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VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
Spring 2020

Voice
              The

              The Official NFDA magazine for the Industry

                                          In this issue...

                                        Covid - 19 Guidance

                                NFDA Dealer Attitude Survey

                      100 Dealers Receive EVA Accreditation

                   David Newman Appointed NFDA Chairman

                                           ...and more!

               The Voice Interviews Mark Lavery,
               CEO of Cambria Automobiles Plc
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
Welcome to the Spring
                                                         Edition of the Voice                                                                              Coronavirus
                                                                                                                                                           UPDATE
                                                      The latest results of the NFDA Dealer              The magazine features an interview with
                                                      Attitude Survey Winter 2019/2020                   Mark Lavery, CEO of Cambria Automobiles,
                                                      are included in The Voice. The survey,             as well as summaries of the latest
                                                      published in March, showed that Lexus had          developments in employment law and the
                                                      the highest, overall average score across          main measures announced in the Spring
                                                      all questions and, in general, there was a         Budget.
                                                      slight improvement in dealers’ satisfaction
                                                      levels with their manufacturers. The survey        Please note, due to the Coronavirus, we

                                                                                                                                                        Covid-19 Coronavirus Guidance for NFDA members
                                                      continues to represent an essential tool for       have had to postpone the NFDA Spring
                                                      NFDA to monitor the health of the dealer/          Ball which was due to take place on 25
                                                      manufacturer working relationship. Please          April 2020 and will now likely be held in
                              Sue Robinson
                                                      find more details in the magazine.                 Spring 2021. We have already contacted         The Covid-19 Coronavirus emergency        automotive retail sector.
                                                                                                         sponsors and guests individually, but if you   is presenting a number of challenges                                                Visit our website to find guidance
                             Director, NFDA           The Voice features a comprehensive                                                                                                          We are in constant communication
                                                                                                         have any questions please do not hesitate      for automotive retailers.                                                           documents on:
                                                      update on Drive My Career including the            to get in touch.                                                                         with our dealer members as well as the
    Dear Colleague,                                   first Driving Inclusivity in Automotive event                                                                                                                                         • Generic HR & Employment
                                                                                                                                                        NFDA, your trade association, is          Government to continue to address
    The Coronavirus is presenting a number of         which took place in December, February’s           NFDA is the voice of automotive retailers.                                                                                            guidance
                                                      apprentice takeover campaign and a                                                                working harder than ever to support       the most pressing issues facing
    challenges for the whole country. NFDA has                                                           If you require any assistance or would like                                                                                        • Q&A around issues at work
    been working extremely hard to support            summary of the milestones achieved by                                                             its members. We will continue to send     businesses.
                                                                                                         to discuss any of the issues highlighted in
    our franchised dealer members and provide         Drive My Career in its first two years.                                                           regular updates and communications                                                  • Coronavirus Job Retention
                                                                                                         the magazine, please contact our member                                                  We are providing our dealer members
    them with regular guidance and daily                                                                 helpline on 01788 538303 or email                                                                                                     Scheme
                                                      Also, you will find an update on our Electric                                                     over the coming weeks. Our helpline       with guidance documents prepared by
    updates on the issues facing businesses                                                              nfda@rmf.co.uk.                                                                                                                    • Lay off and short-time working
                                                      Vehicle Approved (EVA) accreditation                                                              and email support are available to        our legal team on a daily basis through
    and the announcements made by the                                                                                                                                                                                                       • Summary of Government
    Government. Please find in the magazine           scheme with the list of the 100 dealerships                                                       members as usual.                         our coronavirus-dedicated bulletin,
                                                      that obtained their EV Accreditation during                                                                                                                                              financial support measures
    the list of issues we have covered and visit                                                                                                                                                  website and social media channels.
    www.nfda-uk.co.uk/industry-issues for             the first twelve of months of operation of                                                        The situation is very fluid and we                                                  • Latest member updates including
    more information.                                 EVA.                                                                                              continue to monitor the implications      We encourage NFDA members                    MoT exemption, businesses to
                                                                                                                                                        that the measures announced by            who are currently not receiving this         temporary close, key workers
                                                                                                                                                        the Government are having on the          guidance to contact us.

    NFDA REGIONAL MEETINGS 2020: DATES & VENUES
    The NFDA Regional Meetings 2020 will take place across the country throughout the year.                                                                             Visit www.nfda-uk.co.uk/industry-issues
    Themes of discussion will include new and used UK car market, the relationship between retailers and manufacturers, aftersales, HR, with an
    update on Drive My Career, finance and insurance, as well as electric vehicles, including NFDA’s Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) scheme.
                                                                                                                                                                                or email nfda@rmif.co.uk
    We will cover the focus of NFDA’s lobbying activities, as well as the latest results of the Dealer Attitude Survey Winter 2019/2020 and Consumer                   Member Helpline - Contact: 01788 538 303
    Attitude Survey 2020.

    SOUTH WEST                                       SOUTH                                       MIDLANDS

                                                                                                                                                        NFDA calls on Government to support franchised
    Venue: Holiday Inn, Filton, Bristol              Venue: Hilton Hotel, Cobham                 Venue below
    Thursday 4 June                                  Tuesday 16 June                             Thursday 18 June – Hilton, Northampton
    Thursday 24 September
    Tuesday 8 December
                                                     Thursday 10 September
                                                     Thursday 17 December
                                                                                                 Tuesday 8 September – Double Tree by Hilton,
                                                                                                 Walsgrave, Coventry
                                                                                                                                                        dealers and automotive aftermarket
                                                                                                 Wednesday 9 December – Double Tree by Hilton,
                                                     NORTH EAST                                  Walsgrave, Coventry                                    On 17 March 2020, NFDA wrote              that critical vehicles can continue to    On 25 March, the Transport Secretary’s
    NORTH
    Venue: Park Royal Hotel, Warrington              Venue: Marriott Hotel, York                                                                        a letter to the Chancellor of the         operate safely and efficiently during     announced that vehicle owners will be
                                                                                                 The regional meetings help us set the                  Exchequer, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP      these extremely challenging times.        exempt from MOTs for 6 months, the
    Tuesday 23 June                                  Tuesday 9 June
                                                                                                 direction of our work and enable us to                 and Alok Sharma, Secretary of State                                                 Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency
    Tuesday 22 September                             Tuesday 15 September
                                                     Tuesday 15 December                         provide you with an accurate update on all             for Business, Enterprise and Industrial   MOT moratorium                            (DVSA) has outlined the details of the
    Thursday 10 December
                                                                                                 our activities. Your feedback is key and your
                                                                                                                                                        Strategy, to urge the Government to                                                 exemption which are available on the
                                                                                                 attendance to the NFDA Regional Meetings is                                                      Additionally, at a time when many
    Meetings take place in the morning and lunch is provided.                                                                                           support franchised retailers during the                                             NFDA website.
                                                                                                 vital: contact nfda@rmif.co.uk to attend.                                                        vehicle owners are going to be ill, in
                                                                                                                                                        outbreak of the Coronavirus.
                                                                                                                                                                                                  quarantine or social distancing, NFDA     NFDA will continue to monitor the
                                                                                                                                                        NFDA asked for assurances that            highlighted to Government that it was     situation and provide our members
                                                                                                                                                        service and repair workshops in           not reasonable to require them to         with timely updates. Please visit
                                                                                                                                                        franchised dealerships will not be        venture out to get their vehicles MOT-    www.nfda-uk.co.uk for more
                                                                                                                                                        closed as these are vital in ensuring     tested.                                   details.

