Impact of COVID-19 on motor industry?

Cushtie · 17-03-2020 9:07pm

Some dealers have been left high and dry by Hire Drive companies who have cancelled orders on the back of this. Hard to blame them but the timing absolutely sucks for dealers.

Cars registered and ready to go and orders pulled.

Know of approx 1000 units and there is probably couple of thousand more.

All those will have to be resold before any new regs can be even considered.

Carnage is the word that's being bandied about.

pablo128 · 17-03-2020 9:18pm

I was thinking about going to the UK to buy a used car later this year. If I can manage to hold on to my job, this could work out in my favour.

Rows Grower · 17-03-2020 9:29pm

pablo128 wrote: »

I was thinking about going to the UK to buy a used car later this year. If I can manage to hold on to my job, this could work out in my favour.

Sounds like a plan, watch the news at 9pm.

SachaJ · 17-03-2020 10:55pm

pablo128 wrote: »

I was thinking about going to the UK to buy a used car later this year. If I can manage to hold on to my job, this could work out in my favour.

It'll take a while to sink in and I don't think the penny has dropped in the UK yet. I contacted a dealer in the UK about a car today and was offered a 1% discount.

cherryghost · 17-03-2020 10:57pm

Not directly related but for a long time have been doing Tesco online delivery (about 2 years since the birth of my daughter). Last week and this week I have no nappies delivered as they were out of stock in Tesco. As I am a learner driver, and my brother cannot drive me for covid reasons, I ended up walking almost 10km around D22 looking for nappies. Home this evening but now I have a cold, how about that

So now have my new car sitting in the driveway til god knows how long, unable to book a driving test I'm due at the moment either. Cant even do a lesson as instructors have ceased doing so also. I know its only a piss in the ocean compared to most people, but still a bummer.

Hellrazer · 18-03-2020 11:22am

Well we`ve been informed that we`ll be on a 3 day week from Friday with that being reviewed weekly so who knows whats going to happen.

Not a good situation to be in with a mortgage,kids etc.

galwaytt · 18-03-2020 11:58am

CianRyan wrote: »

Personally I'm hoping house prices drop... As long as I can keep my job and the banks keep lending.

Well I build 'em for a living, and there's no room in new house pricing for a fall unless companies are prepared to make them loss leaders - easier just to mothball the sites and wait it out. Last time 'we' did that it took a decade and they came back to market at or above the boom. That model won't change, but the timescale might.

Fwiw, only 48% of a house price is the actual building of it....

eljono · 18-03-2020 12:13pm

galwaytt wrote: »

Fwiw, only 48% of a house price is the actual building of it....

That's interesting, what does the remainder go on?

SachaJ · 18-03-2020 12:14pm

eljono wrote: »

That's interesting, what does the remainder go on?

Materials?

mickdw · 18-03-2020 12:31pm

eljono wrote: »

That's interesting, what does the remainder go on?

Site cost, initial outlay re planning and professionals,
And taxes

eljono · 18-03-2020 12:32pm

SachaJ wrote: »

Materials?

I'm assuming that the materials are part of the build i.e. the 48%. Land I suppose is a large and separate cost to the build, as well as planning, architects, etc.

CianRyan · 18-03-2020 1:42pm

galwaytt wrote: »

Well I build 'em for a living, and there's no room in new house pricing for a fall unless companies are prepared to make them loss leaders - easier just to mothball the sites and wait it out. Last time 'we' did that it took a decade and they came back to market at or above the boom. That model won't change, but the timescale might.

Fwiw, only 48% of a house price is the actual building of it....

I hear ya, man. To be fair though I can't afford to look at new builds where I want to buy anyway so I'll but looking firmly in the "used" market.

Toyotafanboi · 18-03-2020 1:52pm

How are workshops looking today lads? We seem to be blissfully ignoring that there is an issue. Full compliment of staff here and instructed to continue as so, place is very quiet, only around 30% of appointments are turning up, phones arent ringing, we arent even seeing franchise recoverys.

