Car showrooms across England and Wales have opened their doors once again today as lockdown restrictions ease further.
Along with all retail, car dealers have been closed since the beginning of this year to curb the spread of coronavirus, but as rates reduce, they are now able to reopen from today, April 12.
Though car dealers have been able to operate with ‘click and collect’ and home deliveries, no face-to-face visits inside a showroom have been allowed, and there has also been a grey area around test drives, too.
Yet car buyers looking to get the full experience will now be able to, though Covid-19 protocols and social distancing must be maintained.
The news has unsurprisingly been welcomed by the automotive industry, which has been calling to reopen for some time.
Mike Hawes, chief executive of trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said: “It’s been a long wait but automotive retailers are ready, willing and able to welcome customers back into showrooms.
“While “click and collect” has helped the sector survive, it cannot replace the experience of choosing and test driving a new car in person. Reopening these premises will also boost UK car manufacturing, as the reduced demand caused by their closure has led to months of lower production.
“Consumers returning to showrooms will notice some changes, not just in the updated Covid safety measures, but also in the increasing choice of new car technologies and there are now more “green” choices than ever before. With 150 models of battery electric, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and hybrid electric vehicles on sale, that’s one in three models capable of zero emission motoring."
Car showrooms have been open in Scotland since last week, and though those in Northern Ireland will remain closed for the time being, but ‘click and collect’ and outdoor trading is permitted there from April 12.
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