Editor's note

Welcome to the first online edition of Motor Finance.

In the latest Covid-19 briefing, prime minster Boris Johnson set out the government’s roadmap for the easing of lockdown restrictions in England. In short, motor dealerships will have to wait to 12 April before they can open their doors, while all restrictions are due to be lifted by 21 June at the earliest.

In Scotland, new guidance has confirmed that “accessing the showroom to conclude he purchasing of the vehicle would be permissible at this time using an appointment system to manage customer numbers to as few in the showroom at any given time”.

Perhaps in the coming weeks – if all goes well with dealerships being open in Scotland – Johnson may rethink the government’s position on dealerships in England, following a similar timeline to last year when dealerships were allowed to open two weeks prior to the rest of non-essential retail stores.

In other news, one thing I’ve certainly noticed since the start of the year is the growing volume of EV-based stories that are being sent through to us.

Sales of electric vehicles continue to gain a greater market share, while companies across the automotive industry are unveiling their electric strategies in the face of the UK government’s recent 2030 EV commitment.

In recent weeks, we have seen Jaguar Land Rover, Ford, Volvo and Volkswagen double down on their electric propositions, with promises of full EV line-ups as soon as 2025. Volkswagen has also confirmed that it will be overhauling its Wolfsburg plant – the largest auto factory in the world – to build its range of ID-branded electric vehicles.

Despite the increased investment, concerns still remain over the infrastructure in place to support the switch to electric.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, recently stated that there is a rapid need for more charging points in the UK. “An electric vehicle revolution will need the home and workplace installations, but also a massive increase in on-street public charging and rapid charge points on our strategic road network. This will give drivers the confidence that recharging will become as easy as refuelling.”

Christopher Lemmon , Editor