2                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    3
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
RMI Employment Law
                                                                                                                                                as being employed by the client. Currently,    weeks of leave following the loss of child      situations (if, for whatever reason, that step
                                                                                                                                                it is the intermediary’s responsibility to     under the age of 18, or a stillbirth after 24   has been missed) it is not necessarily fatal
                                                                                                                                                determine whether IR35 applies.                weeks of pregnancy.                             to an unfair dismissal defence.
                                                                                                                                                From 6th April                                 Details of the new entitlement and those        Tribunal Procedure: striking out
                                                                                                                                                                                               who will qualify will be set out in separate

        BULLETIN
                                                                                                                                                From 6 April 2020, changes to IR35                                                             In Employment Tribunals striking out a
                                                                                                                                                                                               Regulations. Bereaved parents will be
                                                                                                                                                rules will be implemented for medium and                                                       claim prior to the hearing is increasingly
                                                                                                                                                                                               entitled to take their leave in one two-week
                                                                                                                                                large businesses in the private sector and                                                     rare. Over the years Tribunals have become
                                                                                                                                                                                               block or in two separate blocks of one
                                                                                                                                                will largely mirror changes that took effect                                                   more cautious of striking out unless the
                                                                                                                                                                                               week. The leave must be taken before
                                                                                                                                                in the public sector in 2017.                                                                  grounds for doing so are very clear.
                                                                                                                                                                                               the end of a period of at least 56 days
                                                                                                                                                Under the new regime, for all contracts        beginning with the date of the child’s death.   When considering striking out a Tribunal
                                                                                                                                                entered into, or payments made on or                                                           will often issue an “Unless Order” stating
                                                                                                                                                                                               Bereaved parents employed with a
                                                                                                                                                after 6 April 2020, the onus will shift from                                                   that unless a party complies with some
                                                                                                                                                                                               minimum of 26 weeks’ continuous service
                                                                                                                                                the PSC to the end user client to make                                                         direction, then the claim will be struck
                                                                                                                                                                                               will also be entitled to receive statutory
                                                                                                                                                a status determination. Responsibility for                                                     out. In Duncan Lewis Solicitors v Puar the
                                                                                                                                                                                               parental bereavement pay. Those with less

                                                        Spring 2020
                                                                                                                                                accounting for tax and national insurance                                                      Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) held
                                                                                                                                                                                               than 26 weeks’ continuous service will be
                                                                                                                                                will shift to the party who pays for the                                                       that a Tribunal should specifically consider
                                                                                                                                                                                               entitled to take two weeks of unpaid leave.
                                                                                                                                                individual’s services, known as the ‘fee-                                                      the seriousness of the default, as well as
                                                                                                                                                payer’.                                        CASE LAW UPDATE                                 any reason for the default, before striking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               out a claim or a defence.
                                                                                                                                                In anticipation of these changes, it           • Unfair Dismissals and Investigations
                                                                                                                                                is essential that medium and large             • Tribunal Procedure: striking out              Facts
                                                 Welcome to the Spring Edition of the RMI Employment                                            businesses carry out an assessment to                                                          The Claimant’s claim was struck out after
                                                      law bulletin. As it is once again spring there are a                                      determine whether the new rules under          Unfair Dismissals and Investigations            she failed to comply with an Unless Order
                                                                                                                                                IR35 apply to their independent contractors                                                    requiring her to give further particulars
                                                               number of changes coming in this April.                                                                                         Under the Employment Rights Act 1996
                                                                                                                                                and review their contracts and pay                                                             (details) of her claim.
                                                                                                                                                                                               (section 98 (4)) one of the important steps
                                                                                                                                                arrangements. Small businesses will not be
                                                                                                                                                                                               needed for an employer to demonstrate a
                                                                                                                                                caught by the changes.                         fair dismissal to an Employment Tribunal is     The Claimant applied to the Tribunal for a
                                                                                                                                                                                               to demonstrate that a fair investigation has    review of the original strike out decision,
                                                                                                                                                HOLIDAY PAY REFERENCE                          taken place.                                    which was successful. The Respondent
                                                                                                                                                PERIOD ADJUSTMENT                                                                              then appealed to the Employment Appeal
                                                                                                                                                                                               It is generally good practice to hold a         Tribunal (EAT) against that reconsideration
                                                                                                                                                Presently                                      separate investigation meeting before           decision.
                                                                                                                                                                                               a decision is taken to proceed with an
                                                                                                                                                The calculation of holiday pay can be                                                          In the EAT’s Judgment it separated out
                                                                                                                                                                                               invitation to a disciplinary hearing. The
                                                                                                                                                complicated, particularly for those with                                                       the questions the Tribunal had to ask
                                                        is removed. Once agency                                                                                                                ACAS code of practice at paragraph
                                                                                                                                                variable hours and variable rates of                                                           itself when considering the matter. There
                                                        workers have satisfied the                                                                                                             5 also makes this point. It is frequently
                                                                                                                                                remuneration. Currently, the holiday pay                                                       should be a specific finding on a question
                                                        12-week qualifying period,                                                                                                             however assumed that without a separate
                                                                                                                                                reference period is 12 weeks under the                                                         of the seriousness of the Claimant’s default
                                                        they will be entitled to equal pay                                                                                                     investigation meeting any subsequent
                                                                                                                                                Employment Rights Act 1996 (albeit it is                                                       and that should be dealt with separately
                                                        comparable to workers who are                                                                                                          dismissal will be unfair. That however is
                                                                                                                                                arguable that is not binding).                                                                 from the reason for the default. These
                                                        engaged directly by the employer.                                                                                                      wrong and this has just been re-confirmed
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               were separate questions for a Tribunal
                                                                                                                                                From 6th April                                 by the Employment Appeal Tribunal (EAT) in
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               to consider and, in making a decision,
                                                        In addition, from 6 April 2020 all                                                                                                     the Judgment Sunshine Hotel v Goddard.
                                                                                                                                                From 6 April 2020, the holiday pay                                                             the Tribunal had to set out its reasoning
                                                        agency work-seekers must be
                                                                                                                                                reference period will increase from 12         In the case the EAT confirmed there is no       sufficiently on such matters.
                                                        provided with a key facts statement
                                                        setting out the terms under which                                                       weeks to 52 weeks. Employers will be           legal requirement for an employer to hold
                                                        they will undertake the work.                                                           required to look back at the previous 52       an investigation meeting. Section 98(4)         IN CONCLUSION
                                                                                                                                                weeks where a worker has worked and            plus the ACAS code of practice requires
                                                                                                                                                                                               an employer to act “reasonably”. The            Don’t forget, any advice contained in the
                                                         On or prior to 30 April 2020, agency                                                   received pay, discarding any weeks not
                                                                                                                                                                                               key points for an investigation is to           above is general in nature and will need to
                                                         workers whose existing contracts                                                       worked or where no pay was received, to
    AMENDMENTS TO                                                                                                                                                                              consider all the relevant evidence (not just    be tailored to any one particular situation.
                                                         contain a Swedish derogation                                                           calculate the average weekly pay.
    AGENCY WORKERS RULES                         provision must be provided with a written                                                                                                     the evidence that supports the employer’s       As an RMI member you have access to the
                                                                                                                                                It is hoped that this change will help to      case) and make sure that the employee           RMI Legal advice line, as well as a number
    Presently                                    notification by the agency that it will no     of written particulars from their first day     even out the variation in pay for workers,     knows the evidence and full details of the      of industry experts for your assistance.
                                                 longer have effect.
                                                                                                of employment. Additional information           particularly those in seasonal or atypical     allegations they are facing in advance.         Should you find yourself in the situation
    The Agency Worker Regulations
                                                                                                will have to be included as part of the         roles.                                                                                         above, contact us at any stage for advice
    2010 entitle agency workers to receive the   NEW RIGHT TO A WRITTEN                         extended right.                                                                                Of course, employers also have to be            and assistance as appropriate.
    same pay and basic working conditions as     STATEMENT OF TERMS
                                                                                                                                                NEW PARENTAL                                   aware of their own procedures. If there is a
    direct recruits once they have completed                                                    Changes to IR35 rules for the private                                                                                                          Motor Industry Legal Services
                                                                                                                                                                                               disciplinary policy which always requires an
    12 weeks’ continuous service working in      Presently                                      sector                                          BEREAVEMENT LAW                                employer to hold a separate investigatory
    the same role. The ‘Swedish derogation’                                                                                                                                                                                                    Motor Industry Legal Services (MILS)
                                                 Currently, employees who have been                                                             Presently                                      meeting, then in such situations that           provides fully comprehensive legal advice
    currently provides an exemption to the                                                      Presently
    right to equal pay, if agency workers are    continuously employed for more than one                                                                                                       may (but will not always) mean that a           and representation to UK motor retailers
                                                 month must be provided with a written          At present, the IR35 rules apply where          There is no statutory law in this area.        subsequent dismissal is unfair.                 for one annual fee. It is the only law firm
    employed under a permanent contract
    of employment with the temporary work        statement of terms within two months of        an individual (worker) personally performs                                                                                                     in the UK which specialises in motor
                                                                                                                                                From April (probably)                          Comment
    agency and are paid by the agency for        employment commencing.                         services for another person (client), through                                                                                                  law and motor trade law. MILS currently
    periods between assignments.                                                                an intermediary (usually a personal service     The Parental Bereavement (Leave and Pay)       The case is good news for employers. We         advises over 1,000 individual businesses
                                                 From 6th April                                 company, or PSC) and if the services            Act 2018 is expected to come into force        would generally advise that a separate          within the sector as well as the Retail
    From 6th April                                                                              were provided under a direct contract, the      in April 2020. If it does come into force,     investigation meeting is best practice,         Motor Industry Federation (RMI) and its
                                                 From 6 April 2020, all new employees and
    From 6 April 2020, the Swedish derogation    workers will have the right to a statement     worker would be regarded for tax purposes       bereaved parents will have the right to two    but the case goes to show that in some          members.

