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).

Gates will tackle cooling system hose problems in a new technical webinar being held on Thursday (7 May).

 UK new car registrations fell by a whopping 97.3% in April, the lowest point since 1946, according to figures published today (Tuesday 5 May) by the SMMT.   Just 4,321 new cars were registered in the month, some 156,743 fewer than in April 2019. The last time sales were so low was in February 1946, when 4,044 new cars were sold.

Garages can from today (Monday 4 May) take up small business lending 100% backed by the Treasury through the new Bounce Back Loan scheme. Businesses can look to borrow between £2,000 and £50,000, with the cash arriving within days.

Wanting to make sure its workshop customers have all their options open for lockdown, Euro Car Parts’ amazingly wide stock range now includes a collection of pop-up swimming pools.

Garages could be able to be open in greater numbers, if the Prime Minister’s aim to begin lifting lockdown restrictions soon is achieved.

DENSO Aftermarket has provided a stock of promotional merchandise, ranging from electrical to clothing items, originally intended for marketing campaigns, to a charity silent auction platform. DENSO employees and customers will be able to bid on bulk or individual items, with proceeds to be distributed to medical organisations in affected areas.  

 A Kent mechanic who made £10,000 in less than three months by issuing fraudulent MOT certificates for 66 cars, has been sent to prison for a year.

 The Covid-19 pre-MOT car safety check launched by B2C price comparison website BookMyGarage is being taken up by customers, with garages offering the service seeing a good response.

Ben says it has seen a marked increase in the number of people turning to the charity seeking support for their mental health and money concerns as COVID-19 has unfolded, and the organisation says it is supporting people through the crisis in a number of ways.

The IGA has written to Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak, suggesting a furlough scheme enhancement that would allow employees to partially return to work as the country prepares for the next phase of lockdown restrictions.
 
IGA Chief Executive Stuart James said: “As businesses ready themselves for the next stage of lockdown, we are asking the Chancellor for a level of flexibility within the furlough scheme so businesses can be supported throughout their reopening.
 
“Garages have been classified as an essential service throughout this crisis, however it has been very difficult for many of them to remain open in the current climate. It is common for garages to have staff dedicated to the role of MOT testing who do not repair cars. Due to the drop off in work volumes caused by the MOT extension and lockdown restrictions, garage owners have been left with no choice but to furlough these dedicated staff and, in many cases, close their business.
 
“Most MOT tests are booked in advance, so if testers were able to return to work part-time with the help of a enhanced furlough scheme it would reduce the costs to the government, help garage businesses reopen in a phased, progressive manner, and help the economy work its way back to normality.”
 
He added: “We urge the Chancellor to consider a system similar to the French furlough system that gives businesses the flexibility to bring in employees as and when they are needed, while claiming back a percentage of their salary for any hours not worked.”

The IMI is warning that COVID-19 could be the cause of a spike in the skills shortage in five years time, due to with employers and training providers currently impacted by the coronavirus being unable to draw down Apprenticeship Levy funding  as usual, and the organisation is urging a government rethink on usage.

Autoglass has donated 2,000 protective masks to six care homes and hospices to protect frontline staff during the Coronavirus crisis.

NGK’s MO70 Dragmower,  which recorded two unusual speed records last year, was named Best Marketing Initiative at the company’s EMEA (Virtual) Convention.

 This morning in Italy (Tuesday 28 April), Brembo has resumed some activities in its Curno, Mapello and Sellero plants. Operations were temporarily suspended on 16 March, due to the COVID-19 emergency.

Garages will from next week be able to access small business loans, 100% backed by the Treasury, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak announced this afternoon (Monday 27 April).

There could good news waiting for independent garages on the other side of the Coronavirus outbreak it has been suggested, with motorists looking to the sector for support once the pandemic passes.

 Businesses will not see a let-up in the Coronavirus restrictions just yet, Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned upon his return to Downing Street this morning (Monday 27 April), meaning garages will have to continue hanging under lockdown conditions.

Garages looking to source parts via Toyota First during the current COVID-19 lockdown situation are set to find the process back on a more usual footing, as distribution moves a step closer to normal service from Monday (27 April). This will also be applicable to orders placed from today (Friday 24 April).

Garage mechanics are likely to be among the essential workers who can now book an online test for COVID-19, if they display symptoms. This also extends to their families.

The Garage Inspector, Andy Savva, has made a series of films for Lumileds.

The IGA has written a follow-up letter to Robert Jenrick MP, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, regarding the inconsistency of local authorities’ classification of independent garages within business rate relief legislation.
 
The IGA is requesting that retail businesses operating from industrial premises are specifically included on the list of businesses eligible for the Retail Business Rates Relief Scheme.
 
IGA Chief Executive Stuart James said: “Independent garages are being asked to remain open to support key worker mobility, but a high level of inconsistency remains across local councils when it comes to support.
 
“We urgently ask the Secretary of State to provide clarity to local councils that garages are retail businesses, and as such are eligible for the assistance under the Covid-19 Retails Business Rates Relief Scheme and Business Interruption Grant.
 
“Including these local garage businesses specifically will enable them to stay open for the benefit of our key workers and give them the best chance of survival through the crisis.”

 Free jet fuel is being supplied to both the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust (EHAAT) and the Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) by Total UK during the Covid-19 pandemic.