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LKQ UK and Ireland Responds to General Election Outcome
Kevan Wooden, CEO of LKQ UK and Ireland, welcomes the new government following the general election. He highlights the significance of Labour’s commitment to the 2030 ICE vehicle phase-out, the need for investment in EV skills and equipment, and the importance of fair access to software and codes for independent garages.
“We look forward to a new government bringing a fresh policy perspective in the interest of delivering a sustainable, prosperous future for the independent aftermarket.
Starmer’s plans to restore the 2030 phase-out date for new cars with internal combustion engines (ICE) will have the most immediate impact on the industry. Some in the aftermarket had delayed investment plans for retooling and reskilling, but it will now be imperative for garages to kickstart their transition as to not miss out on electric vehicle (EV) custom.
Labour’s plans to retain the full expensing tax incentive will help to reduce the cost of new equipment for garages. But Starmer’s government could go one step further by including learning and development within full expensing too. Incentivising training will be important to help meet the 2030 deadline, with only 11% of UK mechanics currently qualified to work on EVs.
Kevan Wooden
The industry will want to learn how the EV skills gap can be plugged through Labour’s proposed body Skills England. A blend of automotive skills strategy and private training will be key to meeting the aftermarket’s future talent needs, and we’re well underway expanding the LKQ Academy to support this.
The introduction of a standardised battery health certification scheme for used vehicles under Labour could also represent a new income opportunity for garages, incentivising them further to upskill and retool for servicing plug-in vehicles sooner rather than later. Garages and workshops will eagerly anticipate more details on the scheme.
With a new government, we’ll continue to represent the interests of independent repairers as we help to inform and shape policy alongside our peers in the industry. This will include continued campaigning for fair, shared and secure access to the latest software and access codes – to ensure our customers can complete every job that comes in to the workshop safely and to a high standard. Doing so is key to protecting the 350,000 livelihoods the aftermarket supports, and ultimately to consumers’ ability to choose where they take their vehicles for great quality, great value, local service, maintenance and repair work.”
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Owain joined Volvo Cars in June 2021 to lead Circular Economy in the Global Sustainability Team. The company has committed to being a circular business by 2040 and has financial, recycled content and CO2 based targets for 2025, all of which Owain is working across the company to make happen. Owain previously worked for circular economy consultancy Oakdene Hollins where he advised businesses on evidence led circular economy implementation.
Turning into a circular business and the importance of vehicle reuse and recycling.
The presentation will cover the work Volvo Cars is doing to achieve 2025 but mainly focus on the transformational work towards 2040 and the business and value chain changes being considered. Attention will be paid to the way vehicles are being dealt with at the end of life and the complexities of closing material and component loops. Opportunities and challenges which Volvo Cars is facing will be presented including engagement with 3rd parties and increasing pressure from stakeholders.
e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management [e2e] is the UK’s only salvage and automotive recycling network with nationwide, environmentally compliant sites delivering performance resilience and service reliability to the insurance and fleet markets.The network’s online salvage auction www.salvagemarket.co.uk drives strong salvage resale values and faster sales.e2e’s salvage clients have access to the network’s stocks of over 5 million quality graded, warranty assured reclaimed parts.
The power of the network model means e2e has the ability to influence industry standards and is committed to continually raising the bar whilst redefining the role and perceived value of the salvage operator.Network members adhere to robust service level agreements, against which they are audited, in order to ensure performance consistency and a market leading customer experience.
The salvage and recycling operating environment is evolving rapidly, and e2e is anticipating, listening and responding to changing market needs.Regulatory compliance, ESG, reclaimed parts, customer experience, EVs, new vehicle technologies, data and reputation risk are just some of many considerations linked to the procurement of salvage services.e2e will drive further added value to clients and members through the adoption and application of emerging technologies, continuing to differentiate its proposition and position salvage services as a professional partnership.