23 March 2020

UPDATE 18.20, 23 March: Several large auto retail groups, including Arnold Clark, Lookers, Marshalls and Sytner, and several smaller dealers are expected to close for new and used car sales in the coming days, Auto Retail Agenda has learnt.

The groups are planning the moves to safeguard staff and customers from the spread of Covid-19. Auto Retail Agenda understands most aftersales operations will be kept open to help keep key workers’ cars running.

A document seen by this publication shows that at least one group is planning to utilise the Government’s Job Retention Scheme announced on Friday evening.

One group Auto Retail Agenda spoke to said it was planning to make sure it kept in touch with staff through its aftersales operation and that it would keep its online sales business running.

Lookers has reported to the Stock Exchange that it is working in conjunction with its suppliers and manufacturer partners and is being supported with “various measures of financial and other support” as it navigates the current issues.

Marshall Motors has also issued a stock market statement about showroom closures and added: “As well as retailing vehicles, the Group also provides vital public-interest aftersales services. These include breakdown, repair and servicing for emergency service vehicles, commercial vehicles that make vital deliveries to shops, the UK’s key workers such as those in the NHS and other critical support services for the country and vulnerable people. The Group wants to continue to provide those vital aftersales services to those categories of customer throughout this temporary shutdown and is putting in place measures to do so where possible.”

The Marshall statement also stated: “The board believes the group has the financial capacity to withstand the impact of a closure of its sites well beyond the end of June 2020.”

* Auto Retail Network will continue to provide help, guidance and business-critical information throughout the current situation. Follow us @AutoRetail for the latest updates and announcements.

Tags: Coronavirus, Covid-19, showroom closures