Join Phil Curry for another episode of Auto Transmission, the podcast from Auto Repair Focus, bringing you the latest news, analysis and exclusive interviews from the UK automotive aftermarket.

This week, Phil reports directly from the Goodwood Festival of Speed, explores the DVSA's nationwide rollout of MOT photo requirements, and sits down with Steve Horne, CEO of GSF Car Parts, to discuss the continuing success of GSF TechFest, the future of the independent aftermarket and how garages can prepare for changing vehicle technology.

In this episode

🏎️ Goodwood Festival of Speed 2026

Phil shares his thoughts after a day at Goodwood, where the event continues its evolution from a motorsport celebration into one of the UK's biggest automotive showcases. Discover the latest vehicle launches, the growing influence of Chinese manufacturers including BYD, MG, Omoda, Jaecoo and Chery, and why the aftermarket has never had a stronger presence at the famous event.

You'll also hear an interview with Casey Whitmore from Elite Garages, discussing the company's rapid expansion following the acquisition of former ATS Euromaster sites and why Goodwood remains an important opportunity to connect with motorists.

📸 MOT Photo Requirements – What Will They Mean for Garages?

The DVSA has confirmed that MOT photo evidence will be introduced nationally during 2026 following successful trials.

Phil examines:

• Why the new photo requirement is being introduced
• How it aims to combat ghost MOTs and improve road safety
• Whether the additional process could increase workload for MOT testers
• The reaction from both the public and the aftermarket
• Why this could become one of the biggest changes to MOT testing in recent years

We want to hear from you.

Do you support the introduction of MOT photos?

Will they help reduce fraud, or do they simply create more administration for workshops?

Send your thoughts and opinions to [email protected]. Selected comments may feature in a future Auto Repair Focus article, video or podcast episode.

🎤 Exclusive Interview – Steve Horne, CEO, GSF Car Parts

Recorded during GSF TechFest Newcastle, Phil speaks exclusively with Steve Horne about:

• The continuing success of GSF TechFest
• Why creating events for independent garages is so important
• GSF's customer-first strategy
• ServiceSure and supporting independent workshops
• Electric vehicles, hybrid technology and the future of the aftermarket
• Why Steve believes independent garages have nothing to fear from the transition to electrification
• GSF's ambition to become the UK's number one motor factor

Also in this episode

• Latest automotive aftermarket news
• RAC data on defective tyres and road safety
• Ben's Summer Families Project
• Apprenticeship reforms and concerns from the automotive industry
• Upcoming Auto Repair Focus features and interviews

Get involved

What are your thoughts on the new MOT photo scheme?

Email [email protected] and join the conversation.

Subscribe

Don't forget to subscribe to Auto Transmission wherever you listen to podcasts and visit Auto Repair Focus for the latest automotive aftermarket news, features, interviews and analysis.

🌐 https://autorepairfocus.com

Foreign.

Welcome to Auto Transmission, the podcast from Auto Repair Focus.

I'm Phil Curry and you join me on the way home from the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where I've been taking in the sights, sounds, the new cars and the aftermarket at the wonderful mecca for the automotive industry.

No longer a mecca for motorsport, but a general celebration of all that is automotive.

In this episode of Auto Transmission, I'm going to be talking about Goodwood and bringing you some insights from the aftermarket itself.

I'm also going to be looking at the latest on the photo MOT and what it might mean for your business.

And we have an exclusive interview with Steve Horn, CEO at GSF Car Parts, ahead of this week's Tech Fest.

Now that was recorded at TechFest Newcastle.

And now we find out just how much that festival means to the Motor Factor Group.

But first, back to the studio to me with the news.

The DVSA has provided an update on its MOT photo scheme following feedback from two trials conducted last year.

The current MOT Policy and Testing guide will be updated to reflect these changes.

This move aims to prevent ghost MOTs from taking place by confirming that a vehicle is present and in the workshop during its annual test.

This will in turn improve road safety while reducing levels of MOT fraud and you can hear more about that in just a moment.

Last year A total of 10,054 penalty point endorsements were given to motorists in Great Britain due to un roadworthy vehicles, new data analysed by the RAC's mobile servicing repair Division has found.

Driving a vehicle with defective tyres was the biggest reason drivers received points last year with 6,670 people being stopped and having their licenses endorsed.

