ARC360 Weekly News – Friday 3 July 2026

ILC ARTICLE

3rd July 2026

UK repair market enters new era

Taking to the ARC360 stage in May, Paul Sell, Director of Trend Tracker, delivered a keynote that questioned many of the assumptions the industry has traditionally held about growth, demand and long-term sustainability. While operational metrics may suggest a market that has found a degree of stability following years of disruption, Paul argued that a series of deeper structural forces are quietly reshaping the future of vehicle repair. Read more

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has recognised outstanding customer service and operational performance across its repair network at its 2026 Repair Partner Awards. Read more

The Vella Group has expanded its accident repair network following the acquisition of RGM Vehicle Body Repairs, a long-established family business serving motorists across South Wales. Read more

Steer Automotive Group has expanded its prestige vehicle repair network with the acquisition of Perfect Paint Centres Ltd, strengthening its presence in Buckinghamshire and increasing repair capacity in a key strategic market. Read more

Fix Auto Manchester East has secured manufacturer approvals from BMW and MINI, expanding its portfolio of approved vehicle brands to 19 following a sustained programme of investment in its facilities, equipment and workforce.

2026 marks 10 years since Activate Group started doing business, and it plans to ‘celebrate in style’ with a series of special roadshows. Read more

Shorade UK has officially achieved ARIES Level 3 Certification. The business has also published its first Sustainability Report. Read more

Aion’s collaborative approach

ILC caught up with Ben Townsend, Head of Automotive at Thatcham Research, as part of Aion Auto UK’s product showcase to discuss what the arrival of another Chinese manufacturer could mean for insurers, repairers and the wider claims sector. While the event provided an early look at Aion’s UK ambitions, Ben’s message was clear: collaboration will be critical if the manufacturer is to deliver on its promises. Read more

Breaking in and scaling fast: how Chinese carmakers are reshaping Europe

For decades, Europe’s automotive industry set the global benchmark. Engineering precision, premium positioning and long-established brands created a market that defined quality and innovation. Manufacturers from Germany, France and Italy shaped not only consumer expectations, but also the structure of the global industry itself. Read more

Euro NCAP reveals fatal flaws in trailer underrun safety that cost 400 lives every year

Hundreds of road deaths each year are caused by rear impact guards that offer inadequate protection to drivers and passengers in incidents with slowing or stationary trucks and trailers. Read more

ISA performance questioned

Thatcham Research has called for changes to the way Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) systems are assessed, following testing which suggests current regulatory standards do not always reflect real-world performance. Read more

Leapmotor achieves June delivery record

In June, Leapmotor achieved 93,376 global deliveries (domestic and export), a 95% year-on-year increase, setting a new monthly record, and rising 14,47% compared with May, securing its position as the No.1 NEV start-up for the month. Read more

Automotive calls for urgent action as ZEV targets and trade threats put sector at risk

Britain must act now to secure the future of its world-class automotive industry, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is warning today, with urgent action needed for a sector under pressure from mounting costs, global protectionism and rising risk of disinvestment. Read more

Mobility conference line-up grows

The speaker programme for ILC’s Mobility in Insurance Conference 2026 continues to expand, with further senior insurance leaders confirmed to join one of the sector’s flagship events this autumn. Read more

Claims service drives decisions

Claims handling quality is becoming an increasingly important factor in commercial motor insurance, with new research suggesting brokers are placing greater emphasis on service and support than on price alone. Read more

Repairify completes Opus combination

Repairify and Opus IVS have completed the combination of their automotive diagnostics businesses, bringing the two organisations together under a unified operating structure designed to strengthen diagnostic capabilities and support the evolving needs of the automotive repair sector. Read more

Glasurit’s Refinity now available to new customers

Following a successful UK pilot, Glasurit is making its Refinity Eco Impact Assessment available to new customers. The tool gives bodyshops a clearer, data-led view of their ecological and economic performance, looking at areas such as product usage, spraying and drying processes, waste management and fleet activity. Read more

Auxillis becomes Northgate Insurance Services

Auxillis has rebranded as Northgate Insurance Services (NIS), marking the next stage in the evolution of the business and strengthening its alignment with Northgate Mobility and parent company ZIGUP plc. Read more

Ben launches summer support

Automotive industry charity Ben has launched its annual summer families project to provide practical, emotional and financial support to current and former automotive workers facing increased household costs during the school holidays. Read more