July/August 2021

JULY/AUGUST 2021 AFTERMARKET 57 www.aftermarketonline.net BookMyGarage.com revealed that MOT test numbers fell by 79% in April 2020 and 61% in May 2020. Karen added: “While we’re still on the road to recovery, April was a big improvement, and brings a more positive outlook for May and June when MOT test numbers were also notably impacted.” 13 May: Sales surge continues for LIQUI MOLY Additives providers have been among the select business types that have seen some positive outcomes from the pandemic. Sitting at € 60m, Liqui Moly sales were 60% higher in April than they were in the same month in 2020, and they were even 26% higher than in April 2019. "We have started this year with great momentum and we will continue to maintain this momentum," said. Managing Director Ernst Prost. Despite the sterling showing during April, March was actually even better with € 65m in sales, it and was also the most successful month in the company’s history. Ernst continued: "We were not able to beat this record in April, but it is still an impressive achievement for the entire team. Overall, however, we see the global economy increasingly gaining momentum. We hope that we will be able to gradually return to normal again during the year.” 21 May: UK cars older than ever as van numbers surge Vehicle numbers on UK roads fell for the first time since 2009 during 2020 as the pandemic put a stranglehold on sales according to the latest motorparc data released by the SMMT. However, independent garages may welcome the fact that the average car is now more venerable than ever at 8.4 years old, putting the majority squarely in the sights of the aftermarket. There were 35,082,800 cars registered in the UK, which was actually 0.2% down. The total number of vehicles on UK roads fell to 40,350, 714 in 2020, although van uptake is the highest it has ever been, making up 11.4% of the total. LCVs actually saw a 1.7% increase, totalling 4,604, 861. At the same time, HGV numbers fell by 3.1% to 589,445, and buses and coaches dropped 10.7% to 73,608. The average car on UK roads was built in 2011, with nearly 10 million cars have been in use since 2008 or earlier. 4 June: Fleet demand drives May new car sales New car sales in May were up 674.1% on the same month in 2020, but were 14.7% down on May 2019’s total and 13.2% down on the 10-year average, the latest figures from the SMMT show. 156,737 cars sold during the month, vastly more than the 20,247 sold in May 2020 during the depths of the first lockdown. In what was an increasingly positive economic environment – reflected by OECD forecasting a 7.2% increase in UK GDP during 2021 – fleet registrations increased at double the rate of private sales, with large fleets making up 50.7% of all new vehicles sold. On the EV and hybrid front, battery electric vehicle (BEV) market share fell to 8.4%, from 12% in May 2020. Meanwhile, plug-in vehicles now comprise 13.8% of new car registrations, up from 7.2% a year earlier, with the greatest increase seen with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles. Commenting on the figures, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “With dealerships back open and a brighter, sunnier, economic outlook, May’s registrations are as good as could reasonably be expected. Increased business confidence is driving the recovery, something that needs to be maintained and translated in private consumer demand as the economy emerges from pandemic support measures.” 7 June: Driving up in popularity: 75% prefer staycations 75% of motorists said their attitude and interest in the idea of a staycation has increased due to COVID-19, according to new research. The survey, conducted by Bridgestone as part of the launch of the new Bridgestone Potenza Sport tyre, also found 23% would rather drive over their previously preferred mode of holiday transport, which was by plane. 66% of respondents said they would travel for the joy of driving. Worryingly however, the survey also found that 27% of people only sometimes or never check their tyres before a long-distance trip, meaning garages should be pushing summer checks as a promotion for their less mechanically able customers. 8 June: Automechanika Birmingham shifts to 2023 Automechanika Birmingham is moving its next show to June 2023, with an interim specialist national garage and bodyshop event scheduled for 2022. The move followed the decision to shift the next full version of Automechanika Frankfurt to September 2022, with this year seeing a mainly digital outing in Germany due to ongoing international travel restrictions resulting from the Coronavirus pandemic. Simon Albert, Managing Director of Automechanika Birmingham organisers Messe Frankfurt UK, said: “We could never have imagined that when we closed the doors to a successful Automechanika Birmingham in 2019, it would be four years until the next edition. Despite these acutely challenging times, we will continue to support the automotive industry by running quality events at the right time for our partners. It has been clear from our conversations with suppliers that the industry has missed events and we look forward to providing them again soon.” Simon added: “Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, the way the automotive industry, and garages in particular, have consumed content has expanded, with a growing number visiting online and digital platforms to find out information on a raft of issues affecting their business. With our commitment to organising large scale quality face-to-face events, we will continue to serve the needs of the UK aftermarket.” Automechanika Frankfurt Digital Plus will run 14 -16 September 2021, and will then take place in its familiar format on the trade fair grounds in the city from 13 -17 September 2022. The Birmingham event will return to the NEC from 6-8 June 2023. More details will be released about 2022’s specialist UK garage and bodyshop event in 2022 soon. Throughout the pandemic, the way the automotive industry, and garages in particular, have consumed content has expanded ”