This can also attract a fine of up to 2,500 pounds per tyre, meaning drivers could risk a total of 10,000 pounds in fines as well as as 12 penalty points with three per tyre.

This highlights the continued work needed by the industry to educate drivers when it comes to tire safety.

Automotive industry charity Ben has launched its Summer Families Project aimed at supporting current and former automotive workers facing record high costs for fuel, food and energy.

Now in its fourth year, Ben's Summer Family's project launches as money worries continue to drive demand for the charity's services.

In the past year, its helpline responded to more than 14,000 inquiries with money worries among the leading reasons people sought help.

The charity also awarded more than 600 financial grants to those facing financial hardship last year.

However, the move has raised concerns within the automotive industry as the sector struggles with a skills gap and the need to bring in more talent.

These latest reforms could undermine the efforts being put in by businesses to look to the future.

In a response, the Institute of the Motor Industry and Automotive Employers have laid out their concerns and suggestions in an open letter to the Secretary of State for Work and pensions, Pat McFadden MP.

You can read the full open letter and see who signed it and find out more about the latest aftermarket news, products and [email protected].

While there, don't forget to sign up to the Insight newsletter, bringing you the latest news to your inbox every week.

And also check out our YouTube channel.

Find us on social media.

Just search on the platforms for auto repair Focus now back to me on my way home from Goodwood.

Now back to Goodwood as I'm winding my way through country lanes on my way home.

It has been an interesting day, if a long one in 34 degrees heat, but absolutely worth it.

Goodwin Festival of Speed used to be all about the motorsport element.

You used to go and see performance cars, the F1 cars, racing cars, classics, you name it.

There was the odd new car launch there, but the aftermarket and the motorsport sector used to go hand in hand and people who went to the show saw it really as a mecca of motorsport.

Over the last few years the automotive industry has grown in its presence there and this year was no different.

Several new concept cars, many brands and some interesting presence as well.

But that doesn't mean to say that the aftermarket was sidelined.

Quite the opposite in fact.

There was a really, really great presence at the show from Weira Tools, Milwaukee Tools, tyre suppliers, diagnostic suppliers, Bilsten Castrol were evident in the branding on several cars.

It really, really highlighted and really pulled together the sense of the automotive industry there.

And taking part in their fourth Goodwood Festival of Old Speed was elite Garages.

Elite Garages are a garage group that have several sites across the uk, but they've seen a massive expansion program take place this year thanks to that acquisition of several ATS Euromaster sites following that company's closure.

So this year, Goodwood was a great opportunity for them to get in touch with many of the attendees from across the south of the country.

And I caught up with Casey Whitmore from Elite Garages to find out more about their presence at the show and their fantastic year of growth.

First off, Elite Garages, why are you here at Goodwood Festival of Speed?

Elite Garages is a family business.

We've been a family business for over 65 years now.

We're really expanding, so we've opened several new branches this year.

So We've now got 37 branches across the site, south of England.

And we really use Goodwiz as a chance to meet current customers, potential new customers.

Everyone has to go on the racing simulator.

Goodie bags and just a way to chat to people, tell them what we're about, what services we offer.

So we're talking about MOTs, tires, servicing, brakes, clutches, cam belts, kind of the whole range of repairs on all makes and models.

So, yeah, great chance for us to get our name out there and meet existing and hopefully potential new customers.

And I mean, how important to you is Goode is festival to speak?

I mean, obviously the motorsport festival is becoming a very big automotive festival, so how important is it for you to be here, to be part of it?

Yeah, I mean, Goodwood is a massive platform for us.

There's obviously people from all across the country, other countries as well, obviously.

We're still based in the south, but we've expanded massively.

So even just this year, we are now in Devon and Cornwall, for example, and we have bumped in so many people from Devon and Cornwall and other areas we're in.

So, yeah, thousands and thousands of people walking past the sand every day.

It's just brilliant brand exposure and a chance for us to get to meet lots of people.

Now.

It's a big year for you guys because obviously the ATS acquisition, certain sites.

So massive expansion for you.

Yeah.

How's it all going for you?

I mean, it's obviously, it's a massive and a rapid kind of like explosion of branches for you.

Yeah.

So it's been a very, very busy start to the year.

At the very start of the year, we took on five new branches, which was Bristol, Exeter, Western Super Mare, Croydon and Poole, which were all ex ATS branches.

