The latest episode of Garage Hive’s The Blend Podcast has shone a spotlight on the lasting impact of the pandemic on workshops five years on.
It also offered practical steps such as smarter workload planning, customer retention strategies, and embracing innovation to help businesses thrive in today’s shifting landscape.
Host Mike Ruff was joined by Nikki Cowan, Chief Executive Officer at Cartopia and former TV presenter, for a conversation on how COVID-19 continues to shape the automotive aftermarket.
Nikki said: “People think the pandemic is behind us, but the effects are still very much alive in our industry and will be for some time to come yet. From disrupted MOT cycles to changing customer habits, garages need to understand what’s coming and adapt if they want to stay ahead.”
Nikki also shared his unconventional journey into the motor trade, swapping a career in television for garage ownership. His fresh perspective offered a message for garage owners: change is not optional, it’s essential.
In the episode, Nikki coined the term “COVID hangover” to describe the ongoing disruption in garage workloads caused by the pandemic. He explained how these unpredictable fluctuations in demand were likely to persist for years, making it crucial for garage owners to plan ahead and find ways to smooth out the peaks and troughs in business.
Nikki proposed offering free MOTs to customers with later expiry dates as a strategy to balance workloads throughout the year. While this approach will seem controversial to many garage owners, Nikki argued it could help maintain customer loyalty and ensure a steady flow of business during quieter periods.
Mike added: “Nikki’s insights are refreshingly honest, packed with real-world advice, and delivered with the kind of humour we all need right now. Search for The Blend Podcast in your usual player and subscribe so you never miss an episode.”
