The new initiative, part of Thatcham’s global activities, is designed to service the needs of the vehicle manufacturers in the Asia-Pacific region, centred on the long-established manufacturing countries of Japan, Korea, Malaysia and Australia, and in the new emerging countries of China and India. Initially the Thatcham service will concentrate on advising manufacturers on the levels of security which are expected on vehicles entering the UK market to satisfy consumers and insurers.

To ensure the high levels of service expected from Thatcham, a company representative, Dennis Means will be based in Thailand. Commenting on his exciting new role, Dennis says “The chance to work directly with vehicle manufacturers, who are positioning their vehicles to enter our home market is a unique opportunity to put into practice the security solutions devised by Thatcham and which we take for granted in the UK.”

Commenting on Thatcham’s Asian base, Chief Executive Peter Roberts said ‘The expertise that Thatcham can provide to vehicle manufacturers will now be available within their own region, with all the benefits of a more focused response to their requirements for advice and market insight”.

Thatcham’s Director of Research Andrew Miller is very positive about this development, "Vehicle manufacturers are looking to Thatcham to match their own operational efficiencies. This new initiative means we can provide a faster service at a competitive regional price and most importantly, it will give us the opportunity to develop closer contacts in the new emerging markets of China and India. This is a very exciting new initiative for Thatcham’s customers and stakeholders."

About Thatcham

The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre, or ‘Thatcham’ as it is widely known was formed in 1969 by British Insurers. The Centre is independently operated and has its own Board of Directors. Its main aim is to carry out research targeted at containing or reducing the cost of motor insurance claims, whilst maintaining safety standards. Thatcham provides products and services for a number of functional areas within the collision repair industry: Insurers; Motor Manufacturers; Equipment Manufacturers and Suppliers.

Employing over 130 members of staff, the Centre is well equipped with a range of collision repair equipment which is used for both Research and Training purposes The Centre also has a vehicle impact testing laboratory and a sled facility for non-destructive testing.