THE motor industry in Scotland and across the UK has responded robustly to the coronavirus crisis.
While the Government lockdown means showrooms have closed their doors, dealers are ensuring that potential buyers can still go online to find their dream machines.
The nation’s leading motoring retailers were also swift to listen to ministers and send staff home to safeguard their wellbeing. That came after they had already introduced social distancing measures to protect employees and customers.
And a number of automotive outfits have stepped up to the plate to ensure key workers can travel safely to work by continuing to offer help with repairs, maintenance and vehicle leasing. Some companies are offering discounts to NHS staff and other vital workers as part of that effort to keep them on the road.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency also relieved the pressure earlier this week by announcing that cars, vans and motorcycles due their MOT from Monday will have it extended by six months.
This will allow vehicle owners to continue to be able to get to work where it absolutely cannot be done from home or do essential shopping.
Dealers’ commitment to keep websites working as normal means it is still possible for customers to check out a vast array of new and second-hand cars from the comfort of their homes.
And many retailers have experts on hand with whom you can discuss the details either over the phone or via an online chat. So motorists will still be able to drive around in a new pride and joy when things return to normal.
Arnold Clark, for example, is working to enhance the online experience even further, and customers can still create a tailored finance package through the motoring giant’s Deal Builder tool. Its internet sales and customer services teams remain operational from home to handle client inquiries.
The large dealer has also identified 400 vehicles and 120 nine-seater minibuses that will be made available to frontline NHS employees who need them. The vehicles will be managed and repaired by volunteer employees and the company says it is overwhelmed by the willingness of staff to help.
Park’s Motor Group is keeping a select number of aftersales departments open to help key workers in Aberdeen, Ayr, East Kilbride, Glasgow, Hamilton, Hillington, Inverness, Perth and Stirling. The company has also continued to work on a number of emergency response vehicles during the week.
Macklin Motors boss Robert Forrester has pledged that the company will provide whatever assistance it can to keep vehicles for key workers and vital services on the road from Monday. It also hopes to support vulnerable customers who rely on their vehicles for food collection.
Glasgow-based online finance firm CarMoney and sister company SilverBullet, which provides a web-based car-buying service for dealers big and small, say they’ve seen a surge of interest in the last week.
The British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association said it was doing its bit to help keep the country running – providing vehicles for the police, NHS, food distributors and many more.
Chief executive Gerry Keaney said: “Tens of thousands of rental vehicles across the UK are helping to keep our infrastructure running, food stores stocked and families safe and well.”
Major servicing and repair group Kwik Fit said it was operating as normally as possible and motorists with concerns over potential damage totheir cars could visit its centres.
Fixter, the UK’s first end-to-end online car maintenance service provider, is offering Government-defined “key workers” a special £10 discount on their car maintenance, along with free collection and delivery.
Major breakdown services such as the AA and RAC have said they will continue to assist those who need to take to the roads who then suffer a breakdown – with measures in place to protect the wellbeing of customers and staff.
Manufacturers have also been offering support to those engaged in tackling the crisis. MG is supplying up to 100 ZS all-electric SUVs free of charge to NHS agencies across the UK for up to six months to help staff get about.
Meanwhile, specialist Classic Car Auctions is overcoming the COVID-19 challenge by holding its first virtual sale starting on Saturday and running for 16 days – and among the lots for sale is a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 500E from funnyman Rowan Atkinson.
Going for a drive other than for essential shopping, commuting, the school run, taking a child to a separated/divorced parent and medical/care needs is off the table.
Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist pointed out that possible accidents as a result of unnecessary journeys would put additional strain on an already overstretched NHS.
And well-known automotive TV presenter Quentin Willson has taken to social media to warn that fuel pump handles were becoming significant in the spread of the virus. He urged those visiting fuel stations to wear gloves or use paper towels when filling up and then discard them immediately.
Arnold Clark chief executive Eddie Hawthorne summed up the crisis, saying: “We are living in truly unprecedented times, not just within the motor industry but globally.”
He continued: “As we move into this uncharted territory, our focus remains on our employees, our customers and the communities in which we operate across the UK. As we look towards the future, we are hopeful for the safety of our communities and optimistic about the future of the industry.”
