February 2022

NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET FEBRUARY 2022 www.aftermarketonline.net New car sales 2021: Second worst since 1992 New car sales in 2021 were up 1% on 2020, but still 28.7% down on 2019 showing the ongoing impact of the pandemic on new car sales, in what was the second worst year for new car sales since 1992. However, while the figures from by the SMMT show relatively low sales, they do illustrate the changing make-up of the car parc. Electrified vehicles made up 27.5% of sales. Despite the growth, internal combustion engine vehicles continue to make up the majority. 58.3% of vehicles sold were petrol vehicles, with diesels representing 14.2%. Both groupings included mild hybrids (MHEVs) though. Commenting on the full-year sales figures for 2021, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said: “Despite the challenges, the undeniable bright spot is the growth in electric car uptake. The biggest obstacle to our shared net zero ambitions is not product availability, however, but cost and charging infrastructure. Recent cuts to incentives and home charging grants should be reversed and we need to boost the roll out of public on-street charging with mandated targets, providing every driver, wherever they live, with the assurance they can charge where they want and when they want.” According to James Fairclough, CEO at AA Cars, ongoing supply issues on new cars of all types is pushing buyers towards the used car market: “Customers placing an order often face a wait time of several weeks to get their vehicle. In some cases, dealers don't even have enough stock to be able to offer prospective buyers a test drive. That’s why thousands of would-be new car buyers are focusing on the second-hand market instead, where availability is significantly better.” Record for LIQUI MOLY Ben has launched a new Iron Man-like event for summer 2022; Beast of Ben. This will see four-person teams from different automotive companies going head-to-head in a series of challenges that include abseiling, water crossing, navigation, problem-solving and more. The registration fee is £250 per person which contributes towards the team’s fundraising target, expected to be in excess of £5,000 per team. Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement and Income, said: “The Beast of Ben will be a fast and fun challenge. We can’t wait to see which company will be the first to become Beast of Ben champions.” The event will take place in North Wales from 6-8 July 2022. To find out more, visit: www.ben.org.uk/beast-of-ben IGA donates £20,000 to Ben Meanwhile, the IGA recently made a £20,000 donation to Ben on behalf of its members. IGA Chief Executive Stuart James observed: “As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, Ben has seen a huge increase in demand for their life-saving support and services. There has never been a more important time for our industry to come together to help those in need.” He added: “I am delighted to make this donation as a thank-you from members of the association, and to help Ben continue to provide their indispensable support to people struggling in our sector throughout this unprecedented time.” To contact Ben or make a donation, visit https://ben.org.uk LIQUI MOLY produced 105,000 tonnes of lubricant in 2021, 27% more than during 2020, and it was also the first time the company had passed the 100,000-tonne production milestone in a single year. Production volume also increased for additives, with 16.3 million cans of additives for fuel, oil and coolant made, 14% up on 2020. LIQUI MOLY Managing Director Ernst Prost said: “The fact that we achieved this is thanks to our great team. Our continuous investment in modernising production and logistics has also paid off.” Ben unleashes the Beast Follow us on Facebook @aftermarketmagazine TPS is offering Vehicle Vision’s Aftersales service camera software to its 2,000 independent garage customers, following a successful pilot scheme. Warren Richards from Volkswagen Group said: “The initial trial of the system has proved very successful. “It’s another tool in the TPS kit to help our customers be Genuine Heroes to their customers.” For more information on Vehicle Vision’s Aftersales video systems, visit: www.vehicle- vision.com/products/aftersales/ TPS offers video system