Aftermarket December/January 2023

NEWS In the wake of a new P.M and the forming of a new Cabinet, the sector’s representative organisations have been hard at work making sure the automotive industry has its voice heard, with the challenges facing independent garages, MOT frequency, the skills shortage and supply chain issues among the key topics raised. Commenting on Rishi Sunak's appointment as Leader of the Conservative Party and Prime Minister, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “What we now need is a clear and compelling strategy for growth and stability, one that reassures markets, shores up battered consumer confidence and ensures the UK is seen as investable. As a major investor and employer, the automotive industry can help drive an economic recovery but we sorely need a period of stability and a framework for competitiveness, one that delivers the conditions and regulatory certainty to attract investment, talent and innovation, and not least in the global race to net zero.” The IGA wrote to the new Secretary of State for Transport Mark Harper in order to highlight the importance of the independent garage sector to the UK’s economy and the current issues facing the industry. IGA Chief Executive Stuart James observed: “Independent garages carry out over 70% of the UK’s service and maintenance work, sitting at the heart of communities and quietly providing key services that keep the UK’s vehicles roadworthy and roads safe. The automotive landscape is rapidly changing, and small garage businesses are facing a number of unique challenges which require the government’s support to ensure that they can afford to remain open, adapt and thrive.” Meanwhile, the IAAF wrote to Mark Harper to urge him to not interfere with the established 3-1-1 MOT testing frequency and instead to look to add to it via testing of the vehicle’s electronically controlled safety systems. The IAAF, along with UK AFCAR, has been vigorously stressing to ministers and their departments the road safety risks posed if the first MOT is moved to when a vehicle hits four years old. IAAF Chief Executive Mark Field commented: “DVSA’s regulation of the MOT process and current testing frequency of 3-1-1 help to make the UK’s roads the second safest in Europe and while we look forward to working with the new ministers across both Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and the Department for Transport (DfT), we will fight any detrimental changes that threaten road safety and the automotive aftermarket.” He added: “Recent research from the RAC has shown that the majority of motorists consider that the UK MOT test is important for road safety and should not be changed and the wider industry is also firmly opposed to the idea of any changes to the 3-1-1 format.” The NFDA also wrote to Mark Harper, along with Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, Business Secretary Grant Shapps and Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan. A range of issues were covered including disruption to the global supply chain, energy prices, vehicle electrification and the skill shortage. NFDA Chief Executive Sue Robinson observed: “Reaching out to government’s new ministers, highlighting the key issues currently impacting our sector, will give us a head-start in addressing these issues and levelling up our industry.” As Aftermarket’s December/January double issue was going to press, recently-installed Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt was about to make his corrective and highly- anticipated Autumn Statement. Come back next issue for all the industry reaction. www.aftermarketonline.net 4 AFTERMARKET DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 www.aftermarketonline.net New P.M: Industry reacts and gets to work on lobbying BM Catalysts launches EU company In a post-Brexit move, BM Catalysts has launched a dedicated European company, BM Catalysts EU, in order to service its European customers. While BM Catalysts already has an established presence in Europe, the formation of BM Catalysts EU allows provides the businesses the advantages of trading with European customers via an EU-based company. Commenting on the move, BM Catalysts Commercial Director Mark Blinston said: “Providing the option for European partners to trade with BMC EU will make working with a UK supplier like ourselves much more efficient and a lot simpler, which is something we’ve been very passionate about facilitating.” www.aftermarketonline.net