Shortly after the UK Labour Party completed its landslide victory in the General Election, ushering in the first major change of the UK government’s leading party in 14 years, associations from the country’s automotive value chain detailed what challenges await the new prime minister Keir Starmer and his incoming administration over the next five years.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the Government’s latest Initiative to Boost Small Businesses. The increase in the VAT registration threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 is welcomed, as it will provide relief to 28,000 small businesses, allowing them to invest more in their operations and expand their enterprises. Additionally, the freeze on the small business rates multiplier for the fourth consecutive year is particularly welcomed as it will safeguard over one million properties from higher bills, contributing to financial stability and security for many garage owners.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) “enthusiastically welcomes” the recent announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office unveiling a comprehensive reform package aimed at strengthening small businesses across the UK. The IGA notes with satisfaction that concerns previously expressed to MP Robert Halfron, minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education, have been addressed in the recent announcement and commends the government’s commitment to fostering apprenticeships and reducing regulatory burdens, recognising the significant positive impact these measures will have on the automotive sector.
Aftermarket motor parts group LKQ Euro Car Parts will return for the second consecutive year as headline sponsor of the Automechanika Birmingham Garage Awards 2024, hosted by the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). Celebrating the country’s best automotive technicians, the awards will be presented on Wednesday, 5 June at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event at NEC, Birmingham. The second awards will feature an expanded number of award categories, going from eight in 2023 to 10. They demonstrate commitment and dedication in the garage sector to ensuring affordable mobility in the UK over the past few years. The awards are accepting nominations until the closing date on 29 March here.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has opened entries for the British Independent Garage of the Year Awards 2024. The awards offer a diverse range of categories to recognise excellence in the independent automotive sector. Independent garages and industry suppliers in the UK can enter online now on the Independent Garage Association website.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) will run a “bigger and better” British Independent Garage of the Year (BIG) Awards event in 2024. Following the resounding success of its 2023 BIG Awards, where the IGA presented each of the category winners with a £1,000 cash prize, alongside an array of prizes from the event sponsors and also donated £10,000 to the motor industry charity BEN.
IGA will offer large subsidies on MOT training for their members from 1 November 2023. These include a 40 per cent reduction in the cost of MOT tester training and a 50 per cent reduction in the cost of MOT manager training for a limited period. “Due to the challenging times we are facing as a sector, the IGA feels it is appropriate to provide support to members and help them with the cost of upskilling their staff, as we enter the busy period for MOTs,” announced Stuart James, IGA chief executive.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is taking its activity direct to its aftermarket membership with the arrangement of several regional meetings across England in mid-October. With the exclusive meetings providing members with insight into the Federation’s activity, IAAF is taking its message on the road, with hosts offering visitors a glimpse behind the scenes at their state-of-the-art facilities. Meetings are planned for Tuesday 10 October, Wednesday 11 October and Thursday 12 October at IAAF members Ring Automotive in Leeds, SMP Europe in Nottingham, and Hella in Banbury respectively.
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has joined other global association leaders to support the critical global Right to Repair movement by signing the new right to repair position statement. The statement enumerates the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of right to repair legislation. Importantly, the document sets out ten best practice principles to developing a framework for right to repair legislation that any supporting country can use and adapt to their needs.
UK independent garages have responded enthusiastically to last week’s announcement that they will be able to access Security-related Repair and Maintenance Information (SERMI) using the same framework as their EU counterparts, thanks to agreements reached by the Independent Garage Association (IGA). The IGA reports that garages are getting in touch in large numbers to register their interest in the scheme, which will transform the way garages and workshops access manufacturer technical information on security systems such as keys and ECU coding, by creating one central audit and certification process.
As part of its endeavours to be the “UK’s leading independent tyre dealer and car maintenance network,” in 2022 Point S Tyre & Autocare made a “substantial investment” in its independent auto centres. Point S says its members “can expect a year of further network development and progress in 2023” that builds upon this investment.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has welcomed the spotlight shone by the Social Market Foundation (SMF) on the central importance of the UK independent garage sector in ensuring the future mobility of the UK. Readers can download the full report here.
EV Ready has unveiled its line-up of electric vehicle industry experts ahead of a trade show evening on January 25, 2023 at Brighton Racecourse. Alongside an exhibition of the very latest EV-related equipment, tools, training and parts available to independent garages from the UK aftermarket’s biggest brands, an EV Ready discussion panel will weigh-up what the UK’s growing EV car parc means for vehicle servicing and repairs, the business opportunities available and how best for workshops to transition into the new and emerging electrified era.
National automotive parts distributor, GSF Car Parts has been named as the headline sponsor of EV Ready, the UK’s first ever independent garage event dedicated to electric vehicle skills equipment and technology.
As part of Schaeffler’s ongoing commitment to the independent sector, the company is keen to gauge the opinion of the many professional vehicle technicians that fit its original equipment (OE) parts, regarding several key issues, as garages face the many challenges, opportunities and uncertainties of the ever-changing aftermarket landscape.
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