Brexit under the spotlight in penultimate VRA 2021 Outlook webinar

The Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) is to explore how Brexit will likely affect remarketing over the next 12 months in its penultimate 2021 Outlook Seminar.

The average cost of a new car has increased by 12.3% since the Brexit vote

The VRA webinar will see David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham’s Business School, discuss the probable impact of finally leaving the EU

Taking place online at 10am on 3 December, the 30-minute webinar will see David Bailey, professor of business economics at the University of Birmingham’s Business School, discuss the probable impact of finally leaving the EU.

Also, Owen Edwards, an associate director and automotive specialist at Grant Thornton will provide a general overview of the economic outlook for next year.

The webinar is the latest in a series of five briefing events that the VRA is holding during November and December that are open to anyone who works in the motor industry and are designed to provide a compact but expert summary of next year’s prospects in key areas of remarketing.

Sam Watkins, chair at the VRA, said: “There is a long list of factors that could have a major effect on the remarketing sector in 2021 but Brexit is probably the elephant in the room. While things could yet be resolved relatively favourably, we’re still facing the very real possibility of a no-deal exit from the EU and all the very real negatives that would bring. We’re therefore very pleased to have David Bailey on hand to provide an essential briefing and bring a little welcome clarity to the situation.

“Also, in the wake of the pandemic, the general economic situation remains very unpredictable. Owen Edwards of Grant Thornton is an old friend of the VRA and very highly rated by our members, so we are looking forward to hearing what he has got to say about how the picture is likely to develop.”

So far, the Outlook Seminar 2021 events have featured Mike Jones of ASE Global, Philip Nothard of Cox Automotive, Steve Freeman at MHA Consulting, Derren Martin of Cap Hpi, Rupert Pontin of Cazana and Jayson Whittington of Glass’s. They are designed to take the place of the VRA Seminar, which is normally held every November but had proven impossible to organise in the current environment.

Watkins said: “The online format doesn’t create the same degree of buzz as having 200 people in a room but it has worked well. Not only has the content been informative and stimulating but there has been a very high level of discussion and interaction.”

To register for the webinar, email [email protected].

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.