So that was sort of the start of the year, really busy.

And then in April we opened another 13.

So again, really, really busy year.

And they've all settled in really well.

We were lucky enough to have all the colleagues transfer across via Tupi, which is brilliant.

So we've got lots of really long standing members of staff, the longest being 48 years service at ATS.

And they've obviously transferred across and we're so grateful that they've stayed across with us and it's been brilliant.

There's that continuity for customers, they know the team, the team has stayed with us.

So, yeah, it's gone really smoothly actually.

And we've just been really grateful to meet so many great staff that have come across to us.

And you've got the horse on stand, you've got the tyre, I mean, how important is it, you know, how much interest is that kind of getting over there?

Yes, so the horse is creating a lot of interest.

It's obviously eight foot tall, massive, catches your eye when you walk past people sort of asking questions, where's it come from?

Who's made it?

So it actually came over from the Netherlands, so an artist called Randy van Lingen made it and we've borrowed it off Vridestein tires.

So they transported it all the way from the Netherlands to Goodwood for this event.

And yes, it's definitely caught a lot of people's attention.

Been really good conversation starter, I'd say.

So they come on, look at the horse and then look around thinking, oh, elite garages, what do they do?

And it gives us a chance to start that conversation and talk about our business.

Now, it wasn't just all about aftermarket.

There were several important new cars there.

There was, for example, mg, which launched its two new concepts, the Cyber and the Go.

MG has a good track record of bringing concepts to reality.

The Cyberster, for example, was a concept car that is now a market presence.

BMW bought its newer Class, which was a fantastic look and again showcasing the future of the German automotive industry.

But the biggest presence by far was BYD with their Denza and their Yangwang brands.

Alongside the main BYD brand, an off roading center outside the stand, it was absolutely packed.

Now, they did bring, of course, their impressive range of sports cars, but the BYD brand with the ATTO 2, the Seal U, the Dolphin, Surf, all of those were there.

And those are the cars the garages are more likely to see.

But alongside that with the mg, we also had Omoda, Jku, Chery and Lepus, their new brand.

The new brand from Cherry at the event.

And that's not to say that there were more Chinese brands present.

Google Festival of Speed really is turning into a motor show and giving a great opportunity to see just what is coming down the road.

And this year was no exception.

Now you can get a full review coming up on the auto repair focus YouTube channel and on autorepairfocus.com but one thing I do have to do is give a big thank you to Lamborghini, who I spent a lot of time with.

I interviewed their design director ahead of the launch of the new Urus Performante and you can listen to that in a future podcast episode.

So make sure to subscribe and follow wherever you get your podcast from.

But they also gave me opportunity to go up the hill in the Lamborghini Revolto.

And my word, 100.

And did I feel it again?

Check out social media.

I'll be posting a video on that very soon, but here's a little snippet of what it sounded like before I throw Back to the studio.

Sam.

And back to the studio we are and not in the car anymore so I can talk a bit more freely.

And one of the subjects I want to talk to you about at the moment is the photo mot.

Now, last year the dvsa, I have to say dvsa and I have to say it slowly in my head because I always get SA and LA confused.

But the DVSA launched a trial or two around photo MOTs.

Now, if you're not aware, that basically means when the car is in the garage and crucially in the MOT bay, technicians are taking a photograph of the car in the bay and uploading it along with their findings on the mot.

Now there's, there's several regulations around this.

You can't take a photograph of the car outside the garage.

You can't take a photograph of part of the car.

The front of the car must be clear.

The license plate, registration plate must be clear as well.

Sorry, I went a bit us there, but you, you need to make sure that the car is visible clear and it's clear that it's being worked on as well.

And the idea behind this, as mentioned in the news earlier on, is to reduce the likelihood of ghost mots.

There's been a rise in ghost mots over the last few years, including Facebook groups that are advertising them quite freely, whether they're scams or not.

These are where you get an MOT certificate, for want of a better word, because obviously you don't get the paper MOT certificate anymore and I miss those.

Actually, I've still got one from my old Mark 4 escort.

I've had several from my Mark 4 escort randomly used to pass with flying colors, even though I was modifying it.

Anyway, I digress.

You can get the MOT certificate or the MOT pass without actually taking your car to a test center.

