ICDP opens survey to industry

ICDP opens survey to industry

An ongoing survey of the independent European aftermarket has found that a number of trends are threatening the industry, and have resulted in a decline in yearly repairs and maintenance work of nearly 10% in the UK.

Undertaken by ICDP, the research has found that threats to the market include uncertain growth in the new car market; changes in powertrain mixes; a reduction in the distances driven by cars; improved reliability of vehicles; and new technologies reducing accidents and wear and tear.

In the UK this has resulted in the average number of repair and maintenance operations per car down to 1.27 operations per year. Modelling by ICDP sees this declining by a further 12%, down to 1.11 operations per car per year by 2030, and driven strongly by the trends listed above.

On the crash repair side, the forecast decline in the number of repairs by 2030 will be even more extreme, with an 18% drop in the total number of repairs, which will hit 'heavy damage' repairs the hardest.

At the same time, there will be increased cost and complexity for repairs. The same sensors and technology which help reduce accidents will drive up the number of parts which will be replaced rather than repaired. They will also have complex calibration methods which will need to be completed before the repair is signed off.

New materials, multi-material structures, and changing repair methods will provide additional challenges, and underlying all of this will be the threat of legal challenges. All of these will combine to put significant pressure on independent bodyshops, and independent parts distributors.

To help understand the trends driving these changes, and planned actions to tackle these challenges, ICDP is running a survey of repairers and bodyshops across Europe.

To have your voice heard, and have the opportunity to win a £250 Amazon voucher (Ts & Cs apply), complete the survey at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/XDWH3NZ