The HCVA represents the collective voice of the hundreds of small and medium enterprises who provide services across the historic and classic vehicle sector, supported by the individuals and enthusiasts who rely on them.
Through collaboration, transparency and proactive lobbying the HCVA seeks to increase awareness and education of the sectors economic and social benefits, to ensure those responsible for policy and regulation are challenged and held accountable, to promote sustainable innovation and technologies and to ensure the HCVA member community is engaged and confident their voices will be heard.
Since HCVA’s formation in 2021, a number of pivotal steps have ensured the historic motoring industry can be more confident of its future. 2024 is undoubtedly HCVA’s most successful and influential year to date, with the HCVA making significant progress across their key pillars of legislation & policy, environment & sustainability, education & skills and community.
Instrumental in the formation of the DVLA’s Historic Vehicle User Group in 2021, the well-coordinated engagement with the DVLA and Department for Transport finally paid off earlier this year, when then Secretary of State for Transport, Mark Harper announced a government Call for Evidence in relation to how the DVLA treats historic vehicles at an HCVA facilitated meeting at Bicester Heritage. Both he and senior DVLA figures came away with a much better understanding of the scale and skills within the historic vehicle sector. A substantial number of businesses responded, and excellent progress is being made, with DVLA assurance to share findings with industry, via the HCVA and other HVUG members. This ensures any changes or clarification of policy proposed in relation to repairs and restoration are ‘fit for purpose’ ahead of conclusion.
Another key milestone was introduction of the HCVA Heritage Matters Days (HMD). The first of these was October 2023 where over 100 trade members attended to hear Greg Smith MP, and a Q&A with Dudley Ashford and Gareth Jones, from DVLA Corporate Services. Other key sessions included insights on Sustainable Fuels and how to better engage with a younger audience. The second HMD2 event was held in late April and focused on progress made with sustainable fuels. Action on Parts was another HCVA initiative that was further expanded this year and a panel of three key OEM representatives joined a discussion on parts quality issues and concerns and HCVA led solutions. The HCVA’s ongoing commitment to recruitment and training was expertly captured in a presentation by Owain Johns of the Heritage Skills Academy.
This August, the HCVA hosted the first sustainable fuels roundtable, attended by each of the major producers of sustainable fuel. These fuels are becoming a realistic solution towards a more environmentally friendly future for historic motoring and the HCVA will continue to bring sustainable fuel producers together regularly to encourage collaboration and enhance innovation and development.
The third Heritage Matters Day event (HMD3) was held recently on 3 October and welcomed the return of the DVLA. HMD3 focus was ‘The Future’ with fresh updates in relation to Sustainable Fuels, recruitment and apprenticeships, and market analysis being just a few of the topics covered. Networking opportunities are also a key attraction at these days, this one kindly hosted by Jaguar Land Rover Classic, illustrating how the OEMs also value and agree that our “Heritage Matters’’.
The HCVA team deserves industry recognition for the tireless work on its campaigns that address and secure solutions to industry-wide challenges and the alliance remains unwavering in its mission to ensure that our motoring heritage is preserved long into the future.
