• Car Dealer Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
No Result
View All Result

NFDA on Brexit: We’re taking steps to help – and to safeguard our stability

Car Dealer Magazine by Car Dealer Magazine
October 23, 2019
0
Home News

by Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK

THE United Kingdom is only a few days away from its planned departure from the European Union. The legal and political reality is that the new government under prime minister Boris Johnson will take the UK out of the EU on October 31, with or without a deal.

The current climate of uncertainty has been affecting businesses and consumers for several months.

Whilst a ‘no-deal’ Brexit has always 
been the NFDA’s least favourite outcome of the 
Brexit negotiations, we have repeatedly encouraged dealers to plan for any scenario resulting from Brexit.

There are about 4,500 automotive franchised retail sites in the UK whom we now urge to take very seriously the idea that a ‘no-deal’ Brexit is fast approaching. Businesses must take the necessary steps to mitigate the potential threats associated with this outcome.

If the UK leaves without a deal, it will immediately shift to trading under the World Trade Organisation framework. Trading on these terms is likely to involve tariffs on imports and exports, an increased regulatory burden for businesses and delays to the delivery of vehicle stock and parts.

To support dealers during this phase of transition, we have launched a dedicated NFDA Brexit helpdesk, Brexit dealer-focused guidance plus a Brexit online portal, and we will hold a Brexit no-deal dealer guidance forum in Belfast on Wednesday, October 30.

The guidance documents include a list of key questions, compiled by research body ICDP, for franchised dealers to ask of their manufacturer partners, suppliers and themselves.

These questions will support franchised dealers in assessing the risks to their business by seeking assurance and guidance from their manufacturers. Additionally, the NFDA’s retained solicitors have prepared guidance documents on specific issues such as trade and tariffs, customs and deliveries and finance.

The retail automotive industry provides employment for about 555,000 people, and with an annual turnover of £200 billion, it is vital that the stability of our sector is safeguarded.

Over the past two years, the NFDA has been running a Parliamentary Engagement Programme to raise awareness of the key contributions our industry makes to the local and national economy.

Under the programme, we invite MPs and Parliamentarians to visit the dealership in their constituency to gain a better insight into our industry. We will continue to engage with relevant Members of Parliament to ensure that the franchised dealers’ voice is heard.

In December, our ‘Prepare for 2020’ round of regional meetings will be taking place across the country. The potential implications of Brexit as well as the likely post-Brexit regulatory environment, with a focus on any changes affecting dealers, will be at the top of our agenda. We advise our members to attend this extremely important series of meetings.

Additionally, to continue to best represent our franchised retailer members’ interests not only in the UK but also at a European level, we have joined forces with a number of European counterparts to form the Alliance of European Car Dealers and Repairers (AECDR).

AECDR has already contributed to the European Commission’s consultation aimed at evaluating the Vertical Block Exemption Regulation and will be lobbying for a new Vertical Block Exemption Regulation including supplementary guidelines. Going forward, AECDR will be engaging with MEPs, EC officials and other relevant stakeholders.

The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) is the voice of automotive retailers and we will continue to work closely with our franchised dealer members to support them after the UK’s departure from the European Union.

Related Posts

Porsche Bournemouth street scene
News

Inchcape reveals look of Destination Porsche Centre Bournemouth as success of current showroom prompts move

March 5, 2021
Aylesbury Crown Court, Sep 2019, via PA
News

Rogue car dealer avoids jail after racking up nearly £190,000 in fraudulent sales

March 5, 2021
Vertu Motors boss Robert Forrester
News

Clever technology helped Vertu Motors sell 6,500 used cars in February despite dealership doors being shut

March 5, 2021
Do It 4 Ben – Breakout For Ben
News

Breakout for Ben virtual challenge raises £159,000 towards £1m funding gap

March 5, 2021
VW ID.3
News

There’s something in the air – Volkswagen’s electric ID cars to get updates online

March 5, 2021
Reading Crown Court, via PA, Nov 2020
News

Prestige dealership owner and wife must fork out nearly £60,000 for wrecking listed mansion

March 5, 2021

Want the latest news?

Sign up to Car Dealer's daily news email updates

Subscribe
How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed
News

How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed

February 24, 2021
Used Car Awards with Mike Brewer and James Baggott graphi
News

Who won what at the Used Car Awards 2020? Mike Brewer reveals our winning car dealers

February 11, 2021
Car Dealer issue 156 front cover and Used Car Awards
Online Magazine

Out now: Car Dealer issue 156 features our Used Car Awards, H.R. Owen CEO Ken Choo and lots more

February 23, 2021
Used car market stronger than ever as August sees sales up by nearly 50 per cent for Big Motoring World
News

Opinion: Here are 10 reasons why I think there’ll be a rapid recovery in car sales when lockdown ends

February 16, 2021
Trophy Cars forecourt
News

Investigation: Meet the hyper-specialist car dealers making their money from weird and wonderful motors

February 11, 2021
Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice
News

Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice

January 15, 2021
Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK
Car Dealer Top 100

Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK

February 10, 2021
Bitcoin ATM terminal
News

Will car dealers in the UK accept Bitcoin for payment? Dealers speak out after Tesla plans to accept cryptocurrency 

February 18, 2021
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
Call us: 020 8125 3880

© 2020 Blackball Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Car Dealer Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards 2020
  • Used Car Awards 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100

© 2020 Blackball Media

Log In
Register
Register
Server 1