Reflections on the British Motor Show

It was great to meet and reconnect with so many friends, associates, and, most importantly, IMI members at the British Motor Show this month – including many who’d wisely taken advantage of the free ticket offer for IMI members!

It was an interesting time to hold this iconic event. Attendance was excellent, exceeding many people’s expectations – the Brits do love their vehicles! – and there were plenty of new models and exciting technologies on show. I particularly liked having the opportunity to take a close look at the latest EV offerings from various manufacturers, which shared the same Hall space as the IMI Tech Theatre.

Electrification was of course the hot topic. The IMI released our new survey findings of the chronic shortage of EV-qualified technicians and the impact this could have on the transition to EVs post-2030. I was able to communicate the message in the presence of Ranil Jayawardena, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State that the UK government needs to invest £15m to develop a further 75,000 EV-qualified technicians. I was talking from the same stage as the Minister on National Automotive Industry Day, which the IMI sponsored. We also got a lot of media pick-up for this research including this piece in Motor Trader. 

You can read the full survey results and analysis, called ‘EV Revolution, Interrupted’, in your next edition of member magazine MotorPro, which is out soon. 

All in all, a very productive week, and it’s great to feel the positive energy of engaging directly with people again in this exciting sector. 

As always, if you have any questions you need answering we’re always here, please get in touch on +44 (0)1992 519025, or send an email to hello@theimi.org.uk. 

Keep safe, stay in touch, 

Steve