Matthew Johnson

The wider comment on raising the MOT test fee is that the automotive aftermarket is changing rapidly and challenging outdated perceptions, thereby resetting its contract with the motorist. An increase would further support the role the sector plays in keeping the UK motoring public and millions of businesses moving on daily basis. #automotive #mot #aftermarket #motoring

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“The UK Auto Industry Faces an Existential Threat” Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the SMMT, who delivered in a stark and sobering industry address at the 2025 SMMT Test Day yesterday. In his presentation, Hawes laid bare the immense pressure facing the UK’s automotive sector - from the fallout of Trump’s tariffs slamming the brakes on US-bound exports, to the unsustainable cost of forcing EV adoption (£4.5 billion spent in one year just to boost demand by 7.5%!), to outdated taxation rules now actively penalising electric vehicle buyers. He also tackled myths about EVs head-on (“No, they won’t make your hair fall out!”) and pointed to a policy landscape that’s misaligned with reality. His message was clear: The industry cannot do this alone. 👉 Watch the video on my channel now. 📊 If you're in automotive, transport policy, or clean tech — this is essential viewing. 💬 I'd love to hear your thoughts: Are we asking too much, too quickly from UK carmakers? Or is this disruption necessary to meet climate goals? #UKAutoIndustry #EVTransition #ElectricVehicles #AutomotiveLeadership #SMMT #MikeHawes #UKManufacturing #CleanTransport #MotoringCrisis #PolicyChange #AutoExports #Tariffs #NetZero #BrownCarGuy #LinkedInAuto

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Attention Dealer Principles & Fleet Managers. We know "Retail" is naturally defensive by design. Responds to enquiries, foot traffic and inbound demand and very visible part of the business. The challenge we hear in dealership fleet departments is: Most of the time is consumed by inbound quote requests and operational demands, which leaves little space for the strategic conversations that actually drive long term growth. This article goes into what we’ve seen when dealerships flet departments go on the offensive and treat external partners and platforms as part of a broader growth strategy. https://lnkd.in/gkYg2bPp

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MG Motor UK is strengthening courtesy car vehicle cover for its UK customers. Backed by the AA and Switch Car Rental, drivers with an MG Assistance breakdown policy will automatically be supported with a like-for-like MG until their own vehicle is back on the road. MG Assistance will also extend beyond support at the roadside. #MGMotorUK https://lnkd.in/eUeDpwYX

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Performance Pit Stops I am pleased to share the 2nd in a mini series of dealership best practice after sales videos that I have put together for RWA Automotive. RWA work with dealers to make them more profitable. They identify profit leakage areas and then put in place counter measure’s to stop/reduce the leakage which results in efficiency gains that lead to improved margins and happy clients. #performancepitstops

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Independent Garage Association urges Automotive Businesses to act now ahead of SERMI rollout. SERMI is set to transform the way security-related vehicle data is accessed, ensuring that a wide range of independent professionals, not only garages, can compete on equal terms with franchised dealerships. Read more here https://lnkd.in/exxcAqzU #sermi⁠ #independentgarages

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RMA Automotive conversions provide Toyota Quantum with full-time 4WD functionality. In a significant development for the local automotive conversion industry, RMA Automotive has extended its range of vehicle conversion solutions to include the Toyota Quantum all-wheel drive (4WD) conversion kit. Read the full article in Engineering News: https://lnkd.in/dxA2Y8DM

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The confirmation of ATS Euromaster branch closures has understandably prompted discussion across the aftermarket. While individual restructures have their own commercial context, they also highlight a broader reality: our sector is operating in sustained structural change. Rising costs, evolving vehicle technology and increasing compliance expectations are reshaping operating models. At the same time, the skills shortage remains - with technician vacancies still taking weeks to fill. Resilience today isn’t built through reaction. It’s built through preparation: structured workforce planning, continuous skills investment and operational systems that provide clarity and control. The headlines may focus on one organisation. The real conversation for our industry is about long-term preparedness. Change is inevitable. Stability is engineered. Autotech Recruit Autotech Training Autotech Connect #automotiveindustry #motortrade #vehicletechnicians #mottesters

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Buyers value honesty and no-pressure sales highest, MOTORS finds 31% of car buyers said the most important factor when visiting a dealership was that the staff were honest about issues or imperfections. https://lnkd.in/eq4dFnG2 #CarBuying #CustomerExperience #HonestSales #AutomotiveInsights

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[NEWS] BMW’s CEO isn’t sweating auto tariffs: “I think this tariff discussion is way exaggerated,” Oliver Zipse said this week. “What’s more important is the question—are the products attractive?” Despite a 2-point hit to Q2 margins and a 32% drop in profit… BMW’s holding firm on its guidance and downplaying the long-term impact. The strategy: rely on product strength and U.S. production flexibility to ride it out. And Spartanburg, BMW’s largest plant globally, is key to the plan. Half of the cars built there are exported, and Trump’s rebates for U.S. manufacturing help cushion the tariff blow. So, BMW is moving ahead with an aggressive launch cycle—40 new models by 2027, across gas, hybrid, and electric. The bet: Tariffs may dent short-term margins, but great product still moves metal. Read today’s top automotive stories, presented by Haig Partners: https://lnkd.in/eF7dvtmQ (Data source: BMW via Financial Times)

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Dealer Auction has extended its remarketing partnership MG Motor UK Ltd with a two-year contract. Read more here: https://ow.ly/jMo350WiVjw #DealerAuction #MGMotorUK #AutomotiveIndustry #AutoSales

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When Excel runs the dealership, visibility becomes optional. Many UK dealer groups still rebuild OEM reports manually. Exports. Spreadsheets. Version confusion. Last-minute reconciliations. That’s not control. It’s operational risk. Sales Partner centralises sales, stock, finance and aftersales into one unified system — with live KPI dashboards and built-in approval workflows. No parallel spreadsheets. No shadow reporting. No blind spots. 👉 Book a live demo and see how reporting should actually work. #AutomotiveUK #DealerManagement #OEMReporting #DigitalDealership #SalesPartner #AutomotiveRetail

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