4                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               5
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
ALL 100 DEALERS RECEIVE
                                                        ELECTRIC VEHICLE APPROVED
                                                               (EVA) ACCREDITATION
                                                                                                                                                          COMMERCIAL VEHICLE DIVISION

                                                                                                                                                          SLIGHT DECLINE IN LCV
                                                                                                                                                          MARKET DURING FEBRUARY
    Electric Vehicle Approved
                                                                                                                                                          Light commercial vehicle registrations were down for the first
    Following less than 12 months since the official                                                                                                      time since November 2019, according to the SMMT’s LCV
    launch of the Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA), all                                                                                                    registration figures for February 2020.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   In contrast, 2.0-2.5 tonne vans saw a strong 9.3% rise in demand,
    dealerships that entered the scheme have now been                                                                                                     14,103 LCVs were registered in February, with 14,384 registered in       from 2,469 sales to 2,698 this year. 4x4s also had a good February,
    audited and have received their EVA accreditation.                                                                                                    the same period last year, indicating a decline of -2.0%. Year-to-date   almost doubling from 25 to 48 vehicles registered.
                                                                                                                                                          figures, however, showed an increase of 2.8%, from 36,620 in 2019
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The Ford Transit Custom yet again maintained itself as the most
    Electric Vehicle Approved (EVA) is the accreditation scheme               by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) to verify that they met the EVA            to 37,660 in 2020.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   registered LCV of the month totalling 1,930 units sold, adding up
    launched by the NFDA in 2019 to recognise expertise in the electric       standards. The standards cover key areas of EV retail and aftersales        Decreases were seen most prominently in vans under 2.0 tonnes,           to 5,047 in the year to date. Ford Transit continued as the second
    vehicle sector and promote industry standards for the benefit of the      including sales advertising, retailers’ communication with the              dropping 11.1% to 922 units, and pickups falling from 1,505 in           highest seller at 1,897 units, maintaining good demand from Ford,
    consumer. In its first year, the scheme was endorsed and funded by        consumer, staff training and availability of charge points.                 February 2019 to 1,353 in February 2020. Vans weighting 2.5-3.5          with the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter beating the Vauxhall Vivaro into
    the Government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV).                                                                                             tonnes saw a smaller decline of 2.8%.                                    third, selling 1,092 vehicles.
                                                                              NFDA is currently in conversation with the Government to discuss
    Dealerships that entered the scheme were independently audited            their involvement in the scheme in 2020.

    List of EV Approved retailers

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   NMDA
                                                                              Johnsons Hyundai Coventry             Triangle of Chesterfield Kia
                                                                              JS Holmes Ltd Nissan                  VERTU Motors Macklin Motors
    eCarLogical                          Glyn Hopkin Nissan Chelmsford                                              Nissan Glasgow Central
                                                                              Listers VW Evesham
    Acorn Group Limited Kia              Glyn Hopkin Nissan Cambridge                                               VERTU Motors Bristol Street Motors
                                                                              Listers VW Leamington
                                                                                                                    Nissan Darlington
    Alex F. Noble and Son Nissan         Glyn Hopkin Nissan Colchester        Listers VW Loughborough
    Edinburgh                                                                                                       VERTU Motors Bristol Street Motors
                                         Glyn Hopkin Nissan Waltham Abbey     Listers VW Stratford upon Avon        Nissan Northampton
    All Electric Hyundai Kidderminster
                                         Glyn Hopkin Nissan Ipswich           Listers VW Worcester                  VERTU Motors Bristol Street                                                                                    NATIONAL MOTORCYCLE DEALERS ASSOCIATION
    Arnold Clark Hillington Renault                                                                                 Ilkeston/ Nissan
                                         Group 1 Automotive Beadles           Listers Group Ltd Audi Solihull

                                                                                                                                                                                                                              ENCOURAGING 3%
    Berry BMW Chiswick                   Volkswagen Maidstone                                                       VERTU Motors Bristol Motors
                                                                              Lookers VW Battersea
    BFC Motor Group                      Hendy Kia (Eastleigh)                                                      Chesterfield/Nissan
                                                                              Lookers VW Newcastle
    Blackshaws Mitsubishi Morpeth
    Blackshaws Mitsubishi Alnwick
                                         Hendy Renault Brighton
                                         Humming Bird Motors Plc Colindale,
                                                                              Marriott Group King’s Lynn
                                                                              Volkswagen
                                                                                                                    VERTU Motors Bristol Street
                                                                                                                    Renault-Derby/Renault                                                                                  GROWTH IN MOTORCYCLE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                             REGISTRATIONS FOR
                                         London, Kia                                                                VERTU Motors Bristol Street Motors/
    Caffyns VW Worthing                                                       Marriott Group Bury St. Edmunds       Renault
                                         Humphries and Parks Ltd.             Volkswagen
    Clive Brook Volvo Huddersfield

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 FEBRUARY
                                                                                                                    VERTU Motors Macklin Motors
                                         Jardine Motors Group Lancaster       Marshall Motor Group VW Oxford        Glasgow South Nissan
    Clive Brook Volvo Bradford
                                         Reading                              Kidlington
    Corkills Wigan VW                                                                                               VERTU Motors Bristol Street Motors
                                         Jardine Motors Group Tamworth        Marshall Motor Group VW South         Bradford/Nissan                                                                                                category, falling by -6.3%, alongside touring and trail/enduro.
    DSG Hyundai                          Audi                                 Oxford
    Devonshire Motors                                                                                               VERTU Motors Bristol Street Motors
                                         Jardine Motors Group Porsche         Masters of Beckenham Ltd Renault
                                         Centre South London                                                        Halifax/Nissan                                                                                                 The Honda PCX 125 was again the most registered model with 190
    Eastern Western Motor Group                                               Motorline Maidstone Audi
                                                                                                                                                          February 2020 delivered a strong 3% increase in motorcycle
    Nissan Edinburgh                     Jardine Motors Group Warrington                                            VERTU Motors Nottingham Hyundai                                                                                units, followed by the Honda Z 125 MA with 85, and the Lexmoto
                                                                                                                                                          sales compared to last year, improving a typically quiet
                                         Audi                                 Motorline East Kent Audi              Vospers Nissan                                                                                                 LXR 125 SY 125-10 in third with 51 sales.
    Eastern Western Motor Group                                                                                                                           month. This is based on the registration figures provided by
    Barnetts Nissan Dundee               Jardine Motors Group Amersham        Norton Way Group Nissan               Wessex Garages Kia Newport
                                         Audi                                                                                                             the Motorcycle Industry Association (MCIA) Press Statistics              Lexmoto retained its position as the third best-selling brand of
    Eastern Western Motor Group                                               Pebley Beach Ltd Hyundai & Suzuki     Wessex Garages Hyundai Newport
                                                                              (Swindon)                                                                   for February 2020.                                                       February 2020, with Honda remaining at the top with 1,124
    Nissan Fife                          Jardine Motors Group Milton Keynes
                                         Audi                                                                       Wessex Garages Nissan Gloucester                                                                               registrations, and Yamaha a distant second with 591. After a strong
    Eastern Western Motor Group                                               Perrys Kia Preston                                                          4,607 new motorcycles were registered in February, up from 4,473 in
    Nissan Stirling                      Jardine Motors Group Porsche                                               Wessex Garages Kia Gloucester                                                                                  January, Royal Enfield dropped out of the top 10, with SYM entering
                                                                              Saftdwin Ltd Martins of Camberley                                           February 2019. In terms of year-to-date, the market has grown 2.9%,
    Fish Brothers Kia
                                         Centre Colchester                                                          Wessex Garages Bristol Kia                                                                                     at number 10 for the first time in many months. February is a month
                                                                              Saftdwin Ltd Martins of Basingstoke                                         from 10,449 in 2019 to 10,753 in 2020 so far.                            that often distorts the normal market trends and so it was with
                                         Jardine Motors Group Porsche                                               Wessex Garages Kia Cardiff
    Glyn Hopkin Nissan St. Albans                                             Smiths Motor Group Nissan
                                         Centre East London                                                                                                                                                                        brands like Suzuki and Ducati were not amongst the top-ten brands
    Glyn Hopkin Nissan East London                                                                                  Wessex Garages Hyundai Cardiff        Growth in terms of engine bands was seen across the board, with
                                         Jardine Motors Group Manchester      Smiths Motor Group Hyundai                                                                                                                           in registration volumes.
    Glyn Hopkin Nissan North London      Audi                                 Peterborough                          Wessex Garages Cardiff Nissan         the biggest increases coming from 651-1000cc at 27.7%, and over
    Glyn Hopkin Nissan Bedford           JCT600 VW Sheffield                  Smiths Motor Group Reanult            West Way Nissan Manchester            1000cc at 7.3%. Only the 126-650cc band saw a decline, from              Although motorcycle dealers have felt optimistic about market
    Glyn Hopkin Nissan Romford           JCT600 Ltd Sheffield Audi            Sturgess Hyundai Loughborough         West Way Nissan Mill Hill London
                                                                                                                                                          1,078 in February 2019 to 955 in February 2020.                          demand for this year, the recent negative effects of the coronavirus
    Glyn Hopkin Nissan Milton Keynes     John Clarke Dundee Audi              Swansway Blackburn                    West Way Nissan Stourbridge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   pandemic are bound to supress market confidence for March.
                                                                                                                                                          Naked motorcycles again showed encouraging growth with an
                                                                                                                                                          increase of 14.4% to 1,389 units. Sport/tour bikes saw a big 88.2%       NMDA hopes that the March plate change and orders in January
                        For more information visit the EVA website: www.evapproved.co.uk or email eva@rmif.co.uk                                          change from 51 last year to 96 this year, with adventure sport and       and February being registered in March will be able to combat the
                                                      Follow us on Twitter: @EVApproved                                                                   customs also growing. Drops were seen in the motorcycle scooter          potential impact of coronavirus on the market.

