Q: What are the challenges faced by the members of the Auto Care Association during the COVID-19 induced scenario?

Hanvey: While our association’s Government Affairs team was able to successfully lobby and petition all levels of Government here in the United States to categorise our industry as “essential,” which allowed our members to continue operating their businesses, there are still a number of challenges facing our members right now. The overall decline in Vehicle Miles Travelled by Americans we saw in March/April this year has had an impact on the demand for parts and services in the aftermarket.

Additionally, all businesses—not just auto care industry businesses—have to navigate continuously changing health and safety regulations, a bureaucratic process for receiving emergency relief or stimulus funding, figuring out how to pay back emergency Government loans, and the increased potential for lawsuits if a customer or employee becomes ill.

Despite these challenges facing our industry, we’ve seen some positive trends in the aftermarket since the spring, including a rise in Vehicle Miles Travelled, an increase in the forecasted sales of light vehicles, and an increase in Do-It-Yourself (DIY) activity.

Q: What are the leanings for Auto Care Association from the COVID- 19-induced new normal and how it supported its members during this time?

Hanvey: As an association, we remain optimistic, despite the obstacles our industry has been facing. We’ve been fighting for our members on all fronts, including providing a dedicated and comprehensive Coronavirus resources webpage, lobbying all levels of Government for “essential” status, assisting members with navigating Government regulations and loans, as well as surveying members and tracking industry trends to keep both our association and our members informed on the latest developments in this battle with COVID-19 on our industry and our country.

Q: How has the ‘Be Car Care Aware’ campaign helped during COVID-19?

Hanvey: The Car Care Council has continued to inform and instruct vehicle owners on how to maintain their vehicles during COVID-19, even if their cars are spending more time in their driveways than on highways.

Q: What kind of role does the Auto Care Association play when the geopolitical imbroglio between different nations erupt leading to changes in the tariff, affecting the business of your members?

Hanvey: The Auto Care Association’s priority is and will always be the protection of our members and our industry’s future. Our Government Affairs team works year-round to defend the interests of our members, whether it’s for vehicle data access in Massachusetts or testifying before Congress about the impact of tariffs on complex global supply chains. We, as an association, also work extensively to facilitate meetings between our members and their congressional representatives to form meaningful relationships that can result in the prioritisation of our industry’s needs. We also work with our sister associations in-country to further demonstrate the impact of tariffs on multiple economies and get those messages to lawmakers.

Q: Can you update on the issues related to tariffs and their implications?

Hanvey: Our association continues to engage with the United States Government to seek means of relief for our members and industry from the negative impact of tariffs. We have been able to assist many of our members with obtaining exemptions from some of these burdensome tariffs, but we will continue engaging with the Government on this issue until the elimination of these tariffs is achieved.

Q: How do you see the growth of the US aftermarket vis-à-vis the global aftermarket industry?

Hanvey: Despite COVID impacts, forecasts for GDP growth in other countries for 2021 and 2022 show countries emerging from the pandemic and returning to positive growth, according to IHS Markit. Demand was improving for light vehicles as much of the world reopened, but of course, with new closures happening as a “second wave” permeates, that could obviously be affected. In the US, August sales were advancing recovery in auto demand since April as incentives, reopenings and stimulus helped auto demand defy economic indicators.

Again, the second wave happening now is likely affecting that. The aftermarket continues to demonstrate that it’s a recession-resilient industry and forecasts show a quicker recovery than expected due to more DIY and more preference for personal rather than public modes of transportation. More reliance on the current VIO means the vehicle age will continue to grow as people keep their cars for longer meaning more opportunities for the aftermarket to keep money in wallets and offer more convenience in a newly inconvenient world. While what is happening now is referred to as a V-shaped recovery, the emergence of a second wave could possibly point to a W-shaped recovery.

Q: What kind of changes do you see in the aftermarket with the automotive industry being triggered by either legislation or regulation?

Hanvey: The aftermarket continues to change and adapt to new technologies, and it absolutely presents an opportunity to standardise repair procedures to keep consumers safe as well as a level playing field for the industry. In fact, the Auto Care Association Emerging Technologies Workgroup has been working to identify these challenges and turn them into opportunities for the aftermarket as well as working to ensure that the aftermarket is included in the evolving transportation ecosystem and that there is a level playing field for all.

