figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Factories turned out 779,584 cars and 125,649 commercial vehicles (CVs), a total of 905,233 units and -11.8% lower than in 2023. Full story

Tesla commits to cheaper cars in first half, sees autonomous vehicles ‘in the wild’ in June

Tesla said it was on track to roll out new, cheaper electric vehicle models in the first half of 2025 and would start testing a paid autonomous car service in June, enthusing investors and overshadowing quarterly results that fell short of Wall Street expectations on Wednesday. Full story

Flexis presents range of vehicles and embedded solutions for electric, connected urban logistics

Flexis is revolutionising urban logistics with three innovative electric vehicle models, which are fully electric, urban proof, connected, and customizable. The platform enables the vehicles to send real-time data to fleet management operators to maximize operational efficiency, as well as receive over the air updates, essentially making the vehicle a computer on wheels. Full story

NBRA seeks feedback on EDAM administration

The NBRA is working with the administrators of the EDAM Group, Interpath, to support any bodyshops impacted by the announcement on 6 January that the business is closing. It has taken legal advice and is now urging any repairers with unpaid invoices, vehicles still on site or repairs that have not yet commenced to contact the NBRA or fill in a survey to help the NBRA present a coordinated and centralised response. Full story

FMG Repair Services improve repair duration times with in-house ADAS recalibration provision

Accident repair specialists FMG Repair Services continues its investment in efficient vehicle repair solutions with the introduction of cutting edge ADAS recalibration equipment at all of its UK-wide Bodyshops. This new on-site technology, provided through a collaboration with advanced vehicle calibration specialist Repairify, will streamline repair cycle times by greatly reducing the need for third-party service providers to perform ADAS recalibration following vehicle repairs. Full story

Carpenters Group awarded Elevate EBP 2025 Patron Status

Carpenters Group has been awarded Elevate EBP 2025 Patron Status in recognition of its unwavering commitment to supporting young people across the Liverpool City Region. This honour reflects the company’s dedication to helping young individuals explore career options, develop essential skills, and build confidence for their future. Full story

FISITA welcomes Thatcham Research as a Corporate Member

Thatcham Research has joined FISITA as a Corporate Member. FISITA iscommitted to promoting excellence in mobility engineering by cultivating international engagement and peer group collaboration within a pre-competitive environment, bringing businesses together to ensure mobility remains sustainable and accessible to all. Full story

Charles Trent unveils green Parts Portal

Charles Trent has launched its innovative B2B Parts Portal to help businesses source and order high-quality green parts. The portal provides instant access to Charles Trent’s live database of over 100,000 quality-assured green parts, all available for next-day delivery. Full story

BYD Executive Vice-President Stella Li has been voted 2025 World Car Person of the Year by a group of the world’s leading automotive journalists, recognising the progress made by the global leader in new-energy vehicles under her guidance during 2024.

US-based car dealer Group 1 Automotive increased UK profits by 36.6% to £120m in 2024 following the successful purchase of a series of dealerships.

Harps Joseph has been named Head of Product at cinch.