6                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         7
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
LEVELLING OUT OF AUCTION                                                                                       What the Spring
                                          DEMAND EXPECTED IN MARCH                                                                                       Budget Means for
                                                                                                                                                         the Road to Zero
                                          Following the past few months of strong volume growth, respondents to the National Association
                                          for Motor Auctions’ (NAMA) market attitude survey expect volumes to stabilise during March.

                                          38% of respondents believed that volumes would stay the same in March, with a quarter estimating
                                          an increase and 42% expecting a fall. March usually sees an increase in vehicle volumes due to dealer

     50                                   part-exchange vehicles following the March plate change. However, according to NAMA, it is likely the
           YEARS

                   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                                          volumes will level off, as good quality used cars are in shorter supply, so dealers are holding onto more      When newly appointed Chancellor Rishi Sunak      package of measures to help otherwise viable      Nonetheless, the Treasury’s response
                     OF MOTOR AUCTIONS
     1969-2019                            part-exchange vehicles to sell at retail rather than auctions.                                                 MP announced that the Government’s first         businesses weather the storm. This included       to the outbreak did not detract from the
                                                                                                                                                         Budget since October 2018 would go ahead         temporarily extending business rates reliefs      Government’s other priorities. Since the
    Conversion rates were predicted to remain strong, with 58% expecting yet another rise, a third                                                       this March, it was marked as one which would     for SMEs, a Coronavirus Business Interruption     announcement that the ban on new petrol,
    believing they would stay the same, and only 8% thought they would decrease. First time                                                              pave the way forward for a post-Brexit Britain   Loan Scheme and a £2.2 million grant              diesel hybrid sales will be brought forward to
    conversion rates also saw 58% of respondents expecting an increase, as demand for good                                                               and bring certainty to Government finances.      scheme for small businesses. Bank of England      2035, the motor industry had been waiting
    quality used car stock continues amid strong consumer sales.                                                                                         However, the recent Coronavirus outbreak         Governor Mark Carney simultaneously               with anticipation for the March Budget to
                                                                                                                                                         shifted the focus of the budget entirely.        announced a cut to interest rates, bringing       provide some clarity on how we will get there
    Following a strong two months for vehicle values, they are generally expected to plateau                                                                                                              them back down to 0.25%, the lowest rate in       – the Chancellor’s new commitments on
    in March by NAMA members. 83% of respondents suggested that petrol cars would                                                                        In response to declining consumer spending in    UK history. Interest rates were subsequently      electric car subsidies, taxes and infrastructure
    remain the same, with 75% saying the same for diesel, and 82% for hybrids.                                                                           the wake of the outbreak, Sunak announced a      cut again to 0.1%                                 investment provided some answers.
    No respondents believed that petrol, hybrid or plug-in hybrid values would
    decrease, and only 17% believe diesel value would decrease.
                                                                                                                                                           Plug-In Grant – Safe for Now                    other automotive organisations stressed         It is encouraging that following lobbying
    The market is expected to remain strong in the run up to Easter,                                                                                                                                       the importance of incentives such as the        efforts, the Plug-In Car and Van Grants have
                                                                                                                                                           In late 2019, concern surrounding the future    Plug-In Car and Van grants in their pre-        been protected until 2022-23, although
    although external factors may have some short-term effects
                                                                                                                                                           of the Plug-In Car Grant was raised after       budget submissions, particularly in light of    this came at the cost of £500 from the total
    on the market, particularly the uncertainty surrounding
                                                                                                                                                           Transport Secretary Grant Shapps told the       the 2035 ban. Consumer research suggests        grant amount for cars, as well as removing
    coronavirus. However, any impact is likely to be short                                                                                                 Times he could not promise “lots of extra       that vehicle price remains one of the most      eligibility for the grant from electric cars
    lived and only delay vehicle buying decisions rather                                                                                                   public bungs of taxpayers’ cash so you          significant market entry barriers, as well as   valued higher than £50,000.
    than remove them altogether.                                                                                                                           can buy your new car”. The NFDA and             charging anxiety.

                                                                                                                                                           Changes to VED: suspension of supplement for ‘expensive EVs’                                    Further clarity was also given on Company
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           Car Tax (CCT) rates until the end of 2024/25
                                                                                                                                                           Aside from the plug-in grant, the Budget       The temporary changes to VED                     financial year. The Budget confirmed that