An Auto Care Emerging Technologies workgroup is defining a set of best practice recommendations to standardise safe and efficient ADAS sensor recalibration processes for all passenger vehicles. That workgroup is also defining standards recommendations that ensure fair and equitable access to embedded device software needed to maintain and repair today’s vehicles.

Secure Vehicle Interface (SVI) – our work to standardise the transmission of wirelessly generated vehicle data is critical to the future of the aftermarket.

Q: Today, almost all the vehicles, including trucks, are connected in one way or the other. What are the new challenges that emerge out of these connected vehicles?

Hanvey: The foremost challenge our industry is facing with “connected” vehicle technology is ensuring access to the telematics data generated by today’s vehicles for the aftermarket and vehicle owners. Without access to this vehicle data, the vehicle manufacturers are able to shut out vehicle owners and their independent repair shops, which stifles competition and increases prices. This is precisely why we returned to the battleground of Massachusetts this year to present a ballot question to voters intended to amend the original Right to Repair law and put consumers in control of their vehicle. We were victorious with a 75% yes vote.

Q: The Auto Care Association has been working on developing the adoption of the secure vehicle interface to access data cyber-securely utilising ISO standards. What is the update on this?

Hanvey: The Auto Care Association, along with Michelin and Enterprise Holdings, produced a demonstration in September for the European Commission and other interested constituents around the world on the Secure Vehicle Interface (SVI). SVI is a standards-based technology that enables secure cyber access to in-vehicle data to trusted third parties. The European Commission is currently working towards delivering a legislative proposal on the critical topic of access to in-vehicle data, which will define the future of the mobility ecosystem in Europe and around the world.

Viewed globally by over 300 participants, the webinar included a live demonstration of the capabilities of SVI, examples of potential applications and new opportunities presented by the technology.

Q: How is the Auto Care Association preparing its members to cater to electric mobility?

Hanvey: This is an important development that the entire industry needs to work together on to prepare future technicians. We work with partners such as TechForce, ASE and our community programmes to provide scholarships to young professionals looking to pursue careers in the industry and share information that showcases what the “new” reality of incoming technicians and why these jobs are so viable.

Q: What is the feedback to ACES (Aftermarket Catalogue Exchange Standard) and PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard); do they need any amendments?

Hanvey: The Auto Care Association recently received a federal award that will grant the association $299,000 from the International Trade Administration’s (ITA) Market Development Cooperator Programme (MDCP) award to help the automotive aftermarket industry facilitate the implementation and adoption of ACES and PIES technology standards in China and key Latin American markets.

We also continued to expand our standards coverage this year. On the ACES front, VCdb South America will soon become available, providing vehicle content in our VCdb database for Chile, Colombia, Argentina and Brazil. Spanish Translations for the VCdb, Qdb, PCdb and PAdb will also be available as an add-on. We’ve expanded the catalogue and access for North American companies to do businesses in Latin American countries despite closed borders.

Q: Can you update on UniLink?

Hanvey: The UniLink dataset is available and now includes 96 percent of the 1.4 billion global VIO. The UniLink database contains 23 years of information that is constantly growing and extending and is organised into 16 high-level original equipment manufacturing attributes. Serving as a high-level bridge to ACES so users can see which parts fit with their product portfolio, UniLink allows users to identify new countries, makes and models to sell existing parts already in their portfolio – eliminating redundancies in the supply chain. Aftermarket companies can now determine new markets across the globe for underperforming inventory parts that are sitting and collecting dust in the warehouse and connect product data under a unified platform approach to reduce redundant, time-consuming research and avoid costly errors. Our market feedback tells us that UniLink will help increase sales (five to fifteen percent).

Q: Can you update on Auto Care Association’s working model of the secure vehicle data from OEMs?

Hanvey: Now that we have won the Right to Repair ballot for the second time in Massachusetts, we hope to work with the automakers to implement SVI.

Q: Reports are doing the rounds that with more electronics and software entering cars/trucks, the OEMs might do away with the OBD port and will store data wirelessly, exempting them from the current law. Has the Auto Care Association taken cognisance of this as this move may bother your members / independent repair shops?

