Trend Tracker has revealed a ‘steady recovery’ is underway for the sector as Audatex data shows a return to 73% of April 2019 volumes.
The latest market insight, courtesy of Trend Tracker, highlights how April 2021 volumes proved to be slightly lower than previously predicted with future forecasts for May, June and July adjusted as a result.
Paul Sell, director at Trend Tracker explained, “We still think volumes will build towards 80-85%, as we are predicting, with restrictions continuing to ease in May and June, but for April at least it appears to be happening slower than we had hoped.”
As a result of a slower recovery than hoped, repair volumes January to April are down by 222,260 repairs compared to the same period in 2019.
Paul said, “This reduction in repair numbers follows over 500,000 less repairs during 2020, so it is without doubt a very tough trading period which we hope with the ongoing easing of restrictions we will see start to pick back up again.”
He continued, “All the indicators are there. TomTom data for Liverpool and London shows congestion levels continuing to rise (Vs 2019) which wasn’t the case three weeks ago and Apple mobility data shows driving is now +20% above baseline and similar to pre-March lockdown levels.
“However, what is significant is that Google data shows workplace mobility remains -32% and this will certainly be having an effect on collision repair volumes.”
The data and insight are a snapshot of the information Trend Tracker is accumulating for its Emerging from Covid-19 report out at the end of May 2021. The report will look at a host of factors impacting on the sector right now, such as investment in increasing vehicle technology; rising borrowing levels; remote working; reduced claims volumes; and consumer behaviours to understand the short, medium and long terms implications for the sector.