This cant keep up and really, I dont want to be here either. It's better than last week but there's still an incredible lack of respect towards social distancing and basic hygiene between staff. I know its breaking the habit of a lifetime but still.

I seen a fella sneezing out loud this morning and plenty of people leaning over my desk or having close conversations. We have internal non fire doors chocked open so people dont have to touch them too much and to ventilate but people keep unchocking them because of draught etc.

18-03-2020 1:58pm

You can be sure house prices will fall but I doubt too many will change hands.

With thousands of folk unable to pay their mortgages banks will be limited enough in what they can lend.

Folk with a few quid might snap up some bargains but I don't see people looking to borrow 90% of the purchase price being too common. Much like 2008 to 2012.

18-03-2020 2:18pm

mickdw wrote: »

I long said things needed a major reset worldwide given the nonsense thats going around - animals being protected before gumans, green this, carbon that, tax everyone bullsh1t.
I hope this virus can push the green bullsh1t back a generation.

I suppose the virus will make everyone thing twice about travelling anyway so in someways that might help the green policies. Spending will be effected so will consumerism etc .......... in line with economic activity reducing there'll be a fall in associated pollution.

jmreire · 18-03-2020 2:23pm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

How are workshops looking today lads? We seem to be blissfully ignoring that there is an issue. Full compliment of staff here and instructed to continue as so, place is very quiet, only around 30% of appointments are turning up, phones arent ringing, we arent even seeing franchise recoverys.

This cant keep up and really, I dont want to be here either. It's better than last week but there's still an incredible lack of respect towards social distancing and basic hygiene between staff. I know its breaking the habit of a lifetime but still.

I seen a fella sneezing out loud this morning and plenty of people leaning over my desk or having close conversations. We have internal non fire doors chocked open so people dont have to touch them too much and to ventilate but people keep unchocking them because of draught etc.

I was in a hardware business this morning,and all the staff ( inc the owner ) were wearing building site hard hats,with plastic visor and face masks. The store shed at the rear was open, so you back in your vehicle, open the rear doors and tell the store man what you want ( from a distance ) he loads the vehicle, and you go to a hatch to pay...at the hatch, the credit card reader is outside the hatch so you put in your credit card enter the detail's, remove the card. Job done. And in Dunnes Stores earlier, at the check out's, there was a staff member walking up and down the row of check out's making sure that customers kept their distance.
For now, this situation is still relatively new, and the general public is still on a learning curve ( despite all the publicity ) but give it a few more days, and people will be much more compliant when the consequences sink in.

thequarefellow · 18-03-2020 2:35pm

jmreire wrote: »

Dunnes Stores earlier, at the check out's, there was a staff member walking up and down the row of check out's making sure that customers kept their distance.

Unfortunately we need staff like this to instruct/force people as to what to do. My wife as in a supermarket yesterday and while in the queue she left a large space between herself and the person in front. An ignoramus jumped into the space and when tackled turned around to 'pretend' cough in her face. An extreme example, I admit, but still...

jmreire · 18-03-2020 3:09pm

thequarefellow wrote: »

Unfortunately we need staff like this to instruct/force people as to what to do. My wife as in a supermarket yesterday and while in the queue she left a large space between herself and the person in front. An ignoramus jumped into the space and when tackled turned around to 'pretend' cough in her face. An extreme example, I admit, but still...

Incredible, but we still have stupid ignorant amadans like that.....I can guarantee you though, that as time goes on, and the death toll rises, this will be regarded and treated as attempted murder. Last week in a local chemists, to such "joker's" walked in and both of them coughed into their palms, and then blew in the direction of the staff saying " Now here's your virus for you" , The staff ( all girls ) were very frightened, and the chemist had to close the shop. Now it's a closed door operation. Jokers thought it was great craic......bastard's. I hope that the Guards follow up on it.

galwaytt · 18-03-2020 3:40pm

Augeo wrote: »

You can be sure house prices will fall but I doubt too many will change hands.

