Daily Motor News – Wednesday 17 December 2025 

European Commission President von der Leyen said: “Innovation. Clean mobility. Competitiveness. This year, these were top priorities in our intense dialogues with automotive sector, civil society organisations and stakeholders. And today, we are addressing them all together. As technology rapidly transforms mobility and geopolitics reshapes global competition, Europe remains at the forefront of the global clean transition.” Read more

ThingCo returns to ILC as Motor Corporate Partner 

Telematics insurtech, ThingCo has re-joined ILC as a Motor Corporate Partner following a brief hiatus. Established in 2018 by Mike Brockman, the Founder of insurethebox, the world’s first telematics only insurer, ThingCo has developed a range of software tools that are tailored to the needs of insurers. Read more 

Motor Networking Lunch countdown begins 

Final preparations are underway for ILC’s Motor Claims Networking Lunch 2026, with the sector once again set to unite in support of Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity. Taking place on 16 January 2026 at London’s iconic Grosvenor House, Park Lane, the sell-out event will welcome more than 750 key figures from across the motor claims industry. Now nearing capacity, the lunch promises to be one of the biggest and best yet, offering high-level networking, insight and community impact in equal measure. Read more

Claims in 2025: Pressure, Complexity and Change 

The CII Claims Board reflects on a demanding year shaped by legal uncertainty, economic strain and climate volatility – one that has reinforced the central role of claims in maintaining trust across the insurance sector. Read more

Howden teams up with MyFirst 

Howden joined forces with MyFirst to introduce a young driver partnership, making car insurance more accessible to new, young drivers. The tailored service is now available at any of Howden’s UK local high street branches. Read more

Ageas UK announces Executive Team transitions ahead of esure integration 

Ageas UK today announces executive leadership changes, as it accelerates the move to a unified business and governance structure for Ageas and esure. With esure and Ageas becoming one business under the leadership of Ant Middle as UK CEO, Peter Martin-Simon – who took on the role as CEO at esure in October – has decided the time is right to leave the business in April. Caroline Smith, Chief People Officer, will also leave the business to pursue an opportunity in private equity at the end of March. Read more

Allianz unwraps Christmas mishaps: Past, present and future 

On average, Brits travel over 65 miles by car visiting friends and family, with Allianz UK seeing breakdowns increase by 32% when comparing the number of jobs between November 2024 and January 2025. Read more

Commission takes action for clean and competitive automotive sector 

The European Commission today presented the Automotive Package to support the sector’s efforts in the transition to clean mobility. It sets an ambitious yet pragmatic policy framework to ensure 2050 climate neutrality and strategic independence while providing more flexibility to manufacturers. It also responds to calls by EU industry to simplify rules. Read more

“Automotive Package” delivers first important step to amending CO2 legislation for cars and vans 

With the publication of the “automotive package”, the European Commission has made a first step to creating a more pragmatic and flexible pathway to align decarbonisation with competitiveness and resilience objectives. Read more

Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing for Autopilot and Full Self-Driving, judge rules 

An administrative law judge has ruled that Tesla engaged in deceptive marketing that gave customers a false impression of the capabilities of its Autopilot and Full Self-Driving driver assistance software, a pivotal development in a years-long case initiated by California’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Read more

November 2025 new car pre-registration figures 

SMMT released figures for November pre-registrations in the UK new car market. The data shows the number of cars disposed of by vehicle manufacturers in November 2025 that were defined as pre-registrations. Read more

How will the changes to workers’ rights affect you? 

A major shake-up of workers’ rights is on its way, but the government has U-turned on some reforms and it is still unclear how other proposals will work in practice. The government has said the measures in the Employment Rights Bill, expected to gain royal assent before Christmas, mark the “biggest upgrade to rights at work for a generation”. Read more

Experts warn Christmas traffic will be at its busiest in 48 hours 

As the festive season approaches, millions of Brits are preparing to hit the road to spend Christmas with loved ones, and Friday 19th December is due to be the nation’s busiest travel day according to new research. Read more

New York Says Cab, Rideshare Insurance Rates to Rise 25% 

US: New York officials have told rideshare companies, driver representatives and others in the for-hire vehicle industry that insurance policy rates will rise by an average 25% over the next three years, according to people with knowledge of the state’s plans, likely sending passenger fares up as a result. Read more