Garages can now see the scale of the economic challenge ahead, with figures being released today (Friday 12 June) that show the UK economy shrank by 20.4% in April, which was the first full month of lockdown following the imposition of COVID-19 measures.

Comline has today (Friday 12 June) kicked off a social media competition designed to fill the void left by the postponement of EURO 2020 over the next four weeks.

 The potential dangers inherent in some DIY car repairs were laid bare recently at an inquest into the death of an aspiring amateur mechanic who died of carbon monoxide poisoning in his own car.

While the current MOT extension means many vehicles are on the road having not had a test for more than a year, and it’s totally legal, back in 2019 this was still a big no-no. It was particularly embarrassing for one MOT testing station then when Lancashire Police stopped its van last May, being driven by one of its MOT testers, only to find it didn’t have a current MOT.

Absolute Alignment has today (Tuesday 9 June) reported sales for the month of May that match pre-lockdown figures in March, in the same week as the business celebrated its 10th anniversary.

 Garages could see apprenticeship funding increase as the government looks to offset the risk of high youth unemployment resulting from the impact of COVID-19, but the IMI says that an apprentice guarantee will only work if employers get the funding now.

The monitoring of lubricant standards is stepping up a gear in the UK, as the Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) shifts from testing reactively following a complaint, to actively seeking out new products hitting the market.

Schaeffler has updated its telecoms system, and as a result of thee change there is a new REPEXPERT Hotline number.

Yuasa has announced a new partnership with the Longbow Jet Hydroplane project. Yuasa batteries, which are manufactured by GS Yuasa, will also be used to power up the jet’s engines as it attempts to break the Outright Water Speed Record.

 Ring Automotive has fully opened its warehouse, with greater capacity than before.

Garages may be able to pinpoint the kind of post-lockdown work coming through the door, with new research showing that online searches for how to tackle issues with car brakes, batteries and tyres have grown substantially over the last few months

Independent garages expecting a surge in customer demand resulting from motorists being unwilling or unable to buy a new car in the wake of COVID-19 and post-lockdown uncertainty could soon have to contend with a scrappage scheme.

COVID-19 continued to bite into new car sales in May, with registrations 89% down, according to the latest figures released today (Thursday 4 June) by the SMMT, making it the lowest May for car sales since 1952.

Euro Car Parts has created a new product bundle to help garages access essential cleaning equipment and PPE, and is also offering free subscriptions to Haynes Pro and ViewMech. For £29.99, garages can buy a ‘Back to Work Pack’ complete with a 500ml antibacterial hand sanitising gel, a 500ml surface disinfectant spray, 25 pairs of gloves, 25 large, heavy duty refuse bags and six 2-ply blue rolls. 

Garages with an eye on the electric vehicle future may want to consider if the local infrastructure could support major motorist take-up, and new research shows that Bristol, Milton Keynes, Dundee, Oxford and Brighton & Hove are the UK towns and cities with the highest current ratio of EVs to charging points.

The Parts Alliance is running a June promotion on Petronas oil that will see two popular Petronas Syntium grades supplied in limited edition Formula One 200 litre barrels.

While garages were able to remain open through COVID-19 lockdown, new car showrooms were required to shut, but from today (Monday 1 June), franchised dealers in England are able to fully reopen.

 The furlough scheme is shifting from August. Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak has confirmed tonight (Friday 29 May) that businesses, including garages using the scheme, will be taking on an increasing share of the pay for workers, but also see them return to work part-time.

Just 830 engines were produced in the UK in April, down from 178,022 in 2019, representing a precipitous 99.5% output decline, according to the latest figures from the SMMT, as the COVID-19 lockdown’s impact on car production continues to be felt.
 
A small number was produced at the end of the month, ahead of some automotive plants restarting in May.
 
SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes commented: “The nationwide lockdown and closure of vehicle manufacturing plants across Europe and beyond has had an expected but devastating effect on engine production, with output all but wiped out in April. With markets and key factories starting to reopen, it’s crucial to encourage demand for new cars worldwide, which will in turn drive manufacturing and help reboot the UK economy.”

 A nationwide radio campaign advising motorists coming out of lockdown that their car may need a MOT and service before going back into daily use is to be rolled out by the IMI next month.