With thousands of folk unable to pay their mortgages banks will be limited enough in what they can lend.

Folk with a few quid might snap up some bargains but I don't see people looking to borrow 90% of the purchase price being too common. Much like 2008 to 2012.

In a falling market, who'd want to/be able to sell ?

As for Banks, well they're going to be very slow to release funds to buy, as well...

Well all the valuers are closed now, so no transactions to buy or sell until this is over............

Mech1 · 18-03-2020 3:50pm

I have just heard that the Windsor Group are closing for 6 weeks from tomorrow. Unconfirmed but from a source that should know.

ba_barabus · 18-03-2020 4:03pm

Mech1 wrote: »

I have just heard that the Windsor Group are closing for 6 weeks from tomorrow. Unconfirmed but from a source that should know.

While well intentioned, it's probably best not to name any business unless it can be confirmed. No point doing harm to struggling businesses unintentionally.

Eric Cartman · 18-03-2020 4:20pm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

How are workshops looking today lads? We seem to be blissfully ignoring that there is an issue. Full compliment of staff here and instructed to continue as so, place is very quiet, only around 30% of appointments are turning up, phones arent ringing, we arent even seeing franchise recoverys.

This cant keep up and really, I dont want to be here either. It's better than last week but there's still an incredible lack of respect towards social distancing and basic hygiene between staff. I know its breaking the habit of a lifetime but still.

I seen a fella sneezing out loud this morning and plenty of people leaning over my desk or having close conversations. We have internal non fire doors chocked open so people dont have to touch them too much and to ventilate but people keep unchocking them because of draught etc.

I have 2 tyres going to a place tomorrow and arranged fitting and alignment no problem , only called this afternoon , on the other hand can't get a CVRT anywhere, booked up or closed, Land Rover parts depts allegedly open but none taking calls.

Lleyn elec · 18-03-2020 5:16pm

I wonder the effect of so many losing their jobs and PCP payments. How many missed payments before a car is taken?

Mech1 · 18-03-2020 6:37pm

Confirmed now.
https://www.facebook.com/WindsorMotorGroup/

18-03-2020 6:41pm

galwaytt wrote: »

In a falling market, who'd want to/be able to sell ?

As for Banks, well they're going to be very slow to release funds to buy, as well...

Well all the valuers are closed now, so no transactions to buy or sell until this is over............

Pretty much what I said, except when this is all over and things resume there will be some properties changing hands and they'll no doubt do so for much less than they would have done two weeks ago.

Of course while businesses are shut none can change hands.

Augeo wrote: »

You can be sure house prices will fall but I doubt too many will change hands.

With thousands of folk unable to pay their mortgages banks will be limited enough in what they can lend.

Folk with a few quid might snap up some bargains but I don't see people looking to borrow 90% of the purchase price being too common. Much like 2008 to 2012.

Stark · 18-03-2020 6:44pm

thequarefellow wrote: »

Unfortunately we need staff like this to instruct/force people as to what to do. My wife as in a supermarket yesterday and while in the queue she left a large space between herself and the person in front. An ignoramus jumped into the space and when tackled turned around to 'pretend' cough in her face. An extreme example, I admit, but still...

Sounds pretty typical of people's queuing behaviour to be honest. You leave any sort of gap at all and some gob****e will take it as an invitation to jump in.

jmreire · 18-03-2020 7:13pm

Lleyn elec wrote: »

I wonder the effect of so many losing their jobs and PCP payments. How many missed payments before a car is taken?

Maybe, just maybe, they will start a scheme like the banks freezing mortgage payments for 3 mths for anyone out of work due to the virus???
Re-possessing cars due to non payment, will only glut the market, and further devalue the car's.????:cool:

PCeeeee · 18-03-2020 7:16pm

Booked a service with Ford today. Booked till Thursday next week.

jmreire · 18-03-2020 7:20pm

Augeo wrote: »

I suppose the virus will make everyone thing twice about travelling anyway so in someways that might help the green policies. Spending will be effected so will consumerism etc .......... in line with economic activity reducing there'll be a fall in associated pollution.

