Automotive aftermarket workshops invest in tech and talent

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Four in five (81.2%) automotive aftermarket workshops have invested in training, talent and tooling to carry out servicing and maintenance of the latest vehicle safety and powertrain technology, according to a new survey by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Sustaining such investment will be critical if Britain’s roads are to become ever safer and ever ‘greener’.

The findings come as the SMMT publishes its latest Aftermarket Report, Jobs, Growth, Mobility – What the aftermarket needs to deliver, which explores the sector’s readiness to support increasingly sophisticated and electrified vehicles.

The aftermarket sector is crucial to the British economy, turning over £62.2 billion, contributing £17.1 billion towards UK GDP, and supporting at least 339,000 jobs. A new survey, conducted for the SMMT by Censuswide, has revealed that industry is investing heavily to acquire the skills and facilities to maintain and repair the latest vehicle technology – with more than four in five workshops surveyed (81.2%) equipped to service electric vehicles (EVs) and a further 83.3% of those with these capabilities expecting this spend to increase over the next year.

In addition, 77.6% of respondents are equipped to service and maintain advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) systems, with 83.5% expecting to increase spending on ADAS training and equipment over the next 12 months.

Fifth of all new car registrations
There are an estimated 1.6 million EVs on UK roads, and they are now accounting for more than a fifth (21.9%) of all new car registrations – a proportion that must almost quadruple to 80% of the new car market by 2030 under the Government’s Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, with vehicle manufacturers continuing to invest billions to fulfil this ambition. Meanwhile, eight out of 10 new cars include ADAS such as autonomous emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and adaptive cruise control.

According the SMMT, ensuring there is ample maintenance provision for the millions of new, more sophisticated vehicles reaching the road today will be essential if more drivers are to make the switch to zero-emission motoring while supporting the UK’s robust road safety record. This transition, however, demands significant capital investment – particularly from smaller, often family-run workshops – who must upgrade equipment and upskill staff to keep pace with fast-evolving vehicle technologies.

Providing capital investment relief for these businesses, and unlocking unused apprenticeship levy funding, would help spur investment in the tools and talent the industry will need in the years to come, as well as creating jobs and driving economic growth.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said,: “The UK aftermarket is embracing the future of automotive technology, and investing in the skills and equipment needed to maintain the very latest vehicles to help deliver safe, sustainable mobility for all. With a rapid influx of smarter, zero emission vehicles reaching the road, however, helping businesses invest will be crucial if more drivers are to make the switch while maintaining the UK’s leading road safety record, and creating crucial jobs in every part of the country.”