ARC360 News – Friday 20 March 2026

Insurers and VMs rally for ARC360 2026

ARC360 2026 is set to bring together the most influential voices in UK vehicle repair when it returns to the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, on Thursday 21 May. With around 30 insurer brands and more than 10 vehicle manufacturers already confirmed, along with many of the UK’s most ‘future ready’ repairers, ARC360 continues to cement its place as a vital forum for the claims and repair sector. Read more

Fix Auto UK’s strength and presence across the West Midlands continues to grow, with the Group announcing its second appointment in the region since the start of the year. Autocraft of Kenilworth, which will now operate as Fix Auto Kenilworth, has joined the organisation following the recent addition of Fix Auto Stourport.

Motofix Group is pleased to confirm that it has achieved ARIES Maturity Level 4, following the submission of its Declaration of Achievement and Carbon Reduction Management Plan. Read more

Neil Berryman has started a new position as Managing Director at R & P Accident Repair Centre.

Nova Automotive Group has announced its next site is set to be Nova Sevenoaks.

This Sunday colleagues from across Lloyd Motor Group will take on the Carlisle Half Marathon, raising vital funds for Cancer Research UK in tribute to its founder, Bryan Lloyd, and in support of everyone affected by cancer. Read more

Rob Harbord, Head of Group Compliance – Shorade UK & Finesse Accident Repair Centres, is taking on the Twighlight Walk in London on Saturday in memory of his brother Colin Harbord who sadly died recently due to a gliblastoma brain tumour just nine months after being diagnosed. Read more

KC Autos Accident Repair Centres Ltd has one again passed its VAG audit.

CarComm Coachworks HQ has now been officially rebranded as Steer Commercial Heathrow, part of the Steer Automotive Group.

Clarke & Evans Accident Repair Specialists has successfully passed its recent VWG and Kia approved repairer audits, scoring 100% and 99.8% respectively.

Stellantis has kicked off the first leg of its 2026 Stellantis Regional Forums for its Northern repairers, with a meeting held in Scotland at the Glasgow Westerwood Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort.

Fix Auto UK has launched EmpowHER, a new Women’s Leadership Programme designed to attract, support, retain and elevate female talent across its network. Read more

Nissan and Motability Operations announce strategic British-built Vehicle-to-Grid partnership to help reduce EV running costs

Nissan and Motability Operations have agreed a landmark strategic partnership to explore how Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology could help reduce electricity costs for EV drivers. The collaboration centres on the British-built all-new Nissan LEAF and demonstrates how British manufacturing and innovation can support both drivers and the wider UK economy. Read more

Volvo Cars recognised as a world leader in software-defined cars

Volvo Cars has achieved the highest possible ranking on carmakers’ software defined capabilities by S&P Global Mobility. It is the only legacy carmaker globally to reach Level 5 SDV (software-defined vehicle) capability. Read more

Uber and Rivian Partner to Deploy up to 50,000 Fully Autonomous Robotaxis 

Rivian Automotive, Inc and Uber Technologies, Inc today announced a partnership to help accelerate both companies’ autonomous vehicle plans, expecting to deploy 10,000 fully autonomous R2 robotaxis in the first phase of R2 robotaxi deployment. Initial deployments are expected to begin in San Francisco and Miami in 2028 and will expand to 25 cities by 2031. Read more

All-new MGS9 PHEV adds value and style to the 7-seat large SUV sector

The new MGS9 PHEV is the first 7-seat, large SUV from MG and offers a spacious and versatile interior with three rows of seats. It features up to 16 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) constantly monitoring the road ahead to help protect the vehicle and its occupants. The MGS9 PHEV is another model to benefit from the MG Pilot Custom function that allows drivers to conveniently customise and save their favourite driver assistance systems. Read more

Hyundai Motor, Kia and NVIDIA Expand Strategic Partnership for Next-Generation Autonomous Driving Technology 

NVIDIA today announced an expanded collaboration with Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation to advance next-generation autonomous driving technologies built on the NVIDIA DRIVE Hyperion autonomous vehicle development platform. Read more

The future of total loss belongs to the few who choose differently 

In a market dominated by scale, automation, and consolidation, it has become fashionable to talk about efficiency as if it were the only currency that matters. But at e2e, we see something different happening beneath the surface of the UK motor claims industry – something more nuanced, more human, and far more consequential. Read more

Thatcham Research flags SERMI concerns 

Thatcham Research has raised awareness of growing industry concern ahead of the introduction of the Security-Related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) scheme, set to come into force on 1 April 2026. Read more

Government incentives boost case for apprenticeships

A new government-backed employment drive is expected to unlock up to 200,000 apprenticeship opportunities across the UK – creating a powerful incentive for employers to invest in future talent according to Apprenticeship Central. Read more

IMI welcomes latest youth employment drive

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has welcomed the government’s announcement of a major employment drive aimed at unlocking 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships for young people, particularly the £2,000 incentive for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) recruiting 16–24 year olds. Read more

NWVA and New Era Energy drive low-carbon fleet transformation 

Vehicle recovery and fuel supply specialists NWVA and New Era Energy have announced a strategic partnership focused on accelerating low-emission transport through the adoption of renewable fuels. Read more

‘No quick fix for local roads’, reports ALARM 2026 survey 

ALARM 2026 data reveals that local authorities in England and Wales now face a record £18.62 billion backlog of carriageway repairs that would take 12 years to clear, despite an increase in funding. Read more

Nation’s Driver’s Pay Record £1.8bn As Pothole Damage Reaches New High 

The latest annual report on pothole damage by Kwik Fit today reveals that the cost of repairs has reached a new high, with the nation’s drivers shelling out a total of £1.8bn in the last twelve months. Read more

Autotrader reveal used car price stable as forecourts fire up in fast-paced February

The UK used car market maintained strong momentum throughout February, underpinned by stable pricing and a definitive shift toward high-intent consumer buying behaviour. According to the latest Autotrader Retail Price Index, which uses AI to analyse circa 800,000 daily pricing observations across the retail market, average month-on-month (MoM) prices remained flat at 0.0%. Read more

Jemca Car Group renews BCA partnership until 2029

Jemca Car Group has signed an exclusive new three-year deal with BCA that will see over 6,000 cars sold via BCA Online. The Jemca Car Group operates Toyota and Lexus dealerships in London, Reading and Bracknell. Formed in 2003, it is now established as one of the largest Toyota Lexus groups in the UK. Read more

Stephen Crofton has recently moved into a new role as Category Manager within LKQ UK and Ireland supporting its Collision & Coatings business.

Chris Purdey has started a new role as Product Manager Paint & Refinish at Alliance Automotive Group.

FleetSafe has appointed Jamie Sopp, Founder of Sopp & Sopp as Vice President.

Silverlake Automotive Recycling is delighted to announce the appointment of Neil Joslin as a director, bringing over three decades of industry experience to support the company’s strategic growth plans and further enhance service for valued partners and customers nationwide.