During the Chinese lock down, the pollution levels dropped dramatically, and the effect was visible from the International Space Station. Will be a good indication of how much they are recovering when their pollution level's start to rise again. But for the foreseeable future, I can't see it returning to pre-virus levels. Too much damage done to the world economy, the full extend which is still unknown.

dhaughton99 · 18-03-2020 7:21pm

jmreire wrote: »

Maybe, just maybe, they will start a scheme like the banks freezing payments for 3 mths for anyone out of work due to the virus???
Re-possessing cars due to non payment, will only glut the market, and further devalue the car's.????:cool:

Sure i thought PCP was just taken out and paid for with the children’s allowance.

Do the fandango · 20-03-2020 11:36am

Give you a funny one; we're still open and our owner heard that our rival down the road are doing a special service offer for Nurses and Doctors, and now he's going mad that we've to do a better one for them. This is not a time to put rivalries aside for some it seems!

SachaJ · 20-03-2020 11:52am

Do the fandango wrote: »

Give you a funny one; we're still open and our owner heard that our rival down the road are doing a special service offer for Nurses and Doctors, and now he's going mad that we've to do a better one for them. This is not a time to put rivalries aside for some it seems!

Do doctors and nurses have time to get their cars serviced? It would be a nicer thought to offer this after it's all blown over to show appreciation.

Do the fandango · 20-03-2020 1:40pm

I don't think any will be having work done that can be postponed. But if they need their car to get to work, and something happens to their car, garages will be open and willing to help.

Rows Grower · 20-03-2020 1:59pm

Do the fandango wrote: »

I don't think any will be having work done that can be postponed. But if they need their car to get to work, and something happens to their car, garages will be open and willing to help.

That's a great gesture in fairness.

Toyotafanboi · 20-03-2020 2:21pm

We are still open and have no intention of closing unless there's government instruction.

Getting a lot of people delighted we are open so we can reset their tyre pressures and sort other niggly issues they usually dont have time for :rolleyes: service bookings are starting to turn up for their appointments again as this becomes the new accepted norm.

On site, we had a meeting yesterday to be told we were consuming too much of the sanitisation products, to "go easy" on them ffs. We have very lax procedures in terms of hygiene and distancing compared to other businesses I've seen.

We have a number of staff in self isolation after returning from travel which isn't a huge threat to us at work but we have a staff member who was in work, then had symptoms and is now in isolation waiting on results. I know we need our jobs and want to try and maintain normality but the whole thing just seeks reckless to me.

Despite the lower than usual trade, I asked could I take a weeks annual leave next week (to see how this plays out) and I was told no, too short notice.

Do the fandango · 20-03-2020 4:18pm

That seems to be the policy for a lot of retail businesses...Remain open until the government say otherwise OR a staff member contracts the virus.

scooby77 · 20-03-2020 6:45pm

When eventually normality returns there could be a serious shortage of new cars to be had. Pretty much all EU car producers have closed all factories. I'd imagine will take them a while to restart.
Not sure about kia/Hyundai (S. Korea) Lexus (Japan) and the few Toyota models still made in Japan.

jmreire · 20-03-2020 7:37pm

scooby77 wrote: »

When eventually normality returns there could be a serious shortage of new cars to be had. Pretty much all EU car producers have closed all factories. I'd imagine will take them a while to restart.
Not sure about kia/Hyundai (S. Korea) Lexus (Japan) and the few Toyota models still made in Japan.

An even bigger question is will there be money available to buy them?

joujoujou · 20-03-2020 9:08pm

Factory I work in is an OEM supplier of parts to some major car makers, mostly in Europe and the US. As in vast majority they're closing down, we expected the same here.

As I currently am in quarantine, I have no direct contact with management, but got a message earlier today - as expected, factory will work reduced hours next week and shut down completely the following week, nobody knows for how long.

