ARC360 News – Friday 25 July 2025 

Understanding the manufacturing reality: a global vehicle industry under pressure 

The ARC360 Conference 2025, themed ‘A New Era – The Changing Dynamics of a Sector’, brought together leading voices across the motor claims, repair, and insurance spectrum.   

On the Conference Stage, one of the most comprehensive and hard-hitting sessions came from Chris Downing, Franchising Director at Stellantis, who presented a frank, data-rich examination of the vehicle manufacturing landscape – from zero-emission mandates to new entrants and disruptive tariffs. Read more

Mobility in Insurance 2025 conference continues to build   

ILC’s inaugural Mobility in Insurance Conference 2025, taking place on Thursday 16 October at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon is continuing to build with new leading names added to both agenda and sponsor line-up.  Read more

New car registrations: -1.9% in H1 2025; battery-electric 15.6% market share  

Up until June 2025, battery-electric cars accounted for 15.6% of the EU market share, an increase from the low baseline of 12.5% in H1 2024. Hybrid-electric car registrations continue to surge, capturing 34.8% of the market, remaining the preferred choice among EU consumers. Meanwhile, the combined market share of petrol and diesel cars fell to 37.8%, down from 48.2% over the same period in 2024. Read more 

US Automotive Manufacturer Rivian to Open AI-Focused London Hub 

Rivian Automotive, Inc has announced plans to open an office in London to further the company’s AI and autonomous driving ambitions. Rivian, the US-based electric vehicle manufacturer, is looking to tap into top artificial intelligence engineering talent in London to complement its growing team in Palo Alto, California. Read more

Chery Super Hybrid (CSH): Global-Standard Safety and Outstanding Performance for Comfortable Family Mobility Worldwide 

Amid the rapid transformation of the global new energy vehicle market, Chery Group has delivered outstanding results in the first half of 2025. In June alone, its new energy vehicle sales reached 71,582 units, surging 59.6% year-on-year, while cumulative sales from January to June hit 359,380 units—a remarkable 98.6% growth compared to the same period last year.  Read more

Stellantis and 4screen Enhance In-Car Convenience with Real-Time, Location-Based Mobility Services 

Stellantis, one of the world’s leading automakers, and 4screen, the pioneering driver interaction platform, today announced a partnership to bring real-time, location-based digital services into Stellantis’ portfolio of iconic vehicle brands. This collaboration will deliver a more convenient, intuitive in-car experience to Stellantis customers across key markets in Europe and North America. Read more

Lucid reveals latest charging and range developments 

Lucid Group Inc, maker of the world’s most advanced electric vehicles, has announced updates and enhancements to the Lucid Air model lineup to deliver increased convenience and peace-of-mind to owners.  Read more

Toyota is highest ranked automotive manufacturer in UK customer service survey  

Toyota is the highest ranked organisation in the UK automotive sector for customer service and trust, according to the July UK Customer Satisfaction Index (UKCSI) – a twice-yearly independent report published by the Institute of Customer Service. Read more 

Hyundai Motor UK holds 2025 UK Skills Olympics 

Hyundai Motor UK recently held the 2025 running of the UK Skills Olympics to determine the “best of the best” from 943 technicians across its retailer network. Read more

NIO Reaches 800,000 Vehicle Production Milestone 

On July 24, 2025, NIO’s 800,000th mass-produced vehicle rolled off the line at NIO Factory One in Hefei. This milestone reflects the remarkable progress of China’s automotive industry in technology and innovation, and underscores NIO’s decade-long dedication to building full-stack capabilities. Read more

Industry Interview: Emma (Worthington) Speed, Managing Director, AutoRaise 

ARC360 and ILC recently caught up with Emma (Worthington) Speed, Managing Director of AutoRaise – the charity dedicated to bridging the skills gap in the vehicle repair industry – to discuss its evolution, explore its new bursary funding programme, and understand more of its planned industry impact. Read more

UK vehicle accident repair industry launches carbon reduction standard 

The Accident Repair Industry Environmental Standard (ARIES) has been launched. ARIES is a UK industry-wide initiative designed to measure and reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions within the vehicle accident repair sector. Read more

Premium hikes driven by claims costs, but insurers told to improve claims handling  

FCA analysis shows that increases in the cost of motor claims – due to higher prices for cars, parts, labour, energy and more complex cars and supply chains – have contributed to premium increases. The cost of hire vehicles, the number and cost of theft claims and uninsured drivers have also risen significantly. This confirms that increased costs outside of firms’ control, rather than firm profit, were the biggest cause of recent premium rises in motor insurance. Read more 

Good for business, customers and the planet  

Allianz is committed to making the claims process more sustainable. By repairing rather than replacing, Allianz is strengthening its resilience, reducing waste, and cutting costs and emissions. It’s a smart shift that benefits customers, supports skilled jobs, and makes sustainability part of everyday claims handling. Read more 

Next steps for self-driving vehicles as future passengers help shape self-driving vehicles law  

The public and industry are being encouraged to help shape the future of self-driving vehicles, as they are invited to offer their views to make them safe and accessible before the first services become available next year. Read more 

Apprenticeships address widening skills gap 

Almost half of UK adults feel their education did not prepare them for their current job, according to the City & Guilds Productivity Report. This disconnect is especially evident in technical sectors such as vehicle repair, where evolving systems and technologies require practical, work-based learning. Read more

Audatex UK Data Update 23 July 2025  

We are pleased to announce the release of our latest data update, D4.82, which will be available from 23 July 2025. This update includes enhancements to 73 model sheets and the addition of 16 new models to our industry-leading vehicle database. Read more 

JLR chooses Glasurit as preferred partner 

JLR’s certified Repair Network has chosen the Glasurit premium refinish paint brand as a Preferred Paint Partner Brand for its Global Body and Paint Program in Europe and EIRO markets. Read more 

Watts flying off the forecourt, as Tesla Model 3 July’s hottest used car   

According to Autotrader, the UK’s largest automotive platform, the Tesla Model 3 (electric, 3-5 years) is currently the UK’s fastest selling used car, taking an average of just 17 days to sell in July to date, almost two weeks faster than the average used car. Highlighting the underlying health of the market, used cars are currently selling in just 29 days, which is a day faster than in July last year, and three days faster than the same period in 2023.  Read more 

LKQ Euro Car Parts partners with Apprenticeship Central 

LKQ Euro Car Parts has partnered with apprentice recruitment and retention specialist, Apprenticeship Central Ltd, as it continues its commitment to helping tackle the aftermarket skills shortage and bring fresh talent into the sector. Read more

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has appointed Nick Connor as its next Chief Executive Officer, effective 18 August 2025. Read more

Mark Armitage has started a new position as Founder at Mark Armitage Coaching & Consultancy. 

James Driscoll has started a new role as Senior Claims Manager, Motor BI – MCC at Aviva.  

Allianz Partners, a world leader in insurance and assistance services, announces that Susan Poynor will take over the position of Global Head of Mobility and Ali Bashirinia has recently taken over the position of Global Head of Roadside Assistance.  Read more