Donie Dillane, MD of Top Part Group, has issued a series of suggestions, designed to get the aftermarket moving again, as it emerges from the Covid-19 crisis over the coming months. These suggestions have been compiled using input from a broad range of companies and individuals in the Irish automotive aftermarket.

After praising the efforts of frontline and essential workers and the country’s leadership, Donie states that it is essential that the automotive industry (which accounts for 40,000 plus jobs in Ireland), is provided with the necessary support to recover quickly and to this end he has suggested the following;

- An immediate restoration of all NCT and VTN testing, within social distancing recommendations. This will ensure vehicle safety and environmental standards are restored and will provide a lifeline for garages.

- A reduction on the VAT element of vehicle servicing and repair, to allow for legitimate repair shops to compete with the resurgence of the black economy, due to the higher levels of unemployment.   

- Well structured return to work and apprenticeship support schemes alongside the promotion of training and upskilling across the industry.

- Redundancy support scheme that might allow businesses to downsize rather than liquidate.

- A more equitable distribution of body repair work by insurance companies.

- Investigation of a long term licensing programme for garages, to maintain standards and allow legitimate operators to prosper.

- Full compulsory checking of all used vehicle imports.  

- Additional public awareness of motorist rights in relation to free choice of repairer.

Donie also points out that calls for the introduction of a new government scrappage scheme, need to be very carefully considered. This would have limited, or perhaps negative environmental benefits, effectively taking sound cars off the road, would impact vehicle values, has the potential to created unneeded personal debt and offers no overall advantage to the Exchequer.

Donie has called on all stakeholders in the industry to carefully consider these suggestions and make their own views known on relaunching the industry after lockdown.