Thatcham Research and BYD announce repair collaboration
Thatcham Research and BYD have announced a 12-month agreement intended to lower repair, insurance and ownership costs for drivers of the Chinese brand.
The partnership, which will start on 1 January and builds on an already strong relationship, will focus on repair-friendly design to support affordable insurance and lower total ownership costs.
Central to the collaboration will be Thatcham Research’s advice during the design stage to help BYD develop models that minimise damage and repair costs from low-speed collisions.
According to the Association of British Insurers, repair-related costs represented 64% of total claims in the third quarter, amounting to £1.9bn. This is partly due to the technology fitted within modern cars, which requires specialist skills and equipment to repair. However, by embedding insurability as a design attribute, the partnership aims to reduce BYD write-offs and maximise vehicle lifespan.
Repair methods
Thatcham Research will also advise on repair methods and training to support BYD’s investment in UK-approved repair networks and technical programmes, and provide a consultancy service to help the brand meet appropriate New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) requirements.
Jonathan Hewett, chief executive, Thatcham Research, said: “We’re delighted to deepen our relationship with BYD at such a pivotal time for the automotive industry. As new entrants accelerate into the UK and European markets, prioritising repairability is critical for insurer confidence and long-term sustainability.”
Steve Beattie, deputy country manager, BYD UK, added: “The UK is a priority market for BYD. Our goal is to make electric mobility accessible and affordable, while collaborating with trusted British institutions like Thatcham Research, whose decades of expertise in safety, security and repair set the benchmark for the industry.”