PsychoPete · 20-03-2020 9:19pm

Toyotafanboi wrote: »

We are still open and have no intention of closing unless there's government instruction.

Getting a lot of people delighted we are open so we can reset their tyre pressures and sort other niggly issues they usually dont have time for :rolleyes: service bookings are starting to turn up for their appointments again as this becomes the new accepted norm.

On site, we had a meeting yesterday to be told we were consuming too much of the sanitisation products, to "go easy" on them ffs. We have very lax procedures in terms of hygiene and distancing compared to other businesses I've seen.

We have a number of staff in self isolation after returning from travel which isn't a huge threat to us at work but we have a staff member who was in work, then had symptoms and is now in isolation waiting on results. I know we need our jobs and want to try and maintain normality but the whole thing just seeks reckless to me.

Despite the lower than usual trade, I asked could I take a weeks annual leave next week (to see how this plays out) and I was told no, too short notice.

I was collecting parts from where I used to work, wasn't one but surprised social distancing non existent,lads coughing and sneezing and no intention of closing. Lads in the workshop aren't happy with staying open but the office staff don't have to hop into strangers cars so their happy to stay working. Heard a good few places have cut down working days and looking to close next week

_Kaiser_ · 21-03-2020 11:05am

So how are people dealing with things like tyres or getting the car serviced? Both of which I could do with sorting out.

It's not helping that I'm not currently at home so can't get tyreland out or bring it down to George Dalton and the guys.

Any recommendations for places in/around Cork City and surrounds that's still operating?

21-03-2020 11:23am

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

So .....
Any recommendations for places in/around Cork City and surrounds that's still operating?

Tyres...https://m.facebook.com/pages/category/Tire-Dealer---Repair-Shop/Banks-Tyres-422531664583052/

ofcork · 22-03-2020 2:19pm

Got an email on Friday from kearys in cork closed until further notice.

ba_barabus · 23-03-2020 11:54am

ba_barabus wrote: »

While well intentioned, it's probably best not to name any business unless it can be confirmed. No point doing harm to struggling businesses unintentionally.

ofcork wrote: »

Got an email on Friday from kearys in cork closed until further notice.

Any confirmed source to link

ofcork · 23-03-2020 11:56am

On their website too.

https://www.kearys.ie/offers/covid-19-closure/

Kearys Motor Group has made the decision to close all our showrooms and After Sales departments from 6pm, Friday 20th March until further notice.

galwaytt · 23-03-2020 12:12pm

Do the fandango wrote: »

That seems to be the policy for a lot of retail businesses...Remain open until the government say otherwise OR a staff member contracts the virus.

Not so. Two Penneys employee's in our house, currently off ...& climbing the walls.

supervento · 23-03-2020 12:13pm

ofcork wrote: »

Got an email on Friday from kearys in cork closed until further notice.

Windsor Group also as per their website.

23-03-2020 12:21pm

galwaytt wrote: »

Not so. Two Penneys employee's in our house, currently off ...& climbing the walls.

IIRC they closed last Thursday, they didn't wait until they were told to close but they certainly could have closed much earlier.

quokula · 23-03-2020 12:30pm

I've a deposit down for a new car from a main dealership that is (or at least was) scheduled for delivery in June. I'm lucky enough to have a recession proof job that I can do from home so pretty confident my income isn't threatened at all, but still seems like a crazy time to be buying, and that's assuming the dealership can even meet the order and deliver the car.

Anyone in a similar position? Cancelling seems like the sensible thing to do but to be honest I don't want to phone and tell the guy I'm taking away his custom at this point in time.

23-03-2020 12:32pm

quokula wrote: »

........

Anyone in a similar position? Cancelling seems like the sensible thing to do but to be honest I don't want to phone and tell the guy I'm taking away his custom at this point in time.

Ignoring Covid19 motor dealers have little to no issue ringing folk and telling them their car will be months late.

Sh1t happens, covid19 just happened, if you want to cancel then cancel if you don't mind losing deposit.

Impact of COVID-19 on motor industry?

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