ARC360 News – Friday 27 February 2026

Vehicle repair sector leaders commit to ARC360 2026 

ARC360 2026 is set to welcome key insurers, vehicle manufacturers, repairers and leading suppliers when it returns to the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, on Thursday 21 May, reinforcing its position as a key meeting point for the motor claims and vehicle repair community. Read more

New car interest ramps up ahead of plate change as Renault 5 sparks retro revival in EV market 

With the highly anticipated ‘26 plate change just around the corner, consumers have been responding enthusiastically as Autotrader reports that the volume of visits to its new car platform in February increased 28% month-on-month (MoM) and 3% year-on-year (YoY). Read more

Self-driving tech startup Wayve raises $1.2bn from Nvidia, Uber, and three automakers 

Wayve’s self-driving tech has attracted a diverse set of investors in the company’s latest $1.2bn funding round, including three automakers, top venture and institutional firms, and returning backers Microsoft, Nvidia, and Uber. The total raise could reach $1.5 billion thanks to another $300 million from Uber contingent on deploying robotaxis, beginning in London. Read more

New features and design upgrades make the Volvo EX30 more attractive than ever

For the upcoming model year, Volvo EX30 customers can look forward to new entry-level powertrains, elevated interior design, and an expanded Black Edition offering. The EX30 will also be available with Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) functionality, allowing the car to act as a powerbank and supply energy to other devices and appliances. In addition, forthcoming software updates will introduce a more intuitive user experience. Several of the features will also be available to current EX30 drivers, free of charge, via over-the-air software updates. Read more

MG achieves 1 million European landmark

MG Motor has confirmed today that it has delivered its one millionth customer car in Europe. MG returned to its UK home market in 2011 with the MG6 and since then has become an increasingly prominent and popular brand across Europe with over 1,300 dealer partners and representation in 34 markets. Read more

NIO and Bosch Sign Strategic Cooperation Agreement

The partnership will span the NIO, ONVO, and firefly brands, and focus on in-depth collaboration across core smart electric vehicle technologies, including drive-by-wire chassis and battery management systems, as well as key systems and components such as braking, steering, powertrain, body electronics, and sensing modules. Read more

BMW Group UK and Ireland names 2025 Retailers of the Year

BMW Group UK and Ireland has named its 2025 BMW and MINI Retailers of the Year, recognising performance across the past twelve months. Read more

Stellantis Reports Full Year 2025 Financial Results

“Our 2025 full year results reflect the cost of over-estimating the pace of the energy transition and of the need to reset our business around our customers’ freedom to choose from the full range of electric, hybrid and internal combustion technologies.” Antonio Filosa, CEO, Stellantis. Read more

Flexis enters new phase as Renault Group takes full ownership

Renault Group, Volvo Group and CMA CGM Group today signed a binding agreement, subject to antitrust approvals, enabling Renault Group to acquire full ownership of Flexis SAS, the joint venture established by the three companies in 2024 to create a groundbreaking new generation of electric vans. Read more

ILC launches Better Tomorrow following landmark Mobility In Insurance Conference

ILC has officially launched Better Tomorrow – the post-event publication capturing the key insights, themes and strategic discussions from the inaugural Mobility in Insurance Conference 2025. Read more 

The growing car repair crisis that could leave you off the road for quite some time 

In the latest DriveSmart newsletter, Steve Fowler warns of a looming car repair crisis that could leave drivers struggling to get even minor damage fixed, as a growing skills shortage threatens a £35bn industry vital to keeping Britain on the road. Read more

The UK car insurance market is not one market, it’s eight 

Car insurance pricing has become increasingly complex as insurers have adopted richer data sources and more advanced modelling techniques. The premium a consumer receives is now shaped by thousands of interacting variables – behavioural, geographic, economic and competitive.  Read more

BASF achieved important milestones in implementing its “Winning Ways” strategy

In the 2025 business year, the BASF Group faced an uncertain and very volatile global market environment with considerable headwinds. “We therefore mainly focused on the things we can control within the framework of our ‘Winning Ways’ strategy,” said BASF CEO Dr. Markus Kamieth. Read more

Ben launches ‘Miles that matter’ to rally automotive community this April

Automotive charity Ben has launched a new virtual fundraising challenge, Miles that matter, calling on individuals and businesses across the sector to get active this April in support of colleagues who are struggling or in crisis. Read more

Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights 2025 Year in Review

US: After several years of steady growth, the battery electric vehicle (BEV) market experienced significant volatility in 2025. Automotive manufacturers scaled back investments—including Ford with its F-150 Lightning end of production announcement—and the U.S. and Canada rescinded tax credits designed to boost consumer demand for BEVs. Read more

Europcar sees rise in EV rental satisfaction as drivers gain confidence

Europcar Mobility Group UK has reported a significant improvement in customer satisfaction for its electric vehicle (EV) rental offering, with Net Promoter Score (NPS) rising by eight points in 2025 compared to the previous year. Read more

Silverlake Automotive Recycling backs C1 Racing Series for fifth consecutive year

Silverlake Automotive Recycling has confirmed it will continue as headline sponsor of the Silverlake C1 Racing Series for a fifth consecutive year, reinforcing its long-term commitment to affordable, accessible and more sustainable motorsport. Read more

NVCRP secures major Home Office investment to strengthen national fight against vehicle crime 

The National Vehicle Crime Reduction Partnership (NVCRP) has secured significant Home Office funding to strengthen the UK’s collective response to organised vehicle crime, supporting enhanced enforcement, intelligence, and operational activity across police forces and national partners. Read more