ARC360 News – Friday 14 March 2025

ARC360 Conference 2025: shaping the future of vehicle repair

The ARC360 Conference 2025 is set to be one of the most influential industry gatherings of the year, bringing together leading insurers, repairers, vehicle manufacturers, and supply chain experts to explore the changing dynamics of the motor claims and vehicle repair sector.

Taking place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, this year’s conference will explore the theme: A new era – the changing dynamics of a sector. Full story

This week marked a major milestone for Fix Auto UK, as the network celebrates 20 years since its first franchise partner signed up to the pioneering concept of independent bodyshops working together under a single brand. Full story

KC Autos Blackburn received a 100% pass for its recent BS10125:2022 audit from BSI.

Mustoe’s (Fix Auto Caldicot & Bristol) is now an official Nissan approved bodyshop for the Caldicot area.

Autotech Group with four sites in Taplow, Slough, reading and High Wycombe has passed it latest BSI Kitemark.

R&R Autos has passed its BSI Kitemark BS10125:2022 audit.

Revive! North Yorkshire has launched to deliver smart repairs in areas including Harrogate, Northallerton, Catterick and Skipton.

BASF Coatings and NIO agree on strategic partnership for automotive coatings

BASF Coatings, a leading global supplier of innovative coatings solutions, and NIO, a pioneer in the global smart electric vehicle market, have announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) aimed at establishing a strategic partnership to enhance cooperation in the automotive coatings sector. This collaboration marks a significant step towards achieving a long-term and mutually beneficial relationship, focusing on automotive exterior coatings for NIO’s electric vehicles. Full story

Four Superbrains for the Neue Klasse: More intelligent, more efficient, more powerful

The BMW Group is the first automotive manufacturer to launch a completely newly developed digital nervous system for all drivetrain variants and vehicle segments. It is more intelligent, more powerful and more efficient and will be rolled out for the first time in the models of the Neue Klasse. Four high-performance computers, also called “Superbrains”, consolidate the computing power for the most important customer functions: infotainment, automated driving, driving dynamics, and basic functions such as vehicle access, climate control, and comfort. Full story

Lexus leads on BEV technology innovation, launching Steer-by-wire and virtual manual gear shifting

Lexus reaffirmed its strategic status as the battery electric vehicle technology leader in the Toyota group with the announcement of technical innovations it will bring to Europe’s BEV market in the coming year.

Hosting the world premiere of its new RZ luxury electric SUV in Brussels, the company revealed that this model will introduce both a steer by wire system and Interactive Manual Drive, a software-based system which replicates the experience of manual gear shifting. These innovations demonstrate how Lexus is combining advanced hardware and cutting-edge software to realise its ambitions to develop software-derived vehicles. Full story

Incentives needed to convert ‘electric sceptics’ to EV benefits  

The automotive industry has called on government to act fast to convert Britain’s electric sceptics to the benefits of EVs, by using purchase incentives to stimulate greater demand. Such measures would boost the market by a further 15% on top of current outlooks – delivering a total of two million new EVs by 2028, increasing business for chargepoints, insurance, maintenance and other sectors, whilst drastically reducing road transport emissions. Full story

Toyota expands its battery electric model range across Europe’s core segments

Toyota is delivering on its promise to introduce a series of new battery electric models to the European market, strengthening the role they play in the company’s multi-pathway technology approach to achieving carbon neutrality in the region by 2035. This week, Toyota has revealed the latest additions to its BEV range, demonstrating how concepts shown previously have been successfully developed into production-ready models. Full story

The most common car insurance claims

Accidental damage without injury – such as a collision where no one was hurt – is the most common type of car insurance claim, Which? research has found.Our survey of 4,719 car insurance customers who’d made a claim in the past two years revealed accidental damage without injury accounted for 49% of claims.  Windscreen damage came second, with 16%. While 12% of claims were for accidental damage with injuries, and 11% for theft or burglary. Full story

Drivalia appoints Motor Assist for accident management and mobility solutions

Drivalia has signed up Motor Assist to support its expansion with a range of accident management and mobility solutions. Full story

One in three school leavers struggle to find apprenticeships

The future of the accident repair industry depends on a strong pipeline of new talent and apprenticeships are a crucial way to bring young people into the sector, offering hands on experience and a direct path into skilled employment. However, similarly to employers, school leavers are also struggling to navigate the apprenticeship landscape. Full story

CarInsurent Reveals Emerging Trends in Rental Car Insurance Claims for 2025

Recent data analysis has identified significant trends shaping the landscape of rental car insurance claims. A detailed examination of industry patterns highlights key insights into claim frequency, common causes, and evolving consumer behaviours in rental car insurance. Full story

Government announces Implementation Programme for Automated Vehicles Act: What insurers need to know

The UK is taking significant steps towards integrating automated vehicles (AVs) into everyday life, with the recent launch of the Automated Vehicles Act Implementation Programme (AVAIP). This programme sets the stage for the safe deployment of self-driving vehicles on UK roads by 2027 and outlines a comprehensive framework for their regulation, trialling, and ongoing operation. Full story

Over 40 uninsured vehicles taken off Luton roads in just 8 hours

An intensive day of action has seen 43 uninsured vehicles taken off the road across Luton.

On 11 March, the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Road Policing Unit (BCH RPU) and MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) worked together to focus on LU1, LU2, LU3 and LU4 post code areas, reminding drivers it is their responsibility to ensure appropriate motor insurance is in place. Full story

Tracker and the Police shut down 60 illegal chop shops in 2024

Tracker and UK police forces uncovered a record 60 illegal ‘chop shops’ in 2024. This compares to just two chop shops found in 2020 and underlines the rapid growth of organised crime gangs in using chop shops to dismantle stolen cars, strip them of parts and sell them on for profit. It’s a lucrative business for the unscrupulous, but in 2024, not only did Tracker and the police shut down an unparalleled number of chop shops, but they also made significant strides in outsmarting thieves by making 144 arrests – an increase of 80% year-on-year. Full story

Government must act on car insurance costs

The DUP’s Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart is seeking an urgent meeting with the Transport Secretary to discuss how Government will tackle the dramatic rise in car insurance premiums, which have increased by 42% in the last financial year, according to the Office for National Statistics. Full story

Repairify Italia celebrates one year of growth and success

In February 2025, Repairify Italia is celebrating its first anniversary, marking a year of considerable growth and success. Since its launch in 2024, the company has quickly established itself as a leading supplier of remote diagnostic products and services for the independent aftermarket and glass repair sectors across Europe.