Car Industry Produce Key Covid-19 Guidance For Dealerships

On 11th May 2020, the Government published its roadmap for the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions. This included plans to allow Car Dealerships to reopen from the 1st June.

The announcement came as a much needed and welcome boost for the Car Industry which has been one of the sectors hardest hit by the pandemic. In April, the first full month of lockdown, car sales in the UK fell by 97% with only 197 vehicles produced in UK factories

The key trade bodies for the industry including the British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association, Finance & Leasing Association, National Association of Motor Auctions and the Vehicle Remarketing Association, have produced guidance for dealerships to enable them to operate safely and within the detailed Government COVID-19 guidance

The guide clarifies the requirements that apply on vehicle and parts collections, delivery and distribution, storage and technical services.

Initial reports from reopened showrooms indicate that they have seen good business in the first few days of trading since lockdown began. Whilst this is positive news, it is imperative that this upturn continues and enables the car industry and its wider supply chain to once again provide a vital contribution to the UK economy.