ASSESSOR SUMMER 2025 FULL MAGAZINE v2 - Flipbook - Page 18
JOURNAL
ENGINEERING
RACE TO THE BOTTOM
FOR SINGLE USE
VEHICLES?
Massive changes vehicle manufacturers have undertaken may not be re昀氀ected in the
world of vehicle valuations. Unchecked, this could cause immense damage to insurers,
assessors and the collision repair business, writes Andrew Marsh, FIMI, Hon member
of IAEA.
n one part of the
automotive market
pricing remains very
sensitive – namely
battery electric
vehicles (‘BEV’). Compared with
other powertrains, these remain at a
price disadvantage primarily due to
prevailing Li-Ion battery technology,
the single most expensive
sub-assembly, compared to internal
combustion engine (‘ICE’) or electri昀椀ed
ICE powertrains. While older Li-Ion
battery technologies have fallen
in cost, newer, more energy dense
systems command higher prices
– countering price reductions.
I
and could apply to all vehicle market
segments.
BEV STRUCTURAL QUIRKS
BEVs do not need front chassis legs
of the type typically used when an
internal combustion engine is present.
Even if the BEV has a front drive motor,
the impact intrusion is far easier to
manage. The following images are
from a Kia EV3, and are somewhat
typical of BEV front end repair… the
chassis leg end plate can be repaired,
but not other sections. So, there are
two large assemblies:
1. Inner chassis leg with splayed brace
for the lower front bulkhead.
2. Outer front chassis leg with strut
tower and upper longitudinal.
789ÿ;
The BEV market is very sensitive to
rebates or tax incentives, which has
in turn played havoc with residual
values. It could be said many BEVs,
even with known defects, have been
undervalued. Another reboot was
required….
Which leads to the present ‘cunning
plan’ from Baldrick: Aim to sell BEVs
at around £30000 or less. Within the
EU27 the magic number is under
€20000. This should boost volume and
increase rate of adaption, disregarding
012345543671
where the electricity comes from….
STARK REALITY
2025 has been a very interesting year.
The European manufacturers knew
they could price match by stripping
the lowest cost product back, while the
EU27 Commission imposed additional
10% tariffs on all China built BEVs –
with some moderation for companies
that ‘co-operated’.
We learnt that Chinese vehicle
manufacturers can take an additional
012345543671
10% import tariff and remain pro昀椀table.
European manufacturers quickly saw
that this con昀椀rmed their suspicions,
Similarly at the rear, due to the
frequent possibility of an electric
motor with integrated power controller
driving the rear wheels, the rear chassis
leg section may not be offered.
18
THE ASSESSORS JOURNAL | SUMMER 2025 | www.iaea-online.org/news/the-assessor
Fewer major sub-assemblies during the
vehicle build, but more work to repair
in the event of damage.