Hanvey: The Auto Care Association is aware that the OEMs are currently and actively opposed to allowing third parties to access the data generated by vehicles today and that they are spending millions of dollars to prevent independent repairers and vehicle owners from gaining access to this data. After a decisive victory for the Right to Repair initiative in Massachusetts this November, the public has put the OEMs on notice that they want access to their vehicle data. Should the OEMs move to an entirely cloud-based system and do away with the OBD port on vehicles, we will continue to fight for the rights and abilities of the American people to access their vehicle data and service their cars wherever they see fit.

Q: Can you tell us about your initiatives in building professional skills to your members?

Hanvey: The Auto Care Association’s education resources include networking and conference events, market research reports and analyses, publications, websites, scholarships and a partnership with the University of the Aftermarket, all with the goal of providing continuous professional development opportunities. The Auto Care Association also recognises and celebrates members of our industry each year who go above and beyond to equip their employees with the education and skills they need to be successful in today’s auto care industry through the Automotive Career and Education (ACE) Award.

Q: Can you tell us about the initiatives taken to support the sustainable growth of your industry?

Hanvey: COVID really accelerated a lot of things for the industry. A shift to digital and needing even more data to make better business decisions was crucial the moment our world changed earlier this year. Our industry has always been driven by a commitment to innovation and agility, and this has been an even bigger part of the aftermarket’s identity during the pandemic. We continued to build on our foundation of innovative products and services to keep the supply chain running efficiently, provide dynamic access to the real-time marketplace and help companies run their businesses at top capacity.

Our TrendLens platform, which houses our Demand Index tool is a prime example. The aftermarket needs to know how the changing economic world is impacting their businesses:

• Day to day changes to vehicle miles driven.
• Record highs and lows in temperatures across the US.
• Consumer confidence fluctuations that shift with every news cycle.

Searching for the latest economic and industry data (like the ones mentioned) to help inform business decisions can be frustrating: multiple data sources, inconsistent data, out of date data, and costly subscriptions. We tackle those big questions with TrendLens.

TrendLens puts curated and current interactive industry insights at the fingertips of all of our users. The platform enables users to understand how market influencing factors are affecting the industry with the most complete and up to date data sets available, all in one place with innovative ways to compare and contrast data to give it context.

We accelerated the production timeline of TrendLens by several months in response to the COVID crisis, and it should be an absolutely invaluable tool in the industry’s arsenal. But we took it a step further with Demand Index.

Demand Index lets aftermarket companies compare their performance to the market. It provides sales performance data with both a unit index and dollar index for 38 different product groups, from air filters to shocks and struts, and growing.

More data and better value are provided by the Demand Index than any other tool, and what we’re hearing is that buyers and manufacturers are finally coming to the table and speaking the same language and correlate efforts to ROI thanks to the tool. (MT)

The Federation of Automobile Dealers Associations (FADA) has successfully wrapped up the third edition of Vyapar Delhi alongside the 22nd national Vyapar conclave at Le Méridien in New Delhi. Centred on the theme ‘Vyapar Delhi – Badalti Dilli’, the event gathered over 200 automobile dealers, senior policymakers, original equipment manufacturer leaders, financial institutions, and domain experts. Their goal was to deliberate on the future of automotive retail and mobility within the National Capital Region.

The event was honoured by the presence of Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister of the Government of NCT of Delhi, as the chief guest. Key policy discussions tackled pressing dealer challenges, including the draft Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy, the vehicle scrappage policy, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s classification of workshops as industrial versus commercial and the long-pending compensation cess issue. A dedicated technical session offered legal clarity on the cess and a path forward to protect dealers’ legitimate financial credits.

A major highlight was the panel discussion titled ‘Badalti Dilli: Reimagining Passenger Mobility in India’s Capital’, featuring senior leaders from JSW Motors, Volvo Car India, Honda Cars India, BYD India and Nissan Motor India. They explored changing consumer expectations, electrification pathways, product strategy and dealers’ role as critical enablers of India’s mobility transition. Additional sessions covered artificial intelligence-led dealership transformation, future-ready retail practices, and presentations from finance and technology partners.