So if you have a dodgy exhaust or stretch tyres on your wheels, you can, you can get away with it, basically.

Some drivers, however, are using it to bypass the MOT itself because it saves them money.

They know that there's a problem.

They know, for example, they've got dodgy tires or their brakes are worn down or there's a really weird knocking noise coming from the back left corner that they know won't get through the MOT, but they haven't got 2, 3, 400 pound to repair it.

So don't go and get a ghost MOT, pay £100 for that, but it will save them time later on.

So the DVSA wants to crack down this and the photo portion of the MOT test is what they can do.

And buried away in a multitude of updates that were announced on the Matters of Testing blog by the DVSA was the announcement that after a couple of trials, MOT photos will be rolled out this year.

Now, for me it makes perfect sense.

Obviously a journalist covering the industry, I know all about the rising ghost mots.

I know all about the efforts that drivers will go to to circumvent spending any money, full stop, to be completely honest with you.

But in a post on our LinkedIn page there were there was support for the MOT, but a couple of questions were raised which I'd like to ask you the audience about now.

Please do get in touch with me here.

I want to hear your opinions on this, I really do.

And it will probably form part of a video feature that I'm putting together at the moment on the photo MOT and the MOT in general.

So drop me a line philtorepairfocus.com I'll leave that link in the show notes, but it's P h I l autorepairfocus.com you should know my name by now.

Anyway, I want to know what you think about this because some people have said that it does add another element of work to the mot.

Having to take a photo, transfer the photo, upload a photo.

I don't know yet what the situation is whether you'll be able to use garage tablets, whether you need to do something else.

I'd imagine it'd be quite simple, to be honest with you.

But does it add more work?

Do you agree with the photo portion of the mot?

Is it going to safeguard and make roads safer or is it just more red tape that's tied up in.

I'm all for it, but don't take my word for it.

Send me your views.

But it was interesting that it was slightly buried in that announcement because there has been a lot of talk, even the mass media recently.

Well, recently, last year, picked up on the trials and effectively reported as if it was going to be.

It was already rolled out, it was there.

And the response from the public wasn't positive.

There were a lot of people saying, it's.

It's more bureaucracy, it's Big Brother, a thing about trust.

Of course, there's a lot of dodgy garage talk anyway, which I will get into on another episode, because it's just absolutely wrong.

And, you know, for.

Well, I will.

I will champion this industry as much as I possibly can and against perceptions and stereotypes.

I may have left a couple of comments on news forums as a result.

But it's interesting that the public isn't as embracing as I expect the garage industry would be.

And that just highlights to me that drivers don't really get the mot.

There's several who are saying, well, you know, they can't.

They can do this or they can do that, or garages can.

Can take X, Y and Z, or for.

They.

They don't.

They didn't pick this up on my mot.

I didn't pick that up on my mot.

And again, it's.

It's all.

The MOT is a test, it's not a service.

And I think you want to get a service, you want to get some repaired.

If you know it's there, then why not book it in for service and get things repaired as well?

The photo portion of the MOT is purely to avoid ghost MOTs.

It's purely to prove that the car is in the garage.

And in my mind, I don't know why we haven't done this before with digital technology.

Digital photography has been around for dozens of years now, so why is this new all of a sudden?

But it was buried away and I don't know if that was a way of trying to quietly announce that it's coming to testers and garage owners without spiking public interest so much.

It really was a last addition to a list of things.

But it's coming and you may need to be prepared for it because you might get drivers who are.

I don't want to photograph my car taken.

Well, why wouldn't you?

It might take a little bit more work to do.

What I will say is that stay tuned to auto Repair focus because we'll bring you more on this.

I have reached out to DVSA and I hope to be interviewing someone from there very soon.

But be aware, Photo Motion is coming.

What are your views on this?

Give me a shout.

Philtorfocus.com.

Now it's also worth noting that this week on the 16th of July, so if you're listening to this on the 17th or afterwards, you missed out.

This week is GSF Tech Fest in the Midlands taking place in Coventry.

Now I was at the GSF Tech Fest in Newcastle earlier this year.

I've been to the Wembley event and it was my first time going up north to see just how different Tech Fest is in a different venue.

Wembley is bonkers.

It's an underground car park, it's loud, it's noisy, it's a proper festival.

But I was really impressed that that energy was taken into Newcastle and the arena in which the Tech Fest festival was held.