    DAVID NEWMAN APPOINTED                                                                                       forward to supporting Director            also reaffirmed the effectiveness of tax       supplements were paired with the launch          CCT would be frozen from 2023-24 to
                                                                                                                 Sue Robinson, her team and UK             changes in driving electric vehicle (EV)       of a full review of the VED framework. The
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           2024-25, meaning that CCT rates for EVs
                                                                                                                                                           uptake. For instance, the ‘expensive car’      Treasury is consulting on plans to create
                                                                                                                 franchised retailers over the next
            NFDA CHAIRMAN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           will be no higher than 2% in five years’
                                                                                                                                                                                                          a more ‘granular’ system which would
                                                                                                                 years. I would very much like to          VED supplement will be suspended for                                                            time – 13 points lower than the cleanest
                                                                                                                                                                                                          eliminate “cliff edges” in CO2 banding and
                                                                                                                 thank Mark Squires for his years of       premium EVs – from 1 April 2020 until 31                                                        petrol car. This is a significant incentive for
                                                                                                                                                                                                          instead reward marginal reductions in new
                                                                       David has extensive experience in         service.”                                 March 2025. The supplement charged £320        car CO2, as well as “greening VED after first    company car drivers to switch to electric in
                                                                                                                                                           per year to owners of electric cars valued     registration.” The NFDA is engaging with         the next few years and gives businesses an
                                                                       the automotive retail industry having
                                                                                                                                                           at £40,000 or more, whilst cheaper models      this review process and will formally submit     appropriate timeframe to plan fleet stock
                                                                       worked at Ridgeway Group for 20
                                                                                                                                                           incurred £0 of duty.                           the sector’s views in due course.                changes.
                                                                       years as Chief Executive, Chairman
                                                                       and owner of the business. The
                                                                       company was sold to Marshall Motor
                                                                       Holdings PLC in May 2016.                                                           Powering Infrastructure Investment             Many businesses looking to install these         connecting high-powered charge points to
                                                                                                                                                                                                          chargepoints have found the cost of              the electricity grid where those costs would
                                                                                                                                                           As mentioned earlier, charging anxiety
                                                                       David began his career as a graduate                                                                                               upgrading local power supplies prohibitive,      prevent private sector investment. This will
                                                                                                                                                           remains one of the most significant factors
                                                                       trainee with Ford Motor Company.                                                                                                   with some installations incurring six-figure     be welcome news to many businesses,
                                                                                                                                                           discouraging motorists from considering
                                                                       Subsequently, he worked in a                                                        an EV for their next car purchase. Whilst      connection costs.                                particularly auto retailers, who have a
                                                                       number of field management roles                                                    it is expected that most recharging will be                                                     strong business case for installing rapid
                                                                       with Citroen UK. David has a BSc                                                    completed at home, there is also a high        The Budget addressed this issue by               chargepoints. The NFDA will monitor and
                                                                       (Hons) in Politics and Economics          Mark Squires, outgoing NFDA               demand for ‘on route’ rapid chargepoints to    announcing a ‘Rapid Charging Fund’,              advise members on the details of this fund
                                                                       from Loughborough University.             Chairman, added, “It has been my          make EVs more viable on longer journeys.       to help businesses with the costs of             as and when it is announced.
             On 14 January 2020, the National                          His interests include cars, light         pleasure and privilege to work with
              Franchised Dealers Association                           commercial vehicles, trucks and           NFDA. During my three years as
           (NFDA) announced the appointment                            the whole motor industry, politics,       Chairman, I have seen the profile
              at the NFDA Executive Board of                           economics and current affairs.            of the association grow alongside       Additional measures announced in the             • Investments in colleges: 1.6 billion will      • Green Transport Solutions: £1 billion
            David Newman as Chairman. David                                                                      the launch of innovative initiatives.   Budget 2020:                                        be invested to improve FE college building        will be invested into Green Transport
          succeeded Mark Squires whose tenure                          David Newman, incoming Chairman,          It was particularly rewarding to play   • The Fuel duty will remain frozen for             and facilities                                    Solutions, this includes the improvement
          as Chairman ended at the end of 2019                         commented, “I am delighted to             an active role in the development          another year                                  • Transport infrastructure: £27 billion will        of the charging infrastructure
                                                                       take on the role of NFDA Chairman         of the now well-established             • The National Living Wage will be                 be invested to improve the condition of
            following his three years of service.
                                                                       during a time of significant changes      Consumer Attitude Survey. I wish           increased from £8,632 to £9,500                  4,000 miles of roads in the UK
                                                                       in the automotive industry. I look        David every success”.

8                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              9
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
NFDA TRIP to NADA

                                                                                                         2020
     From Friday 14 to Monday 17 February, NFDA attended the NADA Show 2020
     alongside dealer members and colleagues from around the world.                                                The second day of the show was            This year’s keynote speaker was           dealers are focusing heavily on
                                                                                                                   opened by Charlie Gilchrist, outgoing     former UK Prime Minister, The Right       providing their customers with the
                          With hundreds of exhibitors, informative     President and CEO, Charlie Gilchrist,       NADA Chairman, who thanked                Hon. David Cameron. He provided           best possible experience and a
                          workshops and learning sessions, this        2019 NADA Chairman and a number             dealers for their support to the trade    an interesting perspective on the         convenient and transparent service.
                          year’s NADA Show provided attendees          of industry representatives. One of         association. “Every dealer has a          current global political situation and,
                                                                                                                   tremendously bright future ahead,         although he did not focus on Brexit,      It was interesting to see that, in the
                          with an ideal opportunity to gain a better   the main issues on the agenda was
                                                                                                                   don’t let others define who you are.      he said trade tariffs “are the wrong      US, state franchise laws, which are
                          understanding of the US market and meet      the Dealership of Tomorrow. GM
                                                                                                                   Hold strong to your identity”, he said.   approach”. Sue Robinson was invited       set state by state, give significant
                          with colleagues from around the world        Automotive LLC President, Glenn
                                                                                                                                                             to meet with him who was surprised        protection to local dealerships.
                          including several NFDA counterparts.         Mercer, offered his perspective on
                                                                                                                   Our traditional dealer visit took place   to learn that there were many UK          These laws offer dealers protection
                          It was interesting to meet with NFDA’s       what dealers should expect over
                                                                                                                   at BMW of Henderson. The visit            dealers at the event.                     on a number of key business
                          equivalent in Australia, the Australian      the next decade and explained that
                                                                                                                   gave us an insight into the current                                                 issues. These include the ability
                          Automotive Dealer Association (AADA)         “dealerships are here to stay”.
                                                                                                                   challenges and opportunities facing       On the final day of the show,             of manufacturers to sell direct,
                          and see that their dealer members are                                                    US dealers and it was fascinating to      incoming NADA chairman, Rhett             termination without due cause,
                          experiencing similar issues to the UK in     Sue Robinson, NFDA Director,
                                                                       provided an update on NFDA’s                see first-hand how the dealership         Ricart, invited dealers to embrace the    as well as the density of dealer
                          the F&I sector.                                                                          operates.                                 opportunities that come with change.      networks.
                                                                       lobbying activities following Brexit
                                                                                                                                                                                    Overall, talking   Going forward, it is clear that
                                                                                                                                                                                    to dealers         flexibility and resilience will be key
                                                                                                                                                                                    and listening      to ensure that the automotive
                                                                                                                                                                                    to keynote         sector continues to thrive
                                                                                                                                                                                    speakers, it       throughout an unprecedented
                                                                                                                                                                                    was apparent       period of changes which will
                                                                                                                                                                                    that, also         affect the global automotive
                                                                                                                                                                                    in the US,         industry.

                          The workshops covered topics ranging
                          from the ‘future of car buying’ to the       and the association’s ongoing
                          ‘perfect service department’ as well as      relationships with key Government
                          the habits and business culture that drive   departments. She described the
                          success.                                     NFDA’s Parliamentary Engagement
                                                                       Programme which continues to
                          On the Friday, we had insightful             highlight the levels of investment in the
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     LAS

                                                                                                                                                                   2020
                          discussions at the NADA International        dealer sector. The scale of employment
                          Roundtable. The roundtable was               in the retail side of the automotive
                          attended by Peter Welch, NADA                industry was also discussed.                                                                                                                                  VEGAS
10                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              11
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
knowledgeable about not just our brands but every other competitor
                                                                                                                             ...And then Cambria                  Is your “guests’ experience” the biggest opportunity?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             brand in that space. This is not something that can be done on
                                                                                                                             was founded in 2006.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             the internet, there still needs to be a position where the guest can

                                                                                                                                                                     Q
                                                                          ‘The industry                                                                    Absolutely, nothing will ever be more important. We’ve got to make                experience all those touchpoints handled by an expert in the brand.
                                                                        has been hugely                                   A few of us got together,        ourselves easier to do business with. At Cambria, we work on the
                                                                      beneficial to me, but                               saw the way the industry         basis that if we can take a little and often out of every product that we         In the volume space, it appears that a number of OEMs are trying to
                                                                                                                          was going which seemed           sell and make sure we deliver a great guest experience, then the guest            go direct to the consumer while some are thinking you can just have
                                                                    what I have got out of it                             to be central ‘command           will come back to us for maintenance. If we continue to do that as we             a net base solution where you can pick up and drop off a vehicle but
                                                                   is the result of what I put                            and control’ with a very         move forward, I think there is a good opportunity to grow our business            commercially I haven’t seen that work yet. Somebody may come up
                                                                  into it by applying myself                              big head office and lots of      and enhance the relationships with the people that purchase from us.              with a solution down the line.
                                                                     24 hours a day, 7 days                               people in places a long way
                                                                                                                          away from the dealerships                                                                                          Once you take into account the movement of the vehicle, the
                                                                                                                                                               Will the uncertainty improve following the General Election
                                                                        a week and I still                                making decisions. Our view                    and the departure of the UK from the EU?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             maintenance and the repair of the product, and the ability to facility a
                                                                          do that now!’                                   was that the level of service                                                                                      warranty claim, I don’t see that happening without a physical retailer.
                                                                                                                          provided in our industry could
                                                                                                                                                           I don’t think there is any clarity yet. In a year’s time, if the Prime Minister
                                                                                                                          improve and we thought                                                                                                         NFDA has been working hard to improve the
                                                                                                                                                           is true to his word and we have a deal with a Free Trade Agreement

                                                        Q
                                                                                                                          that by having standalone        where we can move goods across the border without tariffs, then                              perception of the automotive industry through
                                                                                                                          autonomous responsible           that’s where the uncertainty is dealt with. However, if we don’t have a                  Drive My Career, which Cambria has supported since
                                                                              business units, with local people selling local cars to local people and                                                                                                  the beginning. Do you see any improvement?

