ARC360 News – Friday 27 March 2026

Momentum continues to build for ARC360 2026

Momentum continues to build for ARC360 2026, with the motor claims and repair community set to come together on 21 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon. With over 400 delegates expected, already featuring more than 90 insurers, 15 vehicle manufacturers and many of the UK’s leading repairers, ARC360 continues to bring together the full motor ecosystem. The event provides a unique opportunity for decision-makers across claims, repair networks and supply chains to connect and share insight. Read more

The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) has issued an update addressing growing financial pressures across the vehicle repair sector, following feedback from repairers experiencing rising operational costs. Read more

Repairify Europe UK now holds the BS10125 standard across our entire UK ADAS calibration operation. Read more

Nova Automotive Group has hosted its first Apprentice Open Day at its Witham, Essex facility offering prospective apprentices valuable insight into the industry. Meanwhile, Nova Hemel Hempstead – the group’s newest site – has been accredited to BS10125 Kitemark Standards.

John Lopes has started a new role as Network Operations Manager for Avant Repair Network. 

ECA Bodyshop Energy has issued a Market Update outlining what the US-Iran conflict could mean for UK accident repair centres. Read more

Over the last 12-months Brockford Accident Repair Centre Ltd has undertaken the largest investment since it began in 1938 to become a JLR Authorised Structural Repairer. Read more

GOSMART – the new mobile bodyshop solutions business from the SMART Bodyshop Solutions Group – has completed its first SMART repair from one of its fully electric Kia PV5 vans. Read more

Fastech Services Ltd has announced the opening of its sixth bodyshop repair facility located in Belton, Doncaster. Meanwhile, the business has also introduced its first mobile bodyshop solution providing faster, more flexible repair solutions.

Steer Automotive Group has celebrated a fantastic achievement with the team at Gemini Hoddesdon having successfully achieved the new BS10125:2022 certification – marking a significant milestone for Gemini Accident Repair Centres Ltd, with every site now fully certified to the latest standard.

Jess Clarkson has started a new position as Business Development Manager and Stuart Matthews as Bodyshop Manager at Precision Bodyshop Ltd.

Allscreens Nationwide has created a video, sharing how a simple change to its stone chip repair standard is helping it repair more windscreens than ever before. Read more

eBay launches official Kia branded store 

eBay, the number one online marketplace for vehicle parts and accessories in the UK, has announced the launch of a new official branded store for Kia. Kia owners will be able to access an extensive range of high-quality, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) accessories and peripherals, for both legacy and current models. Listings are created by Kia dealers, ensuring all items are delivered from reputable establishments and customers can feel safe in the knowledge their purchases have been sourced from the manufacturer, benefiting from their corresponding warranties and exacting standards. 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 

Volkswagen Insurance Company dac begins re-domesticating process 

Volkswagen Insurance Company dac has now begun the process of re-domesticating from Ireland to Germany, where its captive portfolio will be written from 1 January 2027. The strategic move will strengthen its operational resilience and bring it closer to Volkswagen headquarters, enabling it to better meet evolving EU regulatory requirements and support future integration into Volkswagen Financial Services. Read more

AA UK EV Readiness Index rises but mixed policy signals risk slowing transition 

The factors that assist the UK’s transition to electric vehicles have moved up in the right direction, according to The AA’s latest EV Readiness Index published today. The overall readiness score has risen to 53.8 in Q1 2026 (Q4 2025: 48.8). The increase reflects improving affordability in the used EV market and gradual progress on key consumer barriers. Read more

MG opens new European Engineering Centre and announces new SolidCore Battery and Hybrid+ technology

Building on its 101-year British heritage of engineering innovation, MG introduces a significant advancement in electric vehicle battery technology with the debut of its new SolidCore Battery. As the first manufacturer globally to achieve mass production of semi-solid-state batteries, MG is setting a new benchmark in electrification. Read more

Living with a Leapmotor 

With Chinese vehicle manufacturers staging a sustained model offensive across UK dealerships, new brands are positioning themselves as value offerings – not least with a comprehensive approach to standard-fit ADAS equipment. One of the latest models to receive its showroom debut is the B10 BEV SUV, brought to us by Hangzhou-based Leapmotor International in partnership with Stellantis. As Head of Automotive at Thatcham Research, Ben Townsend spent a week with one to give his initial verdict on the systems’ implementation, as well thoughts on the car’s security and repairability. Read more

