February 2021

MONTH 2017 AFTERMARKET 3 www.aftermarketonline.net FEBRUARY 202 AFTERMARKET 5 2020 worst year for car sales since 1992 New car sales in 2020 fell 29.4% to a level not seen since 1992, according to figures from the SMMT, with the total for December down 10.9%. In total, the industry experienced a £20.4 billion turnover loss. 1,631,064 new cars were registered during the year, 680,076 lower than in 2019. While this was partly as a result of COVID-19 restrictions and the prolonged uncertainties around Brexit, the year also saw a transition appear to begin. During the year, the government declared that the ban on new diesel and petrol cars was being brought forward to 2030. In fact, demand for battery electric vehicles grew by 185.9% to 108,205 units, while registrations of plug-in hybrids rose 91.2% to 66,877. 68% of these were bought as company cars however, suggesting that private buyers are looking for more direct incentives, and may be waiting for significant investment in charging infrastructure to take place, particularly in public on-street charging. Servicesure extends warranty programme with Oilsure Servicesure has a new oil warranty programme in partnership with Comma. Workshops that sign up receive product training from Comma, marketing materials to promote the programme and access to a bespoke stock pack supplied by The Parts Alliance. Comma Sales and Marketing Director Mike Bewsey said: “With advancing vehicle technologies and the costly implications of ‘getting it wrong’, it’s more critical than ever for workshop technicians to fit the correct oils.” Head of Servicesure Garage Programmes Paul Dineen added: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Servicesure members to grow business with new and existing customers.” In a first for automotive training, Lincoln College is to begin incorporating The Garage Inspector business courses from Andy Savva into its automotive training programme, in order to help bring through the next generation of garage owners. Andy has been building a relationship with the Lincolnshire-based institution for the last few years. Pete Jackson, Automotive Engineering Learning & Skills Lead at Lincoln College, observed: “We are now including his business courses within two Level 4 courses. Learners on the course will cover the technical side of course, but crucially will also do Andy’s sessions on the business side.” Commenting on the development, Andy said: “There’s been nothing like this before. It’s the first of its kind in the UK, where a college is incorporating my training.” For an in-depth look at the new collaboration turns to pages 40-41. Andy Savva training incorporated into Lincoln College course IGA COVID-19 Garage Guide launched The IGA has released the Garage Guide to Working During COVID-19, to help independent garages through the latest lockdown and beyond. IGA Chief Executive Stuart James said: “There is an overwhelming, ever-changing amount of COVID-19 government guidance that garages need to comply with, as well as dozens of schemes they can benefit from. We have created this simple working guide, available to the whole sector, so that garages can quickly find the relevant resources they need to run all areas of their business during the pandemic.” He added: “The digital guide contains links to current government information, useful legal advice, letter templates and specialist guidance from the IGA and other leading bodies. It will be regularly updated with the latest COVID-19 guidance.” The guide can be downloaded here: www.independentgarageassociation.co.uk/p age/index/covid-19-coronavirus-guidance- for-independent-garages For Aftermarket’s Coronavirus round-up, turn to pages 46-47.