So I'm expecting more of the same in Coventry.

And it's really.

I really like what GSF have done here with the, the north, the Midlands and the south events as well.

And there's always a bit of interactivity, there's a real festival atmosphere.

But to tell us more about it, I spoke to Steve Horn, the CEO of GSF Car Parts, and I asked him a myriad of questions about TechFest, what it means to GSF, but also more on the wider automotive aftermarket, including things like electric vehicles, where GSF really has got a top down view, supplying into garages and understanding a bit more about the industry.

It was a really great chat with Steve and you can listen to it now.

Steve, first of all, thank you for joining me.

No, appreciate your time and taking the time to come here.

And we're at GSF TechFest in Newcastle.

I mean, first of all, how's the show been today for you?

Well, it's early days but, you know, within the first hour And a half, two hours, we had over 500 people attend.

And Newcastle is different to other Tech Fests we've done, we've always done Manchester, Coventry, the big urban areas, but we couldn't reach all of our customers.

So I wanted to try something that was a bit more regionalised, a Little bit smaller, but trying to keep that Tech Fest environment and give everything that TechFest does to the customer.

I would be happy today if we had a thousand people.

I think you just heard it's only, you know, half six.

We've already had that thousand.

And that will be amazing.

Improves the concept that will allow us to take this to another six, eight locations around the country.

And, I mean, what was the thinking behind Tech Fest?

Because this began in 24, didn't it, at Wembley?

And then you expanded it out last year, and you've got a, you know, you've got a good run for this year as well.

What was behind what inspired the event in the first place?

So I'll take no credit for the idea.

Sukhba said to me, steve, we've got to do something that creates a different feel in the market.

And the concept has got to be giving back to the customer, not a trade fair.

It's got to be something giving back to customer.

And then we developed Tech Fest and that first one in 24 in a Wembley car park on a Wednesday night that was actually raining and cold.

We had no idea if anyone was going to turn up.

No idea.

And we've done all this work, spent all this money, and it was amazing.

You know, we had over 3,000 customers, customers come through the doors, and the feedback was incredible.

And so we knew we were onto something.

And all we've done since then is develop it and push the boundaries.

And, you know, today out there, seeing families, you know, wife's kids, you know, coming, as well as the garage owners, you know, we've put on the kids zone.

We've got a wellness zone.

You know, it's growing and growing and developing.

Everyone we do, but this one now, knowing that we can attract the right number of people, we will now be able to take this to more and more of our customers.

But the ethos, the key of Tech Vest is about giving back to our customers.

Because that's the thing, isn't it?

I mean, like you said, you know, you've got families here, you've got.

We're going after hours now.

And, you know, I was at Wembley last year and I've been to many sort of, you know, car festivals and shows and things like that, and that was the real vibe that you had.

I mean, again, how important is it to have an event where you can.

You can bring your family, you've got loads of interactivity out there.

The kids zone itself, how important is that?

In today's aftermarket, it is so important.

You know, I'm sure you've been to as many trade events as I've been.

Thank you.

You know, they all have a place, but actually they're quite sterile, you know, and, you know, you go, you get your goodie bag, you have a talk with the supplier and you leave.

But you know, there is no or no real interaction and suppliers were feeding that back to us.

So their brief is quite clear that the welcome to be here, the more the better.

But they've got to have an interactive stamp, they've got to create a bit of fun, they've got to be, you know, to attract the customers to it and create that kind of car fest, festival kind of atmosphere, but they've got to get some out of it as well.

And what we've found is the level of conversation and the openness because customers are relaxed is completely different to a trade fair.

And so suppliers are getting so much more out of it than they do from a trade fair.

They're getting that honest feedback, you know, good or bad.

They've been able to ask questions, show new technologies and get feedback, feedback from the customers and they just do not get that level of interaction.

The other element is so the customers coming, having fun interaction, great food and drink, they're getting to connect with our team, but they're also being able to talk to that supplier as well and walk away with all that knowledge.

So it's a win, win, win, I call it, for the suppliers, for the customers and for us.

And you had the first event in Wembley last year.

You expanded, you had north, middle south.

How important is that coverage, that whole UK coverage, gsf, really important.

But I think we will go forward keeping a Coventry in Wembley.

I think we will then have one, two or three regionals as well, because I do want everyone to be able to benefit from TechFest.

