NFDA hosts industry get-together

On Tuesday 17 January, the evening of the NFDA Executive Meeting, NFDA brought together franchised dealer members, MPs, and Lords to the House of Lords to discuss the significance of the automotive retail sector, in addition to some of the pertinent issues the sector is facing.

Key points that were constructively discussed on the night included:

• Requirements for Net-zero targets and the transition to electric.
• Essential investment to charging infrastructure for EV adoption.
• Cost of living crisis and its impact on consumer spending.
• Future transport taxes.
• Reforming the Apprenticeship levy and Drive My Career’s position in the market.
• Supply chain constraints and its impact on new car supply and used car values.
• New players entering the market and what this means for UK retailers.
• The major issues posed from Agency Models and block exemption.

The meeting was hailed as a resounding success, bringing together automotive experts and professionals with Parliamentarians and officials to discuss the direction of the industry, the challenges it faces, and offer viable solutions.

Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) commented following the event: “The NFDA Parliamentary engagement programme is vital in strengthening our connections with those that have power and influence over shaping the future trajectory of the automotive retail sector and addressing the key issues which may be largely overshadowed or overlooked.

“As a sector which employs over 540,000 people, with a turnover of over £200 billion, it is extremely positive to facilitate an open forum between parliamentary figures and franchised dealers so that our member’s voices can be heard. Going forward, NFDA will be building on the relationships built last night, to lobby on behalf of automotive retailers and help to drive the change that our industry needs.”