Road safety remained a strong undercurrent throughout the day, with FADA reaffirming its commitment to helmet and seatbelt awareness, responsible driving behaviour and first response training including CPR at dealership levels. Vyapar Delhi 2026 ultimately reaffirmed FADA’s role as a constructive stakeholder in shaping policy, supporting environmental goals, strengthening road safety outcomes and safeguarding livelihoods.

The Chief Minister said, "We are committed to the mission of a 'Clean Delhi, Green Delhi, and Smart Delhi.' Our government has introduced the country’s most comprehensive EV Policy, allocating INR 40 billion over the next four years to provide subsidies, tax waivers and scrapping incentives that drive us toward green mobility. To tackle pollution at its source, we are revolutionising our transportation sector through massive investments, for the Metro and the establishment of automated fitness centres to ensure every vehicle on our roads is fit and emission-free. A 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047 is only possible with a 'Viksit Delhi.' I call upon our automobile dealers to act as the government's 'working hands' in motivating citizens to shift to clean energy. We are streamlining our policies to make registration easier and more efficient, ensuring that the people of Delhi have a world-class, environment-friendly experience right here in the capital. Together, we will transform Delhi into a city that defines the future of sustainable urban living."

Reiterating FADA’s continued engagement with policymakers, leadership development through FADA Academy, GenX and Women in FADA, as well as sustained legal efforts on the Compensation Cess matter, C S Vigneshwar, President, FADA, said, “Delhi is in motion, not just on its roads, but in its ambition, and at FADA, we believe automobile dealers must be full partners in this transformation. While we fully support the city’s commitment to a greener future and the Draft EV Policy, it is vital that this transition includes the 17,500 trained professionals whose livelihoods are woven into Delhi’s automotive ecosystem. Our vision of ‘Badalti Dilli’ is one where enablement moves faster than enforcement, where economic growth, road safety initiatives like CPR training and our ‘Buckle Up’ campaign and environmental responsibility progress together without leaving anyone behind.”

Shailender Luthra, Chairperson, FADA Delhi, said, “Today’s gathering reflects a changing Delhi and an evolving auto retail trade. The sector today is vastly different from what it was five years ago, and we are witnessing a significant shift driven by rising consumer confidence and aspiration, with Delhi recording a 17 percent growth in vehicle sales as of March 2026. Annual new vehicle registrations stood at nearly 800,000 units. Our industry remains a vital pillar of the city’s economy, with 550 dealership outlets providing employment to over 55,000 individuals and contributing approximately INR 71.5 billion to Delhi’s revenues through motor vehicle taxes and GST – INR 26.5 billion annually in motor vehicle tax and INR 45 billion as GST contribution from the auto sector. The data clearly shows that India is no longer debating electric vehicle adoption; it is actively embracing it. Delhi has witnessed a sharp increase in electric commercial vehicles and a 62 percent rise in electric two-wheeler adoption. To support and lead this transition, FADA has proposed to the Delhi Government the installation of 150 public charging stations at our own cost. In parallel, we are committed to strengthening local employment through skill development centres at ITIs and have also proposed the establishment of a vehicle scrappage centre to further support the government’s environmental objectives. At FADA, we believe we are doing far more than selling vehicles – we are shaping the future of mobility. As Delhi and its businesses evolve, I am confident that our dealers will not only keep pace with change but will lead this vital transformation towards a sustainable future.”

Škoda Auto follows up its 2025 Milan Design Week debut with another appearance at Palazzo del Senato. The carmaker has commissioned Spanish architect Ricardo Orts, whom Forbes listed among the top 100 creative business people in 2024, to build an installation centred on modelling clay. That same playful material anchors the advertising push for the forthcoming Epiq, a compact electric crossover. Visitors will see the camouflaged vehicle alongside Orts's large scale works, all designed to showcase how Škoda currently thinks about form and function.

Palazzo del Senato hosts this event from 21 to 26 April. Orts, who runs Ulises Studio, has filled the Baroque courtyard with bright colours that blur the line between screens and physical space. Two pieces take centre stage: the hidden Epiq and a sculptural version called Epiq Sculpt. Their modern look clashes boldly with the historic architecture. The slogan woven through the presentation highlights a feeling of pleasant surprise: ‘Ooooh, that’s EpiQ!’