As I say, it's not a trade fair, it's a give back to our customers and all our customers deserve to attend Tech Vest.

So we will move it more regionally as well.

Still keep the two big national ones, but also do some regional surroundings as well.

Now, in terms of GSF itself, since Sukpal took over the industries, the Factor Group, since you've come on board, you know, the company has grown.

I mean, first of all, how much work has gone into that and secondly, how proud are you to see, you know, that, you know, all these garages engaging with gsf?

Well, very proud.

And, you know, it's kind of a confirmation that what we're doing is right because if the garages aren't buying from you or don't turn up to these events or don't support you, then why are we here?

And you know, I've been in the industry on and off over 20 years and to be a factor, you've got to add value to the market.

You know, you've got your suppliers, you've got your customers and we're in the middle and we don't have a right to exist unless we add value and have a reason.

And having stock close to the customer, product development and, you know, knowledge and advice is always important, but we've got to add value.

Different to what a garage needs.

Sorry, different to what the market is doing today.

And so coming in, our strategies was all about developing those differences, being easiest to trade with, being absolutely customer focused.

And I know a lot of businesses say that, but I'll give you a real example.

Twice a year, my whole senior team, I have out round branches over a three day, the same three days each.

Each of them visit three branches, one a day and each branch they visit 10 customers.

So we get in those three days to visit 75 branches and over 700 customers.

And the reason for that is to make sure we are connected to the market, connected to our customer and connected to our branch teams so that we truly understand the decisions we make.

Sat in a nice little boardroom, actually, what the impact is going to be on the customer.

Serviceure is another good example.

We just relaunched service, sure, but that concept was developed by garages.

You know, who are we to sit and say this is what you need.

You tell us what you need and we'll develop it.

That is going to add a benefit to you, a benefit to us and a benefit to their customer.

And that's exactly what we've done with Serviceure.

And again, comes back to this customers king, which you'll hear us talking about.

All the time, because I was going to ask about Serviceure because obviously you had the conference start this year, you've had the relaunch.

Again, is this an example of just what GSF is doing for the future to make sure that your customers in the garages are not just looked after but also prepared themselves for what the future is going to bring?

Exactly that.

And you know, service shore has been a part of GSF for many years, but as a lot of GSF lack the investment and the focus it's needed.

So we relaunched it last year, back end of last year, we already have 450 garages signed up on the new concept.

The aim is by the end of this year to have 800 plus in excess of 200 with our partner in Scotland, Dingbro, which gives us a full national coverage of the uk allowing those national warranties.

So if your car fixed in Essex, you can get it fixed in Scotland.

You know, it gives that customer confidence, but also offering free training days and helping, as you say, the garages develop with those new technologies and being ready as that technology is coming into the now.

In terms of new technologies, I heard the guys talking earlier on the aftermarket is changing rapidly.

I mean my personal.

We look at the new car market and we see the number of electric vehicles that are being sold, we see how petrol and diesel sales are declining.

But then if we look at the car park, we look at the used car park, we actually see a bit of a different picture.

Transactions declining a little bit in petrol, diesel, but not as much.

And there's still, you know, in the hundreds of thousands every quarter.

So do you think that, you know from an aftermarket point of view that the aftermarket is essential to the future of the UK automotive industry?

And you know, at the same point, should garages be really sort of thinking about future technologies alongside that?

So it's quite interesting.

I'm finding the aftermarket polarizing.

So there is a generation of the IMT who say that in my lifetime it's not going to affect me, not interested in new technologies.

And then there is a proportion of the IMT that actually want to invest and develop and many of them done it but actually got burnt because the growth of EVs has been much, much slower than anyone anticipated.

And today only accounts of about 4,4% of the car park.

Actually what we're seeing is the UK car park continue to age.

You know, it was about 7.8 years pre Covid is now sitting at 9.7 and forecast to go in excess of 10.

And interestingly that's still one of, not one of.

It's still the youngest car park in Europe.

Okay, so that ice engine, diesel engine is around for a long time to come.

But going back to your new car sales, it's actually hybrids that are selling more at the moment.

You know, in March and April, Jacob was the fastest selling car in the UK Chinese brand.

And people often think, well it's ev, no Chinese brand, but it's ev.

And so I think the change that's coming quicker is the brand of car more than the end the arts engine.

