ARC360 News – Friday 4 July 2025

ADAS evolution and remote diagnostics: Repairify redefines the future of vehicle repair

As part of the ARC360 Conference 2025, held on 22 May at the British Motor Museum in Gaydon, the Showcase Stage played host to a series of thought-provoking sessions exploring the theme ‘A New Era – The Changing Dynamics of a Sector’.

Among the standout contributions was a presentation titled ‘The UK ADAS Evolution: Remote Solutions for a Connected Future’ delivered by Satty Nanuwa, National Sales and Partnership Manager at Repairify. Read more

Activate Group, a leading UK provider of accident management services, has acquired Avant Group, the well-established collision repair specialist known for its manufacturer programme expertise, bodyshop management technology, and award-winning repair network. Read more

University of Portsmouth researchers are collaborating with accident repair group ABL 1 Touch to develop an AI-powered system aimed at streamlining vehicle damage assessments and repair scheduling. Read more

Fix Auto UK has announced the addition of Fix Auto Sheffield to its expanding network – marking the Group’s first footprint in the city in its 20-year history. Read more

The Solution Repair Group successfully hosted its inaugural national meeting in Telford on 25 June, bringing together a vibrant community of independent repairers and industry experts for a day of collaboration, innovation, and strategic thinking. Read more

ECF – Accident Repair Group has recently qualified as Volkswagen Group paint and body specialists and has achieved 100% YTD for NPS.

RWC Training is delighted to announce the strategic appointment of Paul Sewell as Technical Creator and Trainer for its Continuous Professional Development (CPD) programme Train to Gain. Read more ​

Geely Auto Reports 2025 Mid-Year Results: Accelerating Global Expansion with Multi-Energy Strategy

Geely Auto released its 2025 half-year results and revised its annual sales target upward from 2.71 million to 3 million units. In the first half of the year, Geely Auto achieved total sales of 1.4 million units, marking a 47% year-on-year increase. Sales of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) reached 725K units, up approximately 126% compared to the same period last year. Read more

The Evolution of Safety at Toyota – Part 3: The Future of Safety 

This is the third of three Toyota Newsroom articles on how safety technology has developed and been deployed in new vehicles at Toyota. Read more

Tesla sends driverless Model Y from factory to customer to promote its robotaxi tech 

Just a few days after launching a limited robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, Tesla pulled off an additional stunt meant to show off the progress of its self-driving car software. The company let a Model Y SUV drive roughly 15 miles from Tesla’s factory to the apartment complex where the car’s new owner lives, completing what CEO Elon Musk called the first “autonomous delivery” of a customer car. Read more

Plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive variants added to Multivan and California line-ups

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has developed a new plug-in hybrid all-wheel drive system for the Multivan and California: the eHybrid 4MOTION. This system, which is unrivalled in the van and camper van segment, combines three drive worlds: electric driving, optimum long-distance suitability and maximum traction. Read more

Volvo Cars plans to build Polestar 7 at Kosice, Slovakia plant

Volvo Cars and Polestar have signed a memorandum of understanding* for the development and production of Polestar’s forthcoming premium compact SUV at Volvo Cars’ new manufacturing plant in Kosice, Slovakia. Read more

Driving the future: Insights and trends in the motor insurance market  

The UK motor insurance market roared back to life in 2024, with gross written premiums surging to £17.4 billion – a 15.7% leap from the previous year, driven mainly by claims inflation. However, early signals from 2025 Q1 point to a shift in market dynamics. In this article, KPMG explores the forces behind the 2024 premium surge, unpack the early 2025 market signals, and examine how insurers are adapting to a more tempered – yet still complex – operating environment.  Read more

Vehicle Risk Rating: the new standard for understanding automotive risk

In the first of a series of ILC exclusive articles from Thatcham Research centred on the new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system, we explore how it is opening the road to safer, more secure , and more sustainable mobility. Read more

Aviva completes acquisition of Direct Line

Aviva has officially completed its acquisition of Direct Line, marking a significant milestone in the UK insurance sector. The scheme of arrangement became effective on 1 July 2025, following the delivery of the Court Order to the Registrar of Companies. Read more

Mirka joins MK Dons Alliance

Mirka UK is kicking off the new football season by joining MK Dons as a Business Alliance+ Partner, reinforcing its long-standing support for the club and its ambitions on and off the pitch. Read more

Insights on Repair Costs & Total Losses: 2019-2025 Data report 

The UK’s automotive insurance and repair sector is under significant and sustained pressure. A “perfect storm” of soaring operational costs, a critical shortage of skilled labour, and the increasing complexity of modern vehicles has led to record-breaking insurance payouts and an unprecedented number of vehicles being written off. Read more

Cary Group expands UK presence with Autoscreens acquisition

Cary Group has further strengthened its position in the UK market through the acquisition of Autoscreens Direct Ltd, which trades as Autoscreens. This move marks Cary Group’s third UK acquisition outside of its existing National Windscreens business, reinforcing its commitment to growth and service expansion across the region. Read more

AIMS Lite now on mobile

ACIS has launched a mobile version of its popular electronic ordering system, AIMS Lite, making it even easier for bodyshops, repair pods, and mobile repair vans to manage orders on the go. Read more

3M To Unveil New UK Automotive Aftermarket and Industrial Training Facility at MIRA Tech Park

3M has announced a new lease agreement for a 15,250 square-foot Training and Skills Development Centre at MIRA Tech Park (MTP) in Warwickshire. The site will house advanced training facilities dedicated to 3M’s continued growth and leadership in upskilling technicians in the automotive refinish and industrial sectors. Read more

Help bring Dan home

Ben, the automotive industry charity, is calling on the sector to help bring 13-year-old Dan Flemen home, as his family prepares to be featured on the BBC’s DIY SOS in July. Read more

Paul Johnson has started a new position as Head of Supply Chain at Ageas UK. 

Nick Goodess has started a new position as Body Repair Manager UK & IE at Tesla. 

Rob Harbord has started a new position as Head of Group Compliance at Shorade UK. 

Nick Hardy has become Managing Director ofOgilvie Fleet. Gordon Stephen – MD for 25 years – will start a new role as Chairman. 

Charlotte Cox has started a new role as Parts Operations & Retention Department Manager at Honda Motor Europe Ltd

John Miles has started a new role as Director of Technical Claims & Indemnity at esure Group. 

Keith Doyle has started a new position as Senior Technical Claims Handler at Ageas Insurance Ltd. 

Matthew Gould has started a new role as Repairer Success Manager at Partly.

Cheryl Spencer has started a new role as Parts Advisor at Silverlake Automotive Recycling.

Jameel Motors UK has appointed Calum James as General Manager of Farizon UK to further bolster the market introduction of the Farizon SV large van. 

BMW Group UK has appointed Andrew Jago as the new General Manager, Corporate Sales.