June 2021

Commenting on the findings, Kwik Fit MOT Scheme Manager Eric Smith said: “It may be that shifting the expiry dates with the exemption has caused the MOT to slip from drivers’ minds, or perhaps they have been using their car so little that they have forgotten about having it tested. Some owners may think that because they’ve not been using their car it will be just as they left it, however parts will rust or wear with little use, bulbs may fail or windscreen wipers start to perish. We would urge drivers to make sure they are both safe and legal before heading out on to the road as restrictions ease.” 23 April: New normal on the way – WAI Electric Atomiser launched As the UK heads out of lockdown, WAI UK is looking to help businesses open safely through the use of its new Steri-7 Electric Atomiser. The tool can sanitise vehicles, and can also be used in offices, and atomises sanitising liquid into a fine spray to prevent the soaking of surfaces and provide even distribution. A spokesman for WAI said: “WAI has taken a forward-thinking approach and has made use of its global supply chain to source much- needed products to assist businesses since the start of the pandemic, over a year ago. This includes bringing a high-level, non-corrosive Steri-7 vehicle disinfectant sanitiser kit to market, which regenerates and protects for up to seven days.” To commemorate the launch of the new Electric Atomiser, customers are being offered a free machine when they buy six cases of 5-litre Steri-7 XTRA. They will also receive a bonus 250ml retail sample bottle while stocks last. 5 May: April showrooms reopening sees new car sales leap 30-fold The reopening of new car showrooms in April led to a massive jump in car sales during the month compared with the same period in 2020, although overall volumes were still 12.9% lower than the 10 year average. 141,583 new cars were sold during the month, according to the latest figures from the SMMT. This was 30 times more than were sold during April 2020 at the start of the first lockdown, when just 4,321 cars were registered. Plug-in vehicles made up 13.2% of vehicles sold. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), made up 6.8% of the market, while battery electric vehicles (BEVs) constituted 6.5%, following cuts to the Plug-in Car Grant. However, monthly BEV uptake dropped in comparison with Q1 2021 overall, during which they had been running at 7.5% of the total. As a result of the improving situation, around vaccinations and lockdown easing, the SMMT has increased its sales forecast for 2021 from 1.83 million to 1.86 million, which would represent a 13.9% increase on 2020. This would still be 20.2% less than the 2.33 million average seen between 2010 and 2019. BEVs are now expected make up 8.9% of the total by the end of the year. This is less than the 9.3% initially forecast in January, as a result of the changes to the Plug-in Car Grant announced in March. With PHEVs anticipated to take a 6.3% market share, total plug-in vehicles should comprise 15.2% of all cars registered in 2021. Commenting on April’s figures, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “After one of the darkest years in automotive history, there is light at the end of the tunnel. A full recovery for the sector is still some way off, but with showrooms open and consumers able to test drive the latest, cleanest models, the industry can begin to rebuild. Market confidence is improving, and we now expect to finish the year in a slightly better position than anticipated in February, largely thanks to the more upbeat business and consumer confidence created by the successful vaccine rollout. That confidence should also translate into another record year for electric vehicles, which will likely account for more than one in seven new car registrations.” NFDA Chief Executive Sue Robinson added: “April’s results are positive considering dealerships have been open for less than three weeks, with sales previously supported by click and collect; since reopening, customer footfall and volume of enquiries at dealerships have been strong and driving schools are seeing a major increase in young people booking driving lessons and tests. “All of this leads us to believe that there is a very upbeat outlook ahead for the motor industry in the summer and retailers are looking forward to a further release of the pent-up demand accumulated over the past months.” 48 AFTERMARKET JUNE 2021 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net With the Exemption changing the natural rhythm, it is encouraging to see that such an important assessment remains a key date in the diary for so many ”