July/August 2020

NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2020 www.aftermarketonline.net COVID-19 compliance scheme launched by IGA The IGA has adding to the argument against continuing the MOT extension by launching a COVID-19 compliance certification scheme for garages, which is available to IGA members. The scheme is based on the government’s safe working guidelines to prevent coronavirus transmission. Th IGA intends that it will support the argument for overturning the six-month MOT extension by providing evidence that garages are safe places for consumers to visit. “The IGA is committed to supporting independent garages, so these audits will be offered at no cost to members and carried out by the IGA’s own resources,” said IGA Chief Executive Stuart James. He added: “The IGA is working extremely hard to provide evidence that independent garages have prepared their premises to be safe for customers, so that the MOT extension can be stopped. Our aim is to support the government and meet their requirements to bring back the MOT, which will assist with the UK’s economic recovery.” For Aftermarket’s monthly Coronavirus Round-up, turn to pages 44-45. VLS: Proactive lubes testing ECP is being rebranded as LKQ Euro Car Parts, with all employees getting access to the same information and systems. Recently-merged Andrew Page and ECP branches among the first to be getting new LKQ Euro Car Parts fascia. In addition, as part of the merger, more than two dozen Andrew Page branches will be shut down. The move brings 103-year story of Andrew Page to a close. “We have identified a further tranche of 27 Andrew Page branches that currently operate in close proximity to others,” said a company statement. “Most of these branches were temporarily closed as part of the measures we put in place during the Coronavirus lockdown, and now we are not planning to reopen them.” The move is part of an ongoing process of Europe-wide integration that is intended to increase the group’s buying power. Andy Hamilton, CEO of the LKQ Euro Car Parts Group, explained: “The introduction of the LKQ Euro Car Parts brand is a milestone in our evolution as a business in the UK and Europe. Together, as LKQ Euro Car Parts in the UK and as part of the wider LKQ Group in Europe, we are stronger, more competitive and better able to offer a market-leading customer experience. At a time when the aftermarket faces some significant and transformational challenges, we are going to be better-equipped than ever before to help prepare it for the future.” Andy continued: “It’s been four years since Andrew Page joined the Euro Car Parts family and we’re proud of the role we played in safeguarding hundreds of years of collective expertise in the aftermarket. From the beginning, we had a clear rationale to bring some of the industry’s best people together and give them an unrivalled scale and cutting- edge enterprise solutions tools that make their jobs easier. Andy added: “Following these changes, we will continue to have an unrivalled nationwide branch network, and will be in a stronger position than ever to drive the business forward.” ECP bought most of the Andrew Page business in October 2016, after the company went into administration. A year later, the acquisition was approved by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), subject to the sale of nine depots. To hear more from LKQ ECP CEO Andy Hamilton, turn to pages 18-19. The Verification of Lubricant Specifications (VLS) is shifting from testing reactively following a complaint, to actively seeking out new products hitting the market. VLS recently procured samples of UK 5w30 automotive engine oils from the Institute of Materials (IOM) for proactive testing. Andrew Goddard, Chairman of VLS, said: “Overall, the products tested were broadly in compliance and therefore no further action is required at this time. We will continue to monitor samples in this way and work with ATIEL on any issues relating to UK lubricants.” For more on oils and lubricants, turn to our feature on pages 32-33. ECP and Andrew Page rebrand as LKQ Euro Car Parts Follow us on Facebook @aftermarketmagazine Garages are likely to see the ratio of older cars on the road rise for a while yet, as COVID-19 continues to bite into new car sales. 2020 saw the lowest May for new car sales since 1952, with just 20,247 cars bought during the month. Registrations were 89% down compared with May 2019, according to the figures released by the SMMT. The overall market is now down 51.4% in the first five months of 2020, at just over half a million registrations compared with more than one million at the same point in 2019. May car sales 89% down

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