Daily Motor News – Tuesday 7 January 2025

A word from…

David Borland, EY UK & Ireland Automotive Leader: ““Regulatory compliance, improving consumer sentiment around EVs, and boosting retail demand will likely be among manufacturers’ top priorities for the year ahead. Furthermore, the emergence of Chinese manufacturers and their Electric Vehicle (EV) offerings in the UK will further develop this year, which is expected to increase the availability of competitively priced BEVs. This could provide a welcome boost to the retail sector but will undoubtedly pose challenges to existing manufacturers in the market as the level of competition intensifies.” Full story

EDAM Group enters into administration

Ryan Grant and Richard Harrison were appointed Joint Administrators of Easi-Drive Limited, EDAM Group Limited and Credit Repair Limited on 6 January 2025. Ryan Grant and Richard Harrison are authorised to act as insolvency practitioners by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. Full story

Pothole insurance claims surge in last two years

A recent report from Admiral Car Insurance has highlighted a 62% surge in pothole-related insurance claims over the past two years, prompting calls for increased action on road maintenance across the UK. The data shows that claims in 2024 were 14% higher than in 2023, which had already been a record-breaking year. Full story

Road fatalities surge among those not wearing seat belts

The latest analysis from the Department for Transport (DfT) have shown that 40% of back seat passengers killed in car crashes were not wearing their seat belts. The data shows that the proportion of car occupants who die in crashes while unrestrained drops to 23% for drivers and 19% for passengers in the front seat. Full story

Coroner urges action after e-scooter rider’s death

E-scooter riders should be made to wear helmets, a coroner has ruled following the death of a man in Nottingham. In a report to the secretary of state for transport, Nottinghamshire assistant coroner Nathanael Hartley has raised concerns of a risk of death to riders of e-scooters and bicycles not wearing protective headgear, even at low speeds. Full story

Cross-pavement solutions for charging electric vehicles

The Department for Transport has published new guidance designed to help local authorities in England to develop policies about the safe and effective use of cross-pavement solutions, which can provide residents with convenient charging options. The guidance includes case studies of local authorities that have successfully trialled installation. Full story

Electric van demand static in 2024 despite biggest overall market in three years

The UK’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market rose by three per cent to surpass 350,000 registrations in 2024, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A robust December with 27,221 new LCVs registered rounded off a total of 351,834 new vans, pick-ups and 4x4s across the year – making 2024 the best year of fleet renewal since 2021. Full story

Genisis showcases world-first heated windscreen technology

Genesis is testing the future of heated windscreen technology, with a world-first 48-volt Metal-Coated Heated Glass system developed by Hyundai Motor Group. Genesis’ Metal-Coated Heated Glass clears 100% of frost from the windscreen surface within five minutes – three times more quickly than conventional systems in sub-zero conditions. Full story

Hyundai Motor and Kia unveil IGIS: An advanced system for comprehensive carbon emissions management

Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have announced the development of the Integrated Greenhouse Gas Information System (IGIS), a cutting-edge platform designed to monitor, quantify and manage carbon emissions throughout the entire vehicle lifecycle. Full story

Repair Capacity Rebound: The new priorities for insurers & repair partners

For the past few years, the UK’s vehicle repair industry has been defined by a number of key challenges – including a lack of capacity to cater for customer demand. However, data now reveals that UK repair capacity is fast returning to pre-COVID levels, with demand falling to its lowest point since 2021, and new repair centres opening across the UK. Full story

Pricing trends continue to stabilise as we enter 2025

The average price of a used car in December was £16,649, down 0.6% Month-on-Month (MoM) vs November, on a like-for-like basis according to the latest data from the Auto Trader Retail Price Index, (RPI) which assesses over 800,000 daily pricing observations from across the whole retail market. Full story

Protecta rebrands to Assurant

Assurant, a global provider of risk solutions, has finalised the rebrand of Protecta Insurance to Assurant, marking the completion of its acquisition announced in December 2022. Alongside the rebrand, Assurant introduced the Assurant Vehicle Care suite, consolidating its automotive products and solutions under one unified brand. Full story

Carwow predicts strong demand in used car market for early 2025

UK-based online car marketplace Carwow has forecasted a strong first quarter for the used car market in 2025. The company reported a 49% increase in used car enquiries through its platform in the last quarter of 2024 compared with the same period in 2023. Full story

Silverlake joins NBRA as Gold Supplier Member

Silverlake Automotive Recycling has become a member of the National Body Repair Association [NBRA]. The move comes as the business continues to collaborate with the industry to meet the growing demand for its green, reclaimed parts. Full story

Romans Group releases annual White Paper on collision marketplace

The Romans Group has announced that its annual white paper, “A 2023 Profile of the Evolving US and Canadian Collision Repair Marketplace”, is now available. The report contains the complete results of their research and analysis of the U.S. and Canadian collision repair markets for 2023. Full story

Briefs

Citizens Advice, which helps millions of people find a way forward every year by providing free, independent and impartial advice, and Aviva have renewed their multi-year partnership after two successful years. Full story