Thatcham Research

We do indeed!
For Safety and Sustainable Repair.

We recently welcomed Global Cycling Network (GCN) to our Gamston testing facility to explore the dangers of distracted driving and the role vehicle safety technology can play in helping protect vulnerable road users.

Joining us in the passenger seat, GCN got a first-hand look at how we test systems such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) in realistic, repeatable scenarios.

Featuring insights from our experts Yousif and Alex, this episode highlights why technology can help mitigate risk, but is no substitute for driver attention.

Watch the full video below 👇
https://loom.ly/eS0_8K0

This week, colleagues across Thatcham Research have been taking part in Benefits Week, learning more about the health, wellbeing and financial support available through our employee benefits.

From healthcare cashback to financial wellbeing coaching, the week has been a chance to connect with our benefit providers, ask questions and discover the support available. And, of course, enjoy a cupcake or two along the way! 🧁

It's all part of our commitment to supporting colleagues both inside and outside of work.

We're celebrating a double success at Thatcham Research. 🎉

Congratulations to Mitali Shah, Vehicle Damageability Engineer, on being named in Bodyshop Magazine's 30 Under 30 Class of 2026, recognising some of the brightest talent shaping the future of the UK accident repair industry.

This well-deserved recognition reflects Mitali's technical expertise, dedication and growing contribution to the sector.

At the same time, our Automotive Academy has been shortlisted for Technical Training Provider of the Year, recognising its role in developing the skills, knowledge and capability the repair industry needs for today and tomorrow.

Congratulations to Mitali and the Automotive Academy team! Your expertise, commitment and passion continue to make a difference across the industry.

In a recent car clinic piece for The Sunday Times Driving, our Head of Automotive, Ben Townsend, discussed how collaboration with Chinese vehicle manufacturers is transforming repairability in the UK market.

Through our Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) process, manufacturers are adopting repair methods and parts strategies that help reduce repair costs, shorten repair times and improve outcomes for insurers and motorists alike.

The feature also explored how VRR assessments help ensure vehicles can be repaired safely, efficiently and economically, while encouraging manufacturers to maintain robust UK parts supply chains.

As Ben explained, the result is that many Chinese brands now offer levels of parts availability and repair support that rival established manufacturers.

It's a strong example of how collaboration across the automotive industry can deliver tangible benefits throughout the repair ecosystem.

The Sunday Times article -🔗 https://loom.ly/UVWQ3QE

What makes one car cheaper to insure than another?

In a recent Carwow feature, Ben Townsend, Head of Automotive, explains how insurers assess vehicle risk and why understanding modern vehicles requires more than historical claims data. As new brands, advanced technologies and evolving vehicle designs enter the market, data-driven risk assessment has never been more important.

From repairability and security to safety and performance, insurance outcomes are influenced by decisions made long before a vehicle reaches the road. That's why initiatives like Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) help create a clearer picture of risk, supporting more accurate insurance pricing and better outcomes for motorists.

Insurance by Design isn't just about reducing premiums. It's about designing vehicles that are safe, secure, repairable and ultimately insurable.

Read the full Carwow feature below 👇
https://loom.ly/Au276i4

What happens when an EV is involved in a low-speed collision?
It's a question that matters to motorists, insurers and vehicle manufacturers alike.

That's why we were pleased to welcome BBC Business Correspondent Theo Leggett to our safety lab, where he observed a low-speed damage test on a Dacia Spring as part of a feature investigating the cost and complexity of EV repairs.

Even relatively minor impacts can have significant repair implications when high-voltage battery systems are involved. Understanding those risks through real-world testing is a key part of helping the industry design safer, more repairable and more insurable vehicles.

The feature provided an opportunity for our experts to share insights from the research and testing that underpins our work.

As vehicle technology continues to evolve, independent research and evidence-led testing remain essential to helping the industry make informed decisions and improve outcomes for consumers.

Thank you to Theo Leggett and the BBC News team for helping bring this important discussion to a wider audience.

We hosted the latest NBRA Apprenticeship Breakfast Club at our Automotive Academy last week.

It brought together repairers, insurers, training providers and industry partners to talk openly about what it really takes to support apprenticeships, sharing challenges, ideas and practical ways forward.

With a strong line-up of speakers, including our own Mark Calder and Charlie Holmes, there was a lot of useful insight into how we develop the next generation of talent.

Getting people in the room like this makes a difference, it turns conversation into action and keeps progress moving.

We’re pleased to welcome members to our AION product showcase, and with temperatures climbing today, we’ve made sure there are plenty of refreshments and a cool space to make the most of it! ☀️

Delivered in collaboration with AION Auto UK, a new entrant to the market, the day offers insurers and repairers an early look at the brand and its UK plans, alongside the opportunity to get up close to the AION V electric SUV. The programme includes product overviews, a live Q&A, and guided ride experiences.

Events like this are designed to give the industry early exposure to emerging vehicles and technologies, supporting better understanding of repairability and insurability.