Error parsing XSLT file: \xslt\FacebookOpenGraph.xslt VRA warns Honda plant shutdown could be sign of things to come
Cookies on Businesscar

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue without changing your settings, we will assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on the Business Car website. However, if you would like to, you can change your cookies at any time

BusinessCar magazine website email Awards mobile

The start point for the best source of fleet information

VRA warns Honda plant shutdown could be sign of things to come

Date: 15 January 2021   |   Author: Sean Keywood

A temporary closure of Honda's Swindon car factory due to a parts shortage could be the tip of the iceberg for new car supply issues in 2021, according to the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA).

Honda has said that some production activities will not run between 18 and 21 January due to Covid-related global supply issues, and that the situation is being monitored with a view to restarting production on 22 January.

VRA chair Philip Nothard said the problem was believed to be caused by poor availability of semiconductors, and that this was potentially a sign of things to come from all manufacturers.

He said: "Car manufacturing is based on incredibly complex and geographically diverse supply chains all clicking perfectly into place at the right time. Any disruption to those processes can bring the production line grinding to a halt.

"Several manufacturers worldwide, certainly not just Honda, are reportedly having issues with semiconductor supply as a knock-on effect of the pandemic but our concern is that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

"While there is new car stock in the pipeline, there is a strong argument that we are only now really starting to see the impact of the coronavirus crisis on supply and it could be that we will see a range of other problems throughout the year.

"The positive effects of vaccination programmes globally will probably not be felt until the second half of the year and there is potential for all kinds of lockdown disruptions across the world to affect car making."

In addition, Nothard said that the picture for UK manufacturing was being complicated by Brexit, and the related bedding-in of new import and export arrangements.

He said: "We're obviously very pleased to see some form of trade deal in place, it is much preferable to no deal, but the whole thing was very last minute and many of the practicalities are being sorted out in real time, which is not ideal. Everyone is aware of issues with queues at major ports and shortages of shipping containers.

"Again, this could have an impact on new car supply and again, the situation will probably only become apparent over the course of the year."

Nothard added that reductions of new car sales of these kinds tended to have a knock-on effect on the remarketing sector in years to come.

"This is unlikely to affect the used car market in the short term but it does certainly mean that there will be fewer vehicles available in the future. 

"On top of vastly reduced new car sales in 2020, another quiet year in 2021 would mean a dramatic fall in availability within the used sector in the future.

"Normally, this will lead to a rise in values and general difficulties with traders and consumers getting hold of the vehicles they want at the prices they are willing to pay. Market disruption of this kind is very undesirable."

 



Share


Subscribe