SALES SURGE FOR CLASSIC SPECIALISTS
The pandemic proves lucrative for Mini, Triumph and AustinHealey parts suppliers as enthusiasts enjoy lockdown restorations
Sales figures during the early part of the coronavirus pandemic have shown that the UK’s historic vehicle parts trade has improved by up to 45 per cent.
Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs figures already showed a surge in hobby spending between 2016 and 2018
– when spending on classics rose from £1.4 billion to £1.85 billion.
Austin-Healey expert, AH Spares, reported a 45 per cent rise in global parcel shipments since March, while trim specialist, Newton Commercials, is on a sixday week to meet demand.
AH Spares’ director, Rebecca Kemsley, told Classic Car Weekly: ‘ We’ve seen record growth since March, no doubt in part as more people have been at home with the free time to carry out restorations, large or small, on their ’Healey, which might not have been possible before.’ HOW THE TRADE HAS STEPPED UP TO HELP YOU MAINTAIN YOUR CLASSIC
Domestic parts suppliers and dealers have reported record sales during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic – with some having to take on new staff to keep up with demand.
The strong results achieved correlate with the latest figures from the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs’ (FBHVC’s) 2019 Cost of Ownership Survey, which revealed a surge in maintenance spending on classics. FBHVC statistics, taken 12 months prior, showed that £1.85bn was put into keeping classics on the road, up from £1.4bn surveyed in 2016. Unusual circumstances placed on classic car enthusiasts, many of whom were furloughed during lockdown, prompted many to re-invest in their cars – and specialists, who adapted to the new business demands, are reaping the rewards.
Warwickshire Austin-Healey expert, AH Spares, reported a 45 per cent rise in the number of parcels it shipped out worldwide since March 2020; its online orders rose by 38 per cent over the same time period. Director, Rebecca Kemsley, said: ‘AH Spares has seen a record growth since March, no doubt in part as more people have been at home with the free time to carry out restoration projects, large or small, on their ’Healey which might not have been possible before.’ Export demand also remains strong; AH’s parts are shipped to the USA and it recently sent chassis to Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
It’s a similar story at Newton Commercials, Suffolk, where 40 per cent of its trim and carpets are exported. Staff are working a six-day week to keep up with orders from its catalogue under social distancing guidelines. Its most popular lines are for the Morris Minor, Mini, MG, Triumph, Porsche, Mazda, Morris Minor, Ford and VW; in March, Newton made PPE with volunteers.
Managing director, Jonny Newton, said: ‘ We have never been busier.
It’s obviously because people have been busy restoring cars during COVID-19, and obviously requiring our products.’
‘ We have also managed to work on R&D and we will soon be rolling out Mini MPI and Renault 5 GT Turbo moulded carpets. I strongly believe that British manufacturing will become key to driving us out of this COVID downturn and our British engineering and British manufacturing should strive to be the best in the world.’
The pent-up need for Triumph spares has been so great for Hertfordshire’s Robsport that managing director, Simon Hebditch, had to take on another member of staff to man the phones. He said: ‘It’s been busier than usual as those lucky enough to be at home have been playing with their cars. The parts side has been doing really well, we’ve been selling loads of cars and giving lots more advice over the phone.’