Automotive

The automotive industry is critical to the efficient running of the country’s private and commercial vehicles – it literally keeps the wheels of industry turning.

The increasing numbers of electric and hybrid vehicles in the national fleet has been a major development for the automotive industry over recent years.

In 2018, just over 1 per cent of all new cars registered were electric. In 2023, the market share (determined by new car registration) of battery-electric, plug-in and hybrid cars was almost 45 per cent. This growth corresponds with a decline in demand for petrol-only cars.

The Automotive NIAG is made up of:

• Heavy Automotive Engineering
• Light Automotive Engineering
• Automotive Parts and Wholesaling
• Collision Repair
• Forklift (Powered Industrial Lift Trucks).

Automotive NIAG priority areas:

• Emerging technology eg EVs and how they will impact anticipated industry needs
• Development of targeted micro-credentials to address identified gaps in training
• How to promote the automotive sector as a long-term career option.

• Douglas Blair – Co-chair
• Dylan Cairns – Co-chair
• Aimee Wiley
• Andrew Trumper
• Charlie Wikaira
• Craig Martin
• Darren O’Connor
• Len Richards
• Lionel Rowe
• Loretta Thompson
• Neil Pritchard
• Rodney Grant
• Warren Flowerday

The next NIAG meeting will be held online in the second quarter of 2024 – more details to come.