ARC360 News – Friday 24 April 2026

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The Vella Group has announced the acquisition of GB Flint Coachworks, marking its 20th bodyshop location across England and Wales and strengthening its footprint in the Midlands. Read more

M&A Coachworks, part of the Steer Luxury Collection, has been awarded Bentley Bodyshop of the Year 2026.

Fix Auto UK has further strengthened its presence in the North West with the appointment of Preston-based Ashton Repair Centre. The 12,000sqft facility, acquired by local businessmen Ketan Panchal and Jeevan Singh in October last year, will now operate as Fix Auto Preston.

Fix Auto Lichfield is now an now an Authorised and Approved Repairer for Mercedes Benz Commercials Mertrux Truck & Van.

Steer Commercial Heathrow (previously CarComm Coachworks) has been named winner in the ‘Bodyshop of the Year’ category at the Motor Trader Commercial Industry Awards 2026.

Young entrepreneur Adam Ahmid to expand his presence in the vehicle repair sector by acquiring Fix Auto Atherstone. The 25-year-old, who is already a partner in a repair centre in the West Midlands, has taken ownership of the North Warwickshire site after previous owner Garry Wall decided to step back to focus on his main business interests outside the sector.

Activate Group has appointed Robert Deane as Managing Director of Activate Accident Repair and Activate Parts, reinforcing its leadership team as the business continues to develop its repair and parts operations.

Cosmetic Repair Solutions Ltd (CRS) has launched a new video introducing its brand-new flagship vehicle accident repair centre based in Catcliffe, Rotherham, South Yorkshire. Read more

East Bilney Coachworks Ltd’s Dereham branch has recently completed its first BSI audit under the stewardship of Bodyshop Manager Sarah Haverson. The business passed with zero conformities.

Alexis Prince-Donoghue has stepped into an expanded role as Head of Sales & Strategic Partnerships at Castle Vehicle Servicing (CVS), Northampton, alongside continuing to lead Group Marketing for both Castle Coachworks (Northampton) Ltd and CVS.

Stellantis accelerates AI-led strategy and digital transformation through strategic collaboration with Microsoft to enhance customer experiences

Stellantis and Microsoft have announced a five‑year strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating Stellantis’ digital transformation through the co‑development of advanced AI, cybersecurity and engineering capabilities. Read more

AION V secures insurance rating

The AION V electric SUV has achieved a group 32 insurance rating following a 12-month collaboration with Thatcham Research, marking a key milestone ahead of its UK launch. The rating places the AION V among the more favourably positioned electric family SUVs from new market entrants, reflecting a focused effort to align the vehicle with UK insurance and repair expectations. The collaboration formed part of AION Auto UK’s preparation for entering the UK market, with the model set to launch later this month. Read more

ID. Buzz range starts the summer with technology updates

A new evolutionary stage of Travel Assist will be optionally available for the ID. Buzz. Given the system’s use of a wide range of online data, it has been renamed Connected Travel Assist. The enhanced assist system now also reacts to traffic lights – if the system detects a red traffic light, it automatically brakes the ID. Buzz to a standstill.Another new feature is one-pedal driving, which enables rapid deceleration of the VW Bus to a standstill through regulation of the accelerator alone. Read more

Geely Auto Group Announced Changes to Its European Executive Structure

Geely Auto Group has announced two new appointments to the executive structure of Geely Auto Europe. This new role arrangement is intended to solidify Geely Auto Group’s “One Geely” strategy in Europe by deepening “Geely & Zeekr” Dual-brand operation and strengthening back-end resource sharing. Under the new leadership structure of Geely Auto Europe, Aiden He was appointed CEO of Geely Brand Europe and VP Strategy & Product at Geely Auto Europe. Lothar Schupet took on the role of CEO of Zeekr Brand Europe and VP Brand & User Growth at Geely Auto Europe. Read more

