In the dynamic world of the automotive industry, April was marked by a flurry of activities, progress, and initiatives across various sectors. As a comprehensive update for NFDA members, here's a detailed summary of the notable events that occurred throughout the month.
NFDA Engagement
The month kicked off with the NFDA helping to facilitate the visit of Justin Madders MP to M53 Ford at their Ellesmere Port dealership in his constituency. The visit came at a crucial time for the industry as we edge ever closer to a general election. Over the past few years, NFDA has helped to organise similar meetings in which several Parliamentarians have met with franchised dealers in their constituencies. The NFDA will continue to do so in the run up to the election and beyond.
The month continued with the latest Dealer Attitude Survey (DAS) being released on April 8. The DAS surveyed franchised dealers on various topics surrounding the ongoing business relationship with their respective manufacturers. The survey garnered 2,321 responses from 32 franchised networks. In this edition, MINI and KIA were crowned joint winners. As always, the DAS provides crucial insight into dealer sentiments and perspectives on manufacturers.
NFDA-NI members hosted a roundtable on April 10, at the Culloden Estate in Belfast. The meeting brought together prominent figures from Northern Ireland (NI), including MLAs, MPs, various associations, and chargepoint operators. The roundtable focused on the ongoing MOT testing backlog as well as electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Conversations were insightful for all parties, with NFDA-NI’s continuing to push for an MOT model that works for consumers and dealers whilst ensuring the region does not get left behind during the transition to electric.
April also saw the release of the Spring 2024 edition of The Voice, our quarterly magazine. This edition was once again packed with valuable information for members surrounding all the different work the various NFDA organisations have been undertaking. Also included was an interview with Steven Eagell, CEO of Steven Eagell Group.
NFDA will also be concluding the month by meeting with Navendu Mishra MP at a local dealership in his constituency of Stockport to discuss issues currently affecting the automotive industry.
As the month rounds down the NFDA has been busy preparing for this year’s Spring Ball. The event will be held on tomorrow at the incredible Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire and will bring together dealers, manufacturers, and senior automotive stakeholders for an evening of fine dining, entertainment, and networking.
UK Government
In a month that saw unemployment rise, inflation fall, and Rishi Sunak vow to change the “sick note culture” the automotive industry saw relatively little from the UK government. The month started with a frontbench reshuffle, as Kevin Hollinrake MP was named Minister of State in the Department for Business and Trade. Alan Mak MP was also named Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Business and Trade and Cabinet Office.
Following the Easter Parliamentary recess, Parliament reconvened on April 15. Shortly after, on April 17, the government initiated the latest round of its Transport Research and Innovation Grant (TRIG), offering organisations and academics the chance to secure up to £45,000 in funding. Administered by Connected Places Catapult, the TRIG program supports early-stage research initiatives aimed at improving transportation nationwide and boosting employment opportunities in the UK, in line with the government’s economic growth strategy.
Following this announcement, the government provided a disappointing response to the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee’s report, ‘EV Strategy: Rapid Recharge Needed.’ The report highlighted the shortage of charging points and proposed solutions like incentives for EV adoption and equalising VAT between public and domestic charging. However, the government disagreed with these proposals, citing past grant ineffectiveness and fiscal concerns regarding VAT equalisation. The disappointing response reflects the government’s dismissal of wide calls from the automotive industry for the introduction of these measures, as noted by the NFDA.
European Union
The month of April saw some significant updates for the European Union’s automotive industry. On April 12 the Council of the EU adopted Euro 7 regulations, putting into place new rules on emission limits for cars, vans, and trucks, aiming to lower air pollutant emissions from exhaust fumes and brakes. The new regulation also establishes stricter lifetime requirements.
At the same time as Euro 7 was adopted truck and bus CEOs came together to escalate their call to European policy makers with a manifesto for getting zero-emission trucks and buses on Europe’s roads. In this, the CEOs emphasised that mere targets aren’t sufficient and concrete conditions are needed to meet ambitious goals. They noted the lack of suitable charging infrastructure and inadequate incentive schemes, hindering the transition to zero-emission vehicles.
The adoption of Euro 7 and the launch of a truck and bus manifesto from European CEOs was followed six days later, on April 18, by the news that EV registrations in the EU had significantly contracted by -5.2% in March. This suggests that the transition to zero-emissions in the EU may be flatlining, highlighting that more needs to be done if the targets that Europe, and for that matter the UK, set out, are to even come close to being reached.