Beyond the main display, the open atrium offers several draws. A digital corner uses an LED screen to let people explore the Epiq and the brand. There are quiet zones, an open seating area, a space for children and a corner for group exercise and wellness talks. A Škoda Elroq has been turned into a mobile café selling Curiosity Fuel Coffee. Design leader Chan Park will join Orts for a conversation called Epiq Talks, giving guests a closer look at the project's origins.

Škoda Auto uses its Milan presence to champion curiosity, transformation and hands on discovery. The setup welcomes quick stops for a drink as well as full day visits with exercise sessions and discussions. Everyone from young children to design enthusiasts will find something engaging. The ultimate goal is to help people feel wonder again and enjoy how art can reshape ordinary spaces.

Martin Jahn, Škoda Auto Board Member for Sales and Marketing, said, “Milan Design Week allows us to further elevate the Škoda brand and present it far beyond the automotive world – as a brand driven by design, creativity and innovation. Our installation brings the Modern Solid design language to life in a playful, immersive way that invites people to experience our brand, not just observe it. At the heart of this presentation is the Epiq – a clear expression of our ambition to make electric mobility more accessible and to inspire new customer groups through design-led storytelling.”

Orts said, “Škoda Auto fits naturally into my visual world. It combines playfulness and accessibility with a strong technical and carefully considered design language. This balance between imagination and precision deeply resonates with my own work.”

The German Rubber Industry Association (wdk) has expressed deep concern over the widening gap between automotive manufacturers and their suppliers in Germany, a trend observed for the first time since 2025. Managing Director Boris Engelhardt noted that many industry suppliers are fighting for economic survival. While car manufacturers continue to grow, German suppliers are shrinking. Engelhardt condemned automakers for demanding financial concessions from struggling suppliers, warning this threatens their very existence.

For decades, German automakers and suppliers worked hand in hand to achieve global leadership. Engelhardt argues this cooperation is now being abandoned as carmakers shift to cost-driven strategies, jeopardising Germany’s future as an innovative production hub. Since 2019, global disruptions have forced suppliers to reduce capacity while remaining flexible, but limits have now been reached.

Projected write downs of EUR 65 billion for 2025 stem from a lack of technological foresight in government mobility regulations. Engelhardt emphasised these consequences are no surprise, as the association warned more than a decade ago. Yet automakers now demand massive price reductions from shrinking suppliers instead of offering support.

Engelhardt concluded that solidarity is not a one-way street. After years of supplier flexibility, it is now the automakers’ turn to act responsibly. Preserving Germany’s automotive supplier base requires shared burden sharing, not unilateral financial demands from manufacturers.

Scania has completely reworked its Services 360 portfolio by introducing a dedicated offering for new electric trucks, which now covers every operational need including battery care. At the same time, the company has rolled out flexible coverage plans for second-hand combustion engine vehicles, allowing owners of used trucks to choose from different levels of repair, maintenance and productivity support. This move reflects rising sales in both the new electric and used diesel truck segments.

Originally launched in 2024, the Services 360 portfolio was built around smart flexible maintenance planning and a range of digital tools. It already provided customised packages suited to fleets of any size or powertrain type. Now, Scania has extended Services 360 to include used vehicle customers, who are often more price sensitive. For them, four distinct packages called Core, Plus, Full and Pro are available, offering progressively deeper coverage. Core includes basic fleet maintenance and digital monitoring, while Pro adds proactive and powertrain repairs.

For owners of battery electric trucks, Scania offers the Full package within Services 360. By broadening access to these tailored service levels, the company reinforces its commitment to customer profitability across all business types. This expansion ensures that whether a customer operates new electric trucks or used conventional ones, they receive a competitive and customized service solution designed to keep their vehicles running efficiently and profitably.

Lars Gustafsson, Senior Vice President and Head of Trucks at Scania, said, “We want our battery-electric truck customers to only focus on maximising the use of their vehicles. By offering a single service level – Full – we ensure that every repair, every interaction between systems and every unexpected issue is handled and covered by Scania, giving our electric truck customers all the support they need. We pride ourselves in being close to our customers’ pain points, and extending Services 360 is a way to reach even more transport operators and cover the full ecosystem of needs around their business. No matter the type of powertrain, operation or business sector, the underlying goal of Services 360 is to support the customer and make them more profitable and sustainable for the long term.”