During the first containment due to the coronavirus, car dealerships and factories were forced to close their doors.

A disastrous situation for the industry, which is fighting so that history does not repeat itself.

Automotive professionals therefore asked the government, a few hours before Jean Castex spoke, to reopen their businesses.

A few hours from the announcements of the Prime Minister, Jean Castex, supposed to toughen the measures to fight against the coronavirus, the automotive industry is asking the government to reopen the concessions.

She fears that she will eventually be forced to close the factories as last spring.

If the professionals were satisfied to have obtained the possibility of ensuring "click and collect", they realize that once the orders placed at the end of October are delivered, their activity collapses.

The National Council of Automotive Professionals is already talking about 80% fewer orders since the start of this second confinement.

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Restrictions difficult to understand 

Those in charge of concessions ensure they are ready to reopen in complete safety in terms of health.

And these dealers have an argument for this, since, in fact, they already welcome customers: those who ordered their car before the end of October.

With the barrier gestures and the size of the premises, the sanitary restrictions are all the more difficult for professionals in the sector to understand. 

"The protocols are in place, we disinfect the cars. They are closed in the hall and we disinfect each time the customer gets in. We could easily go up to 10 or 15m2 per customer, that would not be a problem. The solution of making staggered appointments to welcome customers could be a completely secure and lasting solution in terms of health, "explains Philippe Dugardin, automobile distributor in Hauts-de-France. 

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The man sells ten brands in his eleven dealerships and a resumption of activity, at least by appointment, would save him the frustration of recent days.

"It is all the more annoying that this very day we still received requests from customers who wish to have information, or even be able to test vehicles. We are heading for a loss of 70% of orders," he adds. he.

The trade-in trap

Cash flow problems will therefore quickly reappear: one in two sales is made with a trade-in offer.

"We write a check to the customer but we cannot then resell the used cars", regret many dealers.

They hope that the government will do everything to prevent the closure of the auto factories and make a concession to them.