Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI supports the calls from the trade bodies for car showrooms to remain open

Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI supports the calls from the trade bodies for car showrooms to remain open

“Private vehicles, as well as those used by trades people and those working in the logistics sector, are vital to keep essential services and those supporting the more vulnerable moving during the upcoming lockdown in England. Ensuring individuals and businesses have access to the necessary services to support their vehicles – from repairs, MOT and servicing to vehicle sales – is crucial. It’s hard to understand, therefore, why car showrooms should be excluded from the ‘essential services’ list in the lockdown due to start later this week.

“Motor retailers have already taken extraordinary measures, even compared to other retailers, to truly isolate customers from risk. That includes the extensive physical measures in showrooms, but also such steps as deep cleaning of vehicles and unaccompanied test drives. Similar measures also exist in service departments, where there is no direct physical contact between customers and staff and, again, cars are extensively cleaned and sterilised before and after any work is undertaken as well as payments handled remotely or contact free.

“With the Chancellor encouraging manufacturing to remain operational it seems illogical to remove the channels through which those vehicles manufactured can be sold. And that, in turn, means a whole swathe of individuals and businesses who might face a further loss in income which will simply add more pressure to government finances. 

“The IMI therefore strongly supports the calls from the NFDA and SMMT for government to rethink its categorisation of businesses able to remain open during the lockdown and include car showrooms.”