Again, very true because we've got, I Think I counted it last week.

We've got about 13 or 14 new entrants and I was at the SMMT test day last week driving.

Most of the cars I drove are from the newer brands, the Chinese brands, your cherries, your Omodas, jagilies.

So it feels like the independent sector has to try and keep up with that.

But at the same point, they've got a bit of time, haven't they, to prepare for that?

Because it's not going to come in.

Straight away, are they, time?

Although we are.

You know, what we saw the growth of Chinese brands, which started about three years ago, are starting to come into the aftermarket now.

So, yes, they got time, but the servicing of a hybrid is not dramatically different to a full ICE engine.

And so until EVs become a much bigger part of it, I think that time's extended and hence, I say the aftermarket as we know it today are.

There will be a gradual change, obviously, but I think it's a slower burn than expected.

The beauty from our side is, whether it be petrol, a diesel, a hybrid or ev, they all need parts and there's been some studies come out of Norway and Sweden, which are the most mature EV market.

So they've now got studies for 10 years of EVs.

They fail as much.

What they are saying it's a 1.5 times cost of repairs to an ICE engine.

They're failing their MOTs as much as ICE engine.

They still need, you know, steering, suspension, braking, lubricants have still got a normal battery.

So there's nothing to fear.

You've just got to accept it might be a slightly different way, actually for a workshop.

An EV is much cleaner than working on a petrol engine and actually the technical side of it should attract more of the younger generation, which we all want to see.

But I don't think the aftermarket has anything to fear.

But we are, you know, one of our roles as all factors is to help them through that journey.

Now, I've got to ask, when you came into gsf, obviously, just after the acquisition, what were your first thoughts when you.

When you took on the role, when you came in and you saw where GSF was, were you excited by the challenge?

Did you see it as a challenge?

Did you think you could be, you know, the company could be where it is today?

So I actually was part of the acquisition team, so me and Sopal used to meet up.

I was in the Middle east at the time and we used to meet up all around the world and what a lot of people don't know is five years before we acquired it, acquired gsf, we tried to acquire it before.

We'd always known GSF was a good company but underinvested and didn't have a clear direction.

So once we heard that LKQ were buying Uni select, we knew that uniselect had diverse of gsf.

So both phoned each other, says, do we want to go for this?

Yes.

What do we think we can do?

So I built a five year plan of what I thought GSF could, could be and where we needed to go and we had to sell that to investors as well.

Three years on, we've already exceeded that five year plan, okay.

So we always knew with the right investment, the right motivation, that GSF could get where it needed to be.

What GSF has done is exceeded that.

And whereas when we acquired the business, you know, our goal was to be the cemented number two in the uk.

We are absolutely focused now and clear that we will now be the UK number one.

It will take us another three years to get there.

But the track and growth that we're seeing, that we have seen in the last three years and this year we're already 25% up on last year year to date, you know, we are clear we will get to that number one spot.

And the last question from me is what are you most looking forward to about the future?

Me, I love this industry.

Okay.

I love being in it, I think.

And what I think GSF will do is change the industry.

I think we will play that true role of what a motor factor should be.

Now I mentioned about supply chain, you've got your suppliers, you've got your customers.

But actually that middle part is changing today.

You know, where big players were consolidating the market.

Today it's the small regional players who are growing, who are opening branches and we will be part of that.

So we will be the big player operating at a local level.

And so being part of that change and supporting the industry through the changes gone through is going to be my biggest thing.

And you know, the other thing I'm very proud of what a great team we've got in gsf.

You know, we've.

Our new branding is do yourself proud.

It's something I really believe in.

And you know, they do themselves proud every day and seeing that in action is something that, yeah, it makes me feel proud.

I have got to say, sort of looking around and seeing everybody in the, in the orange T shirts and orange is the auto repair focus brand color.

So I absolutely love it.

So, yes, I will be rock that.

It means we don't hide.

When you're out there, you cannot miss who works for gsf.

That is very true.

That is what we want.

You know, we're here, we want to interact, we want to talk.

And so, yeah, I agree.

So next time at Tech Fest, I'll just make sure I'm just in a.

In a different colours.

I don't get in the way.

Love it.

Thank you.

Absolute pleasure.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Appreciate it.

And that is it for this episode of Auto Transmission.

Thank you so much for listening.

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