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   A
                                                                                                                                                           Free Trade Agreement and we end up having tariffs, there is a real risk.

                                                                   A
                                                                              having those cars maintained locally would be a better way to go.            Honda has already announced the closure of their plant in Swindon
                                                                              Our Company strategy is the car and guest for life and this means we         and I think there may be a domino effect and we will end up with a lot            I do and I think the Drive My Career campaign has been excellent. We
                                                                              maintain a relationship with both the car and the guest.                     of people unemployed.                                                             were one of the original supporters and we have recently employed a
                                                                              We think having local people selling cars to local people helps us           I would like to see the Prime Minister and his senior advisors listen to          number of people from higher education thanks to these activities.
                                                                              ensure we refer to our four pillars of associate delight, guest delight,

            The Voice
                                                                                                                                                           the industry and understand what a core plank of the UK economy we                One of the aspects that our general managers need to understand
                                                                              brand delight and stakeholder delight. Instead of customers or               provide. We must work with the OEMs and make sure we have tariff-                 and one of our single biggest challenges, is that it is their role to recruit,
                                                                              consumers, we treat people as we would treat a guest coming into our         free access to the European markets.                                              train and retain their own associates. It’s not somebody else’s job.
                                                                              home.

            Interviews

                                                                                             Q
                                                                              Having these autonomous, responsible business units is different to                    How did the acquisition of Leven Cars Group’s
                                                                              the way most of the industry is going, particularly for businesses of our          Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin franchises come about?

           Mark Lavery
                                                                              size, but we found this strategy to be successful. We are fortunate to
                                                                              have some very good management and associates in our business                We tried to buy the business six years ago and it did not work out.
                                                                              and this makes a big difference to the Group’s performance.                  We actually had conversations with the shareholders of Leven prior
                                                                                                                                                           to Christmas and we were due to meet them in January and then, of
                                                                              General managers have the autonomy to operate those locations
             CEO of Cambria
                                                                                                                                                           course, the tragic set of circumstances occurred and the company
                                                                              as long as they follow our guidelines on all the things that are             went into administration.
                                                                              commercially critical.

             Automobiles Plc
                                                                                                                                                           It was an acquisition target we identified before, we know the market
                                                                              This model is probably not for everybody, but that’s how we have             well and a couple of our directors are based just outside Edinburgh.
                                                                              grown from a turnover of £26m in our first year when we made                 All the moons aligned and once the administrator was called, we were
                                                                              £107,000 pre-tax, to last year, when we turned over £657m and made           first in the queue and managed to get the deal done nine days after
                                                                              £12.3m pre-tax.                                                              we started the conversations.
       Mark has over 34 years of automotive retail                                                                                                                                                                                                        AM Awards 2019 - Business Leader of the Year
                                                                                                                                                           The team worked incredibly hard and we are delighted to finally be
       experience. He worked for Hartwell PLC for                                          What are the main challenges the industry

                                                                                                                                                          A
                                                                                                                                                           able to purchase the Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce franchises for
                                                                                                  is currently experiencing?
       10 years, which culminated in his becoming                                                                                                          Edinburgh.                                                                        We are in and around our communities all the time, the best
        Group Operations Director. He then took                                                                                                                                                                                              ambassadors for our retail sites should be the people that run them.
                                                                              We are in an unprecedented period of change, particularly with the                                                                                             Even when you are out having a coffee, there will be somebody in that
                                                                                                                                                                   Declining new car sales, strong and stable used and
      the role of Group Operations Director of Reg                            legislators’ emissions regulations affecting our OEM partners.                                                                                                 facility who is a potential associate for your business and we are not
                                                                                                                                                                    aftersales: is this still going to be the case in 2020?
       Vardy PLC from 2004 to 2005 and became                                 Zero tailpipe emission of course is critical, but I think we need to be                                                                                        spending enough time identifying, engaging and having a conversation
        the founder and CEO of Cambria in 2006.                               aware of the damage we are doing to the planet by mining some                The SMMT is suggesting new car sales will decline again and I agree               with these people.
        NFDA interviewed Mark in February 2020.                               of the minerals out of the earth then transporting those minerals all        because of a combination of uncertainty from our politicians and the              It is the General Managers responsibility to make sure he has a clear
                                                                              around the globe so that in first world countries we achieve zero            issues surrounding emissions, with the potential onerous fines for                Human Resource strategy. We have a term in Cambria called “Playing
                                                                              exhaust emissions but do enormous damage to the planet. There is             the OEMs. The used car market will continue to be a critical part for
                             How did it all start?                                                                                                                                                                                           7 against 11”, and it’s a football analogy. You don’t need to be a
                                                                              so much hypocrisy around what comes out of tailpipes. Legislators            franchised dealers, we are enjoying growth in this sector a number of
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             genius to work out playing 7 against 11, the side with 7 will lose. We
                                                                              should talk to the engineers who understand how it all works to make         others are also. When we sell a used car we must ensure we provide a
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             have the responsibility to have good human resources strategies to
     I came into the industry almost by accident. I took what I thought was   what we do far more sustainable. That’s the major challenge that the         good warranty product and ideally a service plan because a used car
     a six-week temporary summer holiday job at a Ford dealer just outside                                                                                 still needs to be maintained just like a new car.                                 make sure we become more attractive to get new people into our
                                                                              global industry faces.
     Liverpool called Skelmersdale Motors as a service receptionist. A                                                                                                                                                                       industry.
     vacancy came up in the sales operations and, 35 years later, I wonder    From a retailer point of view, it’s critically important as we go through
                                                                                                                                                                       What will the role of dealers be in the future?
     where it all went wrong...!                                              these changes that we work closely with our manufacturer partners,                                                                                                       What is your advice to young people considering
                                                                              that we continue to lobby the legislators and that we understand, no                                                                                                           a career in the automotive industry?
     From service reception to sales department, I ended up heading           matter what’s happening economically, the level of guest experience          We have seen consolidation in the UK for the last thirty years and
     my first department as used car sales manager within 18 months of        we provide is far more important than anything else.                         some progress can still be made on this front. I think there will be a
     coming into the industry and at 21 years old I became the youngest                                                                                    role for physical dealerships for decades to come, particularly if you            It is attainable. Young people may be influenced by external
     general manager in what was then called the Automotive Financial         If you look after your consumers, customers or guests, you will              are in the high luxury segment and we are fortunate a number of                   perceptions of our sector but it is our job to open their eyes and make
     Group, AFG, network. They were the distributors for Nissan products      still be able to build a business, even in these very uncertain and          our businesses fall into that category. A purchase in the high luxury             them want to be a part of what we do. The industry has been hugely
     in the UK before the factory in Japan took over. Then I became their     difficult times. As long as we remember there’s a guest at the end           segment is not necessarily a logic-based purchase, it is an emotional             beneficial to me, but what I have got out of it is the result of what I put
     youngest regional director at 23 years old...and from there my career    of everything we do, the industry will continue to demonstrate its           purchase. The guest wants the full brand experience, they need to be              into it by applying myself 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and I still do
     has progressed to my current role as CEO of Cambria Automobiles plc.     robustness and sustainability.                                               immersed in the brand and need to talk to people who are incredibly               that now!