Hyundai Motor Europe Introduces IONIQ 3

ONIQ 3 is equipped with Hyundai’s latest SmartSense advanced driver assistance systems to support safety and reduce driver workload. Key features include Highway Driving Assist 2 (HDA2), Remote Smart Parking Assist (RSPA), Memory Reverse Assist (MRA), Surround View Monitor (SVM) and Blind-Spot View Monitor (BVM), supported by seven standard airbags. Projection LED headlamps with Intelligent Front-Lighting System (IFS) and dynamic welcome lighting further enhance visibility and safety in everyday driving conditions. Read more

Volvo Cars starts production of game-changing EX60 electric SUV

The EX60, revealed to universal acclaim in January, is designed to be a game changer for Volvo Cars and its customers. It delivers class-leading range of up to 810km, charges from 10-80 per cent in 16 minutes, and is priced in line with the company’s best-selling XC60 plug-in hybrid. Read more

MINI marks 25 years of modern production with celebration of British manufacturing excellence

2026 marks a major milestone for MINI as the iconic brand celebrates 25 years since production of the modern MINI began under BMW Group – a quarter century defined by innovation, design and unmistakable British spirit. Read more

Artemis joins ILC as Corporate Partner

Specialist third party property damage provider Artemis has become the latest organisation to join ILC as a Motor Corporate Partner. The business brings a unique focus to the claims sector, operating as a dedicated third party property damage (TPPD) specialist. Artemis supports the motor claims journey by managing all aspects of third party, motor-related property damage – from initial claims through to complete repairs – offering a seamless, end-to-end solution. Read more

ERS: Brace for impact: motor claims inflation reaccelerates 

Motor claims inflation has traditionally tracked above Consumer Price Index (CPI) and remains one of the most acute pressures facing the UK retail insurance market. Inflation rose exponentially post-COVID but had begun to stabilise over the last 12 months as disruption to the supply chain eased and market conditions began to normalise. Read more

Inside Ford Certified Used Parts: Turning Reuse into a Trusted Choice 

Ford Certified Used Parts aims to solve the trust gap that still holds back used parts adoption. By combining established dismantling capability with Ford-backed standards, testing, traceability and ecommerce support, the programme is designed to make reused parts a credible first-choice option rather than a risky fallback for repairs. Read more

What the industry keeps getting wrong about young drivers 

Is the under-25 motor market really in decline, or has the industry just stopped trying? That was the question at the heart of Consumer Intelligence’s latest webinar, and the answer from the panel was unambiguous: the market hasn’t gone anywhere. It’s been pushed away. Read more

Solera introduces AI Engine, a cloud-native intelligence layer powering faster innovation across the automotive ecosystem 

Solera, the global leader in vehicle lifecycle management, today announced the Solera AI Engine, a cloud-native intelligence layer purpose-built to accelerate AI-powered innovation across the automotive ecosystem. Read more

Confused.com and Protect Young Drivers announce partnership to improve safety for new drivers 

Confused.com has teamed up with national road safety initiative Protect Young Drivers to strengthen understanding of the risks facing newly qualified drivers and support measures to better protect them on the road. Read more

What might happen to a car once it is stolen? 

The moment a car is stolen, it does not simply disappear; it enters a fast-moving and often highly organised chain of events. Stolen vehicles are typically absorbed into a wider criminal ecosystem, where speed, coordination and demand dictate their fate. Read more

From Advertising to Smart Repair – Why Revive! Ticked Every Box

After more than two decades in advertising, Paul Lyonette and his wife Katie decided it was time for a career change. They were looking for more autonomy and a new challenge. Four years later the couple have just launched Revive! Canterbury and Dover and they’re full of enthusiasm for the brand and the extensive support structure provided. Read more

Autocar Great Women 2026: Ford’s Lisa Brankin takes top award

Ford of Britain and Ireland boss Lisa Brankin has been named the most influential woman in the British automotive industry at the Autocar Great Women Awards 2026. Autocar Great Women is an initiative held in association with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to celebrate the achievements of the most influential women from across the motoring sector. Read more

Car finance compensation scheme faces challenge and delay 

A consumer group is planning a legal challenge to a scheme designed to compensate millions of drivers who were mis-sold motor finance agreements. Consumer Voice said the City regulator’s scheme, which is expected to cost lenders a total of £9.1bn, left “too many people short-changed”. Read more