Daily Motor News – Tuesday 27 May 2025    

Ian Plummer, Commercial Director at AutoTrader: “Our research shows a breakthrough for Chinese manufacturers in the UK market over the last 12 months. Several brands are now motoring from a standing start and bigger names like BYD have embedded themselves in the public consciousness. Chinese electric vehicles are cutting edge products, backed by affordable battery technology. Trade turbulence with the US and EU tariffs is also making the UK relatively more attractive as a market. There will be much more to come from Chinese carmakers.” Read more

Fires caused by lithium-ion batteries double in two years 

UK fire brigades are now tackling at least three lithium-ion battery fires a day, following a 93% surge between 2022 and 2024, according to new research from business insurer QBE. Read more

AA shareholders rev up sale of stake in £2.5bn roadside recovery group 

The owners of the AA are exploring the sale of a large stake in the breakdown recovery service two years after taking it private. Sky News has learnt that Towerbrook Capital Partners and Warburg Pincus have hired Goldman Sachs, the investment bank, to advise them on a potential deal. Read more

E-scooters back under the spotlight in the House of Lords: what insurers need to know 

The government’s ongoing struggle to get a grip on e-scooter regulation was back under scrutiny this week as peers raised questions about the insurance implications of illegal e-scooter use. Read more

Mobile phone use can invalidate motor insurance 

Tightening insurance restrictions could leave fleets without cover if a driver involved in a collision is found to have been distracted by their phone. A number of insurers in the Netherlands have become the first to invalidate insurance for drivers who cause crashes while using hand-held phones. Read more

West Yorkshire Police Tackles Vehicle Crime with Support from NVCRP in Successful Week of Action 

In a significant step towards combating vehicle crime across the county, West Yorkshire Police recently completed a highly successful week of action aimed at tackling a wide range of offences related to vehicle theft, drug driving, and road safety. Read more

‘Breakthrough moment’ for Chinese carmakers as US market share soars 

Chinese manufacturers are gripping the imagination of UK buyers after adverts for new Chinese EVs more than 1.4 million views in the opening months of the year, according to new Auto Trader data.  Read more

New car registrations: -1.2% in April 2025 year-to-date; battery-electric 15.3% market share 

In April 2025 year-to-date (YTD), new EU car registrations fell by 1.2% compared to the same period last year. Nonetheless, registrations in April rebounded with a 1.3% year-on-year (YOY) increase, showing signs of recovery despite the ongoing unpredictable global economic environment. Read more

Travel Under Threat: Battery Fires a Growing Concern for Airlines and Travelers 

The weather is getting warmer, and summer travel season is getting underway across the globe. But this year, travel comes with a new kind of turbulence: a constant stream of alarming headlines about battery fires on airplanes. From portable chargers bursting into flames mid-flight to new TSA rules targeting batteries in checked bags, battery safety has become an urgent conversation in aviation. Read more

Breakdowns expected to rise by 11 per cent over the May half-term 

Motorists can expect an 11 per cent increase in breakdowns this half term, as many set off on their spring getaways, according to breakdown provider Green Flag. The busiest roads are expected to be the ones that lead out to the seaside, with breakdown hotspots expected on the M23 down to Brighton and the M5 towards Taunton. Travel between major cities is also expected to spike, with priority breakdowns, due to the location, expected on the M62 from Manchester to Leeds and the M40 towards Birmingham. Read more

Chinese-owned Volvo Cars to cut 3,000 jobs 

Sweden-based car maker Volvo Cars says it will cut around 3,000 jobs as part of its cost-cutting measures. The firm says the layoffs will mainly impact office-based positions in Sweden, representing about 15% of its white collar workforce. Read more

Car repair wait times: complexity and financial strain causing delays 

Drivers are facing increasing delays in getting their cars repaired as cash-strapped manufacturers struggle to maintain a healthy stock of spare parts for an increasingly complex car parc. Read more

Apprenticeship shake-up to shift focus to under-21s 

The government is promising more training for under-21s in England, as it presses ahead with controversial plans to scrap funding for postgraduate apprenticeships. Only students under the age of 21 will qualify for funding for level 7 apprenticeships – the highest level, considered equivalent to a master’s degree – under the plans confirmed on Tuesday. Read more

Data-Driven Safety Solutions Emerge as Answer to Commercial Auto Insurance Crisis 

US: As repair costs and dangerous driving behaviours push premiums higher, monitoring programs demonstrate significant reductions in violations and claims severity, reports SambaSafety. Read more

Motorsport: ‘I was the only female in the room’ 

Getting a racing driver onto the Formula 1 grid takes an army of up to 2,000 people. However, only 10% of these are women. While young girls may perceive motorsport to be male dominated, is the industry on track to become more balanced and show young girls what is possible? Read more

Van Insurance: Which Occupations Get The Lowest Quotes on Average? 

It’s a vital question for many sole traders, small companies and freelance van owner/drivers of course. The occupation makes a big difference as the number of “drops” can vary enormously in a  typical working day. More stops equals more chances of theft, bumps, dings etc although parking all day in a dodgy area can be more risky. It depends, is always the short answer. Meanwhile here’s some pricing info from Go.Compare. Read more

Revolutionising Network Quality Assurance: MONITRR Extends AI-Powered Capabilities 

The MONITRR mission has always been clear: empower OEMs and MSOs with retail and after-sales networks to manage quality assurance and performance improvement with confidence and precision. Today, we’re excited to take that mission one step further. Read more

RACQ ‘not vigorous competitor’, watchdog says 

Australia: The competition regulator has cleared IAG’s $855 million acquisition of RACQ Insurance after finding the Queensland business was “not a particularly vigorous competitor in recent times” and has been losing market share. Read more

Counterfeit automotive parts pour into U.S. and can be a ‘direct risk to safety’ 

US: “Counterfeit parts are more than just a failure in quality: They are a direct risk to safety, where shortcuts in integrity can threaten lives,” said Bob Stewart, president of the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council, an alliance of nearly a dozen North American vehicle manufacturers. Read more

AkzoNobel has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with leading Nordic solar developer and independent power producer Alight, which revolves around the construction of a 15 MWp solar park in Sweden.  

Davies, the leading specialist professional services and technology company serving insurance and highly regulated markets, has secured new credit facilities of £275 million ($370 million) as it seeks to accelerate its organic and M&A growth strategy. 

Kerry Livesey has started a new role as Head of Brand Communications & Experience at Vauxhall Motors Ltd 

Imogen Comerford has been promoted to Senior Implementation Manager at Enterprise Mobility 

Georgina Davis has started a new position as Head of Regional Market – Midlands, South West & Wales at Zurich Insurance