12                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            13
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
NFDA CALLS FOR                                                  MARK GARNIER                                                   FIRST ‘DRIVING INCLUSIVITY IN
     NI DEALERS TO BE                                                MP VISITS ALL                                                  AUTOMOTIVE’ EVENT CHAMPIONS
     ABLE TO CONDUCT                                                 ELECTRIC HYUNDAI                                               DIVERSITY IN THE INDUSTRY
     MOT TESTING                                                     DEALERSHIP
     Following the closure of all                                    Mark Garnier MP visited the All Electric
     MoT test centres and the                                        Hyundai dealership in Kidderminster on
     cancellation of 5,000 MoT tests                                 Tuesday 18 February 2020. The MP met
     in Northern Ireland earlier in January                          with Group Managing Director Jason                             As part of the drive to close the gender gap in the automotive
     and February, NFDA highlighted that                             Pickerill and Chairman John Leek.
                                                                                                                                    industry, Shell Helix Motor Oils sponsored Drive My Career’s
     “it is imperative that the Northern
                                                                                                                                    first networking day for female apprentice technicians.
     Ireland MoT system is reformed to allow
     dealers to conduct the testing”.                                                                                               The first Drive My Career     opportunities of developing     support greater diversity       in promoting diversity in
                                                                                                                                    ‘Female Apprentice            a more diverse workforce in     and inclusion in Industry and   traditionally male-dominated
     In Northern Ireland, unlike in the rest of the UK, MoT tests                                                                   Network’ event was held       the automotive industry. The    beyond’.                        sectors such as engineering
     are carried out at 15 government-run centres. Following an                                                                     on 11 December 2019.          event also gave delegates                                       and automotive, to ensure
     inspection of all vehicle lifts in Northern Ireland’s 15 MoT                                                                   Event delegates from          the chance to hear from         Sue Robinson, Director          there is more parity,
     centres, the Driver and Vehicle Agency (DVA) found ‘signs                                                                      across the UK included        and engage with keynote         of the NFDA said, “It is        inclusion and young talent
     of cracking’ in 48 out of 55 lifts. As a result, about 5,000                                                                   41 female Apprentice          speaker, Laura Taylor,          extremely positive to see       in tomorrow’s workforce.
     MoT tests were immediately cancelled in late January and                                                                       Technicians in the retail     Aftersales Manager for          the automotive industry
     February.                                                                                                                      motor sector, together        Marshall Motor Group, and
                                                                                                                                    with HR professionals         her career journey so far in
     Infrastructure Minister Nichola Mallon said drivers affected                                                                   and representatives           the sector. Representatives
     by MoT test cancellations would be automatically issued                                                                        from a network of car         from Lookers, a dealer
     with temporary exemption certificates, valid for four                                                                          and commercial vehicle        group that played an integral
     months. However, nothing could be done with cars under                                                                         dealerships. They came        role in developing the Drive
     four-year-old that were still due the first MOT.                The visit was coordinated by the NFDA as its Parliamentary
                                                                     Engagement Programme continues to provide franchised           together to share their       My Career network, were
                                                                     dealers with an opportunity to meet their local MP and         industry experiences and      also on hand to share and
                                                                     discuss key issues facing their businesses.                    discuss ways in which         hear experiences with the
                                                                                                                                    to drive greater diversity,
                                                                     Mark Garnier Member of Parliament (MP) for Wyre Forest
                                                                     since 2010, was the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of
                                                                     State at the Department for International Trade from 2016
                                                                     to 2018. He was also a member of the Finance Select
                                                                     Committee from 2015 to 2016 and a member of the
                                                                     Treasury Select Committee from 2010 to 2016.

                                                                     The main themes of discussion included the investments                                                                                                       Sponsoring the first ever
                                                                     put into the dealership and the group’s contributions to the                                                                 join forces to promote          networking event for
                                                                     local and national economy. NFDA reiterated dealers’ views                                                                   and celebrate inclusivity in    female apprentices in the
                                                                     on a series of issues that, at the time, were also included                                                                  the sector, one of the key      automotive industry is an
     NFDA emphasized that MoT had repeatedly been an issue           in the association’s Budget submission, such as the                                                                          goals of Drive My Career. A
     for both motorists and dealers in Northern Ireland, primarily                                                                                                                                                                important step towards
                                                                     importance of protecting the plug-in grant.                                                                                  diverse and representative      addressing the significant
     due to long waiting times. To address the shortage of                                                                                                                                        workforce is a huge benefit
     MoT appointments available, centres have had to open on         The MP and Jason Pickerill discussed the electric vehicle                                                                                                    gender and skills gap
                                                                                                                                                                                                  to automotive retailers,        currently within the industry.”
     Sundays and regularly add extra appointments. This might        market as well as the decline of new diesels despite                                                                         especially in a time when
     have put an additional strain on certain centres’ facilities,   the latest Euro 6d-TEMP diesel vehicles available to the                                                                     our sector is facing
     potentially causing some of the current issues.                 consumer. Clean Air Zones and the relevant policies                                          attendees. In the afternoon,
                                                                                                                                    support career progression    apprentices took part in an     major changes and fast
                                                                     currently being implemented by the Government were also                                                                      developments.”
     Recent problems have made it apparent that it is time to        debated.                                                       and create leadership         exciting off-road experience
     review how MoT tests are carried out in Northern Ireland.                                                                      opportunities for women in    at the JLR Solihull             Britt Burnett, General
     NFDA has called on the Government to enable franchised          Jason Pickerill, All Electric Managing Director, said, “The    the automotive sector.        Experience centre.              Manager Marketing and
     dealers in Northern Ireland to conduct MoTs as in the rest      visit provided an excellent opportunity to discuss the key                                                                   Technical Europe for Shell
     of the UK. We are currently in dialogue with the Northern       issues affecting the automotive retail sector and highlight    Networking sessions           Shell was ‘proud to sponsor
                                                                                                                                    explored the challenges,      such an event as part of        commented, “Shell is
     Ireland Government and we will meet them soon to                the challenges and opportunities facing dealers in key areas                                                                 proud to play a key role
     discuss the issue and outline our position.                     such as the electric vehicle market”.                          misconceptions and            Shell’s broader efforts to

14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  15
VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
Marshall Volvo @MarshallVolvo • Feb 4
                                                                                                                                                                       Callum Parker is Marshall #Volvo #Grantham’s Year 3 Parts #Apprentice. Callum is a
                                                                                                                                                                       massive asset to our parts team and also to the business, and he is able to oversee
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Franchised retailers celebrate apprentices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   with social media takeover
                                                                                                                                                                       many different aspects of the day-to-day running of the dealership’s part operations.
                                                                                                                                                                       #DMCApprenticeTakeover

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Drive My Career members took part in the second ‘Apprentice Takeover’
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   campaign to raise awareness of the multiple apprenticeship opportunities
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in the retail automotive industry on occasion of the National Apprentice
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Week 2020 which took place between 3 and 9 of February.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   As part of the #DMCApprenticeTakeover campaign, Drive My Career members promoted
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   across their social media channels inspiring apprentices’ case studies through stories,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   images and videos.

     Drive My Career
                                                                                                                                                                       Pendragon PLC
                                                                                                                                                                       16,961 followers • 4d •

                                                                                                                                                   Pendragon
                                                                                                                                                      PLC
                                                                                                                                                                       Meet Robert - our CV Service Apprentice at Evans Halshaw Ford Preston.
                                                                                                                                                                       Robert says, “Training blocks at college are great learning opportunities ans I also
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Using the hashtag #DMCApprenticeTakeover the different organisations entered the
                                                                                                                                                                       thoroughly enjoy doing large mechanical jobs, such as pulling out engines. I am confident
                                                                                                                                                                       on all basic categories, and sure I have the skills to do and learn anything I want!”
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   competition. Across social media, posts with the hashtag #DMCApprenticeTakeover had
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   more than 1.5 million impressions and the campaign reached more than 350,000 different