 Highly-localised mini-lockdowns are likely to be deployed in COVID-19 hotspots as the nationwide lockdown is gradually rolled back, the government has warned, meaning garages could find themselves within one if Coronavirus begins to spread in their area.

Car usage is likely to increase when the further easing of lockdown restrictions announced by the Prime Minister today (Monday 25 May) comes into play from the middle of next month, meaning garages could see demand for their services increase from that point.

 Garages with staff on furlough are set to find out in the next few days the details of the next phase of the job protection scheme, as Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak looks set to ask employers to pay at least 20% towards wages from August.

MAHLE Aftermarket UK says is adjusting to the new ‘normal’ to support its wide customer base of distributors and independent garages.

 There could be more than a million unroadworthy vehicles hitting the road due to the MOT extension it has been projected, with 49% of drivers covered by the extension waiting for the extension to end before they get a test for their car.

 While around 40% of garages remained open through the lockdown, with more re-opening as restrictions have eased, the franchised dealer sector has been mostly shut. With the cost of keeping dealerships closed running at £61 million per day according to the SMMT, government is being asked to allow the country’s 4,900 showrooms to reopen.

The IGA is adding to the argument against continuing the MOT extension by launching a COVID-19 compliance certification scheme for garages, which will be made available to IGA members from June.

 The MOT extension continues to see harsh resistance from the sector, as the IAAF writes to government arguing for the measure to be overturned.

Garages reopening and ramping up for greater customer demand as lockdown eases are being provided with useful items via a Schaeffler ‘Back on Track’ essentials pack.

 With 91% of larger employers in the sector being forced to change their apprentices training plans as a result of COVID-19, the IMI has written to government to ask that the usual practice of taking back unused Apprentice Levy funding be suspended until 2022. 

 Euro Car Parts has launched Fit it For Me, a new service that enables motorists to order parts online, and then as part of the process identify a garage that will undertake installation for them at an agreed upfront labour cost.

With children stuck at home as a result of Coronavirus lockdown school closures, Textar has created a series of colouring-in activities based on the Textar-sponsored Newell & Wright Motorsport trucks, who the brand is sponsoring throughout the 2020 British Truck Racing Association (BTRA) Championship.

 Higher traffic levels and a growing backlog of faulty cars on the roads has prompted the IGA to urge Transport Minister Grant Shapps to end the MOT extension as soon as possible.

The Parts Alliance and Brembo have teamed up to give children the chance  to win prizes through its ‘Colour for Hope’ competition.

53% of apprentices in the overall automotive sector have been furloughed according to an ongoing IMI survey, and 83% of those have said they are unable to continue to study in the same way they had been prior to lockdown

Garages looking to ramp up their operations as the lockdown is gradually eased can now refer to new sector-specific guidance issued by the GEA, IAAF,  IMI,  SMTA and the SMMT.

While almost half of the UK’s independent garages have continued to operate through the COVID-19 lockdown, most of the franchised dealer network shut its doors, including workshops, at the end of March. The dealer sector is now looking to fully reopen, and guidance from the NFDA and SMMT has been published to help them do so.  

Garages could keep staff on furlough until October now, although more flexibility from August will mean businesses begin to share the burden, while also beginning to bring people back in part-time.

The semi-finalists for Top Technician 2020 have been announced.

Garages in England could see an increase in demand from motorists, as the government shifts its emphasis on COVID-19 and encourages people to return to work, preferably by car.

 ECP CEO Andy Hamilton took to social media today (Thursday 7 May) to speak directly to customers of Euro Car Parts, to thank them for their patience across the COVID-19 crisis.

 MOTs in Northern Ireland are being extended for a full year, it has been announced. The measure, related to the Coronavirus lockdown,  applies to Northern Ireland only.

 Garages that have put staff on furlough under the government scheme are likely to see the programme gradually scaled back from July.

Automotive industry charity Ben has announced that this year’s Hats on 4 Ben is taking place during Mental Health Awareness Week from 18 - 24 May, and will be a virtual event for 2020.

Autoparts UK and Midwest Motor Factors have gradually started to reopen branches. Autoparts Inverness, Newcastle, Stoke, Aberdeen, Trafford Park Manchester and Sighthill Edinburgh all opened yesterday (Monday 4 May).