Toyota Circular Factory: recycling alloy wheels into new engine blocks

or most of the industry’s history, car manufacturing has followed a linear path: raw materials come in, vehicles go out, and whatever remains at the end of a vehicle’s life is treated as waste. That approach is increasingly out of step with today’s environmental and resource realities. Read more

Sharp rise in EV interest on Autotrader following Middle East bombing 

Ian Plummer, Chief Customer Officer, Autotrader, the UK’s largest automotive marketplace commented: “Even though petrol prices aren’t anywhere near the extremes of 2022 yet, the Iran conflict has clearly moved fuel costs to the front of buyers’ minds. Our data shows a sharp rise in both new and used EV leads since the war began.” Read more

NBRA highlights repair cost pressures

The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) has issued an update addressing growing financial pressures across the vehicle repair sector, following feedback from repairers experiencing rising operational costs. Read more

GT Motive confirms price freeze

GT Motive has announced a price freeze for its UK customers, confirming that pricing will remain aligned with 2025 levels despite continued pressures across the motor claims sector. Read more

Repairify expands mobile diagnostics fleet

Repairify has announced a major expansion of its mobile operations division as it continues to develop its end-to-end diagnostics strategy across the UK market. Read more

£1bn to cut costs for businesses, drive growth and clean up UK roads 

Businesses across the UK are being backed to roll out electric vans and trucks with £1bn of funding – saving them cash, cleaning up millions of journey miles, and helping hauliers become more resistant to global price changes. Read more

AXA UK & Ireland creates new UK general insurance business – AXA Insurance UK 

AXA UK & Ireland has announced the creation of a new general insurance business, AXA Insurance UK, bringing together its UK Commercial and Retail business units under a single leadership structure. Read more

Enterprise survey highlights impact of mobility on satisfaction and productivity

Research conducted by Enterprise Rent-A-Car has underlined the significant role replacement mobility plays in driving customer satisfaction and bodyshop productivity. Read more

Fixico sets new standard for vehicle repair and maintenance with All-in-One Platform 

Fixico, Europe’s leading digital repair management platform, today announced the launch of Fixico One, a platform designed to orchestrate all types of vehicle repairs and maintenance through a single AI-powered system. Read more

TPG and Allianz lead USD350m strategic investment in Cambridge Mobile Telematics

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT), the world’s largest telematics and AI company for safer mobility, today announced a USD350m strategic investment led by TPG and Allianz X, with participation from State Farm. The new investors will accelerate CMT’s expansion in three key areas: scaling its global road safety platform, advancing AI models for real-time driving risk assessment and crash detection, and growing adoption of the new Universal Driving Score. Read more

Copart leading the way in EV safety & skills 

The latest IMI data has revealed that only 1 in 4 UK technicians are currently qualified to work on EVs, but Copart has long been ahead of the curve when it comes to electric and hybrid vehicle expertise.  The slowing pace of technician training is a huge concern across the industry, resulting in many organisations struggling to keep up with the rapid shift toward EVs. But Copart claims it is bucking the trend. Read more

TyreSafe warns: millions of uk drivers only value vehicle safety when fearing a fine 

TyreSafe is urging a renewed focus on driver behaviour after new research highlighted a concerning “safety gap” in how motorists approach vehicle maintenance. Data released by Uswitch reveals that while enforcement influences behaviour, it may not be enough to ensure consistent safety standards on UK roads. Read more

Almost one in 10 motorists admit to driving without a valid MOT 

A new study has revealed that just under one in 10 motorists (9%) have driven their car without a valid MOT at least once in their lifetime. Driving without a valid MOT is only legal if driving to a pre-booked appointment for an MOT or repairs from a failed test, indicating that a substantial proportion of motorists could have been on the road illegally. Read more

Jens Luehring has been appointed to lead the future standalone BASF Coatings company following the closing of the BASF–Carlyle transaction.

Charles Trent Ltd has appointed Linu Chackos as Chief Technical Officer. Linu joined the business in July 2023 as Head of Innovation and Technology. Read more

Europcar Mobility Group UK has confirmed the appointment of Fiona Sotomayor-Robbins as Revenue and Capacity Management Director, supporting the businesses ambitious growth plans.

Harry Whittingham has started a new role as Head of Network Development at Polestar UK.