     celebrates two years of success
                                                                                                                                                                       We’re currently recruiting for a Technician Apprentice at Renault Middlesbrough -
                                                                                                                                                                       learn more and apply online > http://socsi.in/ve4ki
                                                                                                                                                                       #NAW2020 #LookBeyond #DMCApprenticeTakeover                                                 users in a week. This was a significant improvement from last year when the campaign
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   reached 200,000 users and had 1 million impressions.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Drive My Career members that took part in the initiative showcasing their apprentices
     Drive My Career was developed by the NFDA in February 2018 as an industry-first employment                                                                                                                                                                    included Marshall Motor Group, JCT 600, TrustFord, Caffyns, Pendragon and Arnold Clark.
     initiative addressing franchised retailers’ concerns that not many young people generally                                                                                                                                                                     For the second consecutive year, Marshall Motor Group was the overall winner as they
     consider the automotive retail sector as an option for their professional careers.                                                                                                                                                                            participated with the accounts of several different dealerships across the UK using multiple
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   social media outlets. This year, they involved Marshall’s CEO Daksh Gupta as well as a
     The initiative uses highly-targeted digital                                                     redirected through Drive My Career to                                                                                                                         number of mentors, service and aftersales managers who shared words of encouragement
                                                                                                                                                                       Marshall Motor Group @MarshallGroup • Feb 5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   for the apprentices. Additionally, 2020 marked 100 years since the Marshall apprenticeship
                                                                                                                                                      Marshall

     marketing campaigns to connect an                                                               retailers’ career pages                        #marshallmoments
                                                                                                                                                                       Over the past 100 years, Marshall has helped 20,000 young people to complete

     audience of 16 to 24 years old potential
                                                                                                                                                                       their #apprenticeships, equipping them for careers within the automotive and
                                                                                                                                                                       engineering sectors. Here’s @MarshallGroup Chief Executive, Daksh Gupta with a few          scheme began and during the week, they also celebrated the launch of their Marshall
                                                                                                                                                                       words regarding our #DMCApprenticeTakeover
                                                                                                    • In December 2019, the first Drive My                                                                                                                        Centre.
     candidates with dealers in their local area.
     These campaigns make young people                                                                 Career Female Apprentice Network,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   JCT600 shared images, quotes and high-quality videos featuring apprentices describing
     aware of the variety of roles available in                                                        sponsored by Shell Helix Motor Oils,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   their journey and the reasons they love their careers in the automotive industry. In particular,
     the industry and the rewarding sides of                                                           took place in Solihull. The event was                                                                                                                       two videos stood out and one of them won the ‘best post’ prize. These featured a total of
     a career in automotive. Through many                                                              attended by 41 female apprentice                                                                                                                            six parts and technician apprentices working at JCT600 Porsche Sheffield and JCT600
     channels, these campaigns challenge the                                                           technicians                                                                                                                                                 Porsche Leeds.
     misconceptions of the automotive sector                                                        Sue Robinson commented, “Drive My                                                                                                                              TrustFord adopted a different strategy and shared engaging content that showed insights
     and promote diversity, inclusivity and
                                                                                                    Career was created as an industry-                                 Brook loves coming to work as he & his colleagues are a ‘little family! He fancies being
                                                                                                                                                                       a Manager one day & after winning both Ford’s Business Support Apprentice of the            not only into the professional but also the personal lives of their apprentices.
     transparency.                                                                                                                                                     Year & TrustFord’s Apprentice of the Year award, we think he’s off to a good start ;)
                                                                                                    first initiative to complement retailers’                          #DMCApprenticeTakeover

                                                                                                    recruitment strategies and support them                                                                                                                        Also, Caffyns, Pendragon and Arnold Clark supported the campaign for the first time.
     In 2019, Drive My Career reached
     2.5 million young people through                                                               in highlighting the exciting elements of a                                                                                                                     Pendragon took it to LinkedIn to celebrate its 328 apprentices through inspiring messages.
     social media. Its main channels of                                                             career in the automotive sector.                                                                                                                               Also, they announced the launch of a brand-new IT apprentice scheme that will see three
     communications included Instagram,                                                                                                                                                                                                                            technical support trainees work alongside experienced Technical Support Consultants.
                                                    covered the apprenticeship opportunities        “It is encouraging and rewarding to see
     Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.
                                                    in the sector, the variety of roles available   the huge numbers of young people that                                                                                                                          Arnold Clark shared the story of Harry Chaundy, Apprentice of the Year 2019 at Arnold
     During the first month of Drive My Career,     across all automotive business areas as         hear about a career in the automotive retail                                                                                                                   Clark’s GTG Training. He competed at World Skills UK and, as he came fourth in his
     the website redirected to dealers’ portals     well as the role of technicians in today’s      industry thanks to Drive My Career on a                                                                                                                        category last year, he will be representing the UK at the Shanghai WorldSkills 2021.
     as many people as it now does in a day.        motor industry. To build engagement with        regular basis.                                                     Marshall Mercedes @MMGMercedesBenz • Feb 6
                                                                                                                                                                       Evie Birkbeck, Year 1 #Apprentice #Technician at #Mercedes-Benz of #Preston is a            Caffyns used Twitter, Instagram and Facebook to share the stories of apprentices who stood
     The traffic to the website has grown from a    its community and raise further awareness                                                                          3-pointed star!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   out, including Jamie, who came second in the Volvo Apprentice of the Year awards.
                                                                                                    “Thanks to the terrific support and regular                        Highly commended @MarshallGroup coveted ‘Apprentice of the Year’ awards, great things
     few hundred users a month to more than         of the automotive industry, Drive My                                                                               are destined for Evie who impresses each and everyday. #DMCApprenticeTakeover

     11,000. People visit the Drive My Career                                                       feedback of our members, we will continue                          #NAW2020
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   The winning apprentices for ‘best overall campaign’ and ‘best post’ received £50 vouchers.
                                                    Career periodically hosts competitions and
     website not only to find the dealerships       quizzes.                                        to promote the automotive retail sector as
     based in their areas but also to learn more                                                    a great place to work and showcase our
     about careers in the automotive retail         Drive My Career has reached several             members as employers of choice”.                                                                                                                                 Search #DMCApprenticeTakeover on Twitter - LinkedIn - Facebook - Instagram
                                                    milestones in 2019, its second year of                                                                                                                                                                                to learn more about the campaign or visit www.drivemycareer.co.uk
     sector.
                                                    operation:
     Drive My Career has run several
     campaigns over the past months. These          • In 2019, Drive My Career’s campaigns                                                                                                                                                                          Marshall BMW
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     @Marshall_BMW
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Porsche Centre Leeds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        @PorscheLeeds
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              TrustFord
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              @TrustFordUK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Caffyns Group @CaffynsGroup • Feb 4
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Introducing Jamie!

                                                       have reached 2.5 million young people                                                                                                                                                                         Introducing Lucy Johnson who has
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     been at Marshall #BMW #Grimsby
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        It’s #NationalApprenticeshipWeek
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        so let’s celebrate our Apprentices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Introducing Becky (and Lola     ) an
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Accounts Apprentice at #Wilmslow. When
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         He came 2nd in the Volvo Apprentice
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         of the Year awards and is continuing his
                                                                                                                                                                       Arnold Clark @ArnoldClark • Feb 7                                                             for two years and last week        with a video highlighting what they   not working, Becky loves to spend time     training to gain Level 3 qualifications. This
                                                       on social media                                                                                                 Meet Harry Chaundy. Not only did he achieve his level 3 Vehicle Technician qualification
                                                                                                                                                                       in 2019, he was voted GTG Apprentice of the Year. He’s competed in World Skills UK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     completed her #Apprenticeship
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     as an Aftersales Advisor.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        get up to day to day. We thank them   with her dog Lola and takes her to Carrs   will lead him to the next step of Master
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        for all the hard work they put in     Park so Lola can splash around in the      Technician qualification.
                                                                                                                                                                       and is now going on to represent the UK at WorldSkills 2021 in Shanghai! #NAW2020                                                whilst learning something new.        water! HOW CUTE IS LOLA?
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     Congratulations Lucy!                                                                                               Keep up the amazing work Jamie!
                                                                                                                                                                       #DMCApprenticeTakeover
                                                    • More than 11,000 users visit the Drive                                                                                                                                                                        #DMCApprenticeTakeover
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     #NAW2020 #marshallmoments
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        #porsche #leeds #yorkshire
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        @JCT600careers @jct600
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              #DMCApprenticeTakeover
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              #NAW2020
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         #NCW2020 #DMCApprenticeTakeover

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        @DriveMyCareer
                                                       My Career website every month

                                                    • There are now more
                                                       than 1,000 dealerships on the dealer-
                                                       finder interactive map

                                                    • Every month, an average
                                                       of 3,000 potential candidates are                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Lucy Freeman - Parts Apprentice

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VOICETHE - THE NATIONAL FRANCHISED DEALERS ...
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