July/August 2021

Above: COVID-19 has necessitated the shifting of Automechanika Frankfurt to 2022 and Automechanika Birmingham to 2023 56 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2021 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net W ith uncertainty over whether 21 June would really see most Coronavirus restrictions swept away, or whether the Delta variant would usher in a new era of lockdown, the automotive sector continued to try to navigate shifting MOT patterns, ongoing distancing requirements and the need to keep cars on the road for customers. 5 May: Automechanika Frankfurt shifts to 2022 Automechanika Frankfurt in its full form has been offically postponed to 2022 due to ongoing international travel Coronavirus restrictions. In its place, Automechanika Frankfurt Digital Plus will take place largely online between 14-16 September, with a smaller presence on the trade fair CORONAVIRUS ROUND-UP While the sun might be shining, the impact of COVID-19 continues to be felt in the sector, with restrictions and challenges all around grounds in Germany. Automechanika Frankfurt 2022 will now take place 13-17 September next year, and will return to its usual every-two-years rotation thereafter. Commenting on the move, Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board of Messe Frankfurt: “As a result of the continuing difficulties posed by the pandemic, we will not be able to satisfy our customers’ expectations for a leading international trade fair this September. Not only does the event require official approvals, but it also has to be possible to travel internationally. That is why we decided to modify our concept for this year’s Automechanika: in keeping with the ‘plug-and-play’ principle, we are offering opportunities to exhibit and network in person on the exhibition grounds while keeping preparations, risks and costs to a minimum.” For more information go to: https://automechanika.messefrankfur t.com/frankfurt/en.html 12 May: April MOT bookings 160% up year-on-year MOT bookings were up 160% in April compared with 2020 via BookMyGarage.com Meanwhile, overall bookings via the site, covering MOTs as well as servicing and repairs were up 130%. Karen Rotberg, Co-Founder of BookMyGarage.com, commented “April was a real concern for garages, with four-in-five MOTs no longer due to take place as a result of the extension. With 70% of our customers booking their service at the same time as their MOT, this also caused a big drop in accompanying service and repair work. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the DVSA by