ARC360 News – Friday 07 November 2025

Parkway Prestige has become the first accident repair centre in the UK to install the PaintGo UK Intelligent Spray Painting Robot.

Steer Automotive Group has announced the acquisition of Lloyds Autobody Ltd, an established luxury vehicle repair specialist with operations in Liverpool and Manchester. Read more

Paul Underdown has started a new role as Managing Director at Hilton Coachworks.

Graham Prew has started a new role as Regional Manager (South West) at FMG Repair Services.

L&I Eaton ARC Ltd Aberdeen Central has been announced as the Allianz UK September 2025 CSI monthly winner. Meanwhile,  L&I Eaton ARC Ltd Lincoln South has successfully completed and passed its BSI audit.

CRS has announced plans to open a brand-new, state-of-the-art bodyshop in Sheffield.  The facility will be dedicated to providing top-tier service for its commercial vehicle customers. Adjacent to its HGV operations, the business will also be launching a specialist EV centre.

Motofix Prestige Paint & Body Centre in Cirencester has achieved OMODA and JAECOO vehicle manufacturer approval.

Supported by ECS, Simon Bailes Accident Repair Centre in Northallerton has achieved its second 100% BSI Kitemark BS 10125:2022 audit pass.

Thatcham Research has hosted its Repair Sector Technology Working Group where it welcomed 12 guests from 10 different repairers to share ideas and explore what’s shaping the future of repair.

A number of key staff from Revive! Head Office recently took some time out of their day to support the next generation of job hunters from Ashlawn School in Rugby with a series of Mock Job Interviews. Read more

Fix Auto Park Royal has become the 10th UK repairer to install 3M RepairStack Performance Solutions. Read more

JLR launches free education resource programme in schools to help close the UK STEM skills gap

JLR has launched Create Possible ‑ a free online education programme for teachers and students aged 11–14, to help tackle classroom challenges and support efforts to close the UK’s STEM skills gap. Read more

Hyundai Motor Group opens new European test facility to lead development of next-generation technology

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) has today announced the opening of a new €150m facility at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC) in Rüsselsheim am Main, Germany, marking a major milestone in its commitment to European innovation and engineering excellence. Read more

Volvo Cars outlines strategy for building a stronger, more profitable company

“Electrification is an opportunity for us and the main driver for growth,” says Håkan Samuelsson, President and CEO for Volvo Cars. “In a hypercompetitive industry, our unique relationship with Geely is also a strong asset for creating a better cost structure and developing attractive regional cars.” Read more

BMW Group on track to meet full-year targets

Oliver Zipse, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG: “With the Neue Klasse, we are making a major leap forward – in technology, driving experience and design. Our entire product line-up will benefit from these innovations within a short timeframe: Between now and 2027, we will bring 40 new and updated models to market – across all segments and drive train variants. Next year, we will already celebrate the next premiere, with the BMW i3, as we electrify the heart of BMW.” Read more

XPENG shares achievements in physical AI emergence: unveils XPENG VLA 2.0, Robotaxi, next-gen iron, and flying car

The 2025 XPENG AI Day with the theme of “Emergence” was successfully held at XPENG Science Park in Guangzhou. At the event site, XPENG unveiled four important applications centered around “Physical AI”, including XPENG VLA 2.0, XPENG Robotaxi, XPENG Next-Gen IRON, and two sets of flying systems from ARIDGE, outlining a clear picture of future mobility with Physical AI. Read more

Toyota introduces ground breaking three-year fixed price insurance offer for new cars 

Toyota is taking the sting out of the annual motor insurance renewal process with a new three-year fixed price insurance offer. Customers buying a new car between 1 November and 31 January next year can take advantage of insurance cover with the same price guaranteed for three years. Read more

Ticker signs five-year partnership with Allianz UK 

Ticker has announced a five-year partnership with Allianz, one of the world’s leading insurers. From 1 November 2025, Allianz will provide underwriting and claims support as an integrated service across Ticker’s full portfolio – including products for young drivers, older drivers, van drivers, motorists with convictions and low-mileage customers through our pay-per-mile product. Read more

From Westminster to Brussels: Why Apprenticeship Reform Needs More Than Good Intentions

At its recent conference, the UK’s governing Labour party reaffirmed its drive to rebuild the country’s skills system, setting a new ambition for two-thirds of young people to reach higher-level learning by the time they’re 25 and committing to new investment in education. Read more

BCA & Lloyds Banking Group announce renewal of five year Outsourced Remarketing Contract 

BCA and Lloyds Banking Group have announced the renewal of one of the UK’s largest volume contracts in the used automotive sector, extending their strategic partnership for a further five years. The renewed agreement, now running until 2031, will see BCA continue to deliver a comprehensive range of outsourced vehicle remarketing services for Lloyds Banking Group’s key brands—Lex Autolease, Black Horse, and Tusker Direct. Read more

IPS joins ACIS

Independent Paint Supplies (IPS) has officially joined the ACIS Group – one of the UK’s leading refinish distribution networks. With branches in Swansea and Cardiff, IPS now strengthens ACIS’s coverage across Wales and the South-West, combining exceptional local service with the national strength of more than 40 locations across the UK. Read more

Europcar builds on commitment to sustainable motoring with The Green Parts Specialists partnership

Europcar Mobility Group UK has joined forces with The Green Parts Specialists, powered by Copart, an industry leader in used and salvage car auctions, for the provision of green parts to sustainably repair Europcar vehicles. Read more

VRA launches dedicated resource for the UK’s EV battery diagnostics sector 

The Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) has launched its EV Battery State of Health (SoH) Directory. The directory lists UK-based and UK-active providers of EV battery SoH checks, including contact details, accreditations, and guidance on why battery health matters for remarketing. Read more

TyreSafe launches six-week national drive on fleet tyre safety 

TyreSafe has launched a six-week national educational push on fleet tyre safety, supported by three brand-new toolkits designed to help organisations strengthen compliance, improve driver safety, and reduce operating costs. Read more

ITAS – International Technical Automotive Systems is pleased to announce the appointment of Jason Vizor as Technical Trainer and Consultant, effective from 1 December 2025.

Michael Wicks has started the new position of Proprietor at Body Repair Solutions.

Rob Walker has started a new position as Manager at NWVA.