HiQ Opens £2 million Tyre Centre in Leeds

HiQ franchisee North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts opened a new £2 million fast fit centre in Leeds at the end of 2009. HiQ representatives called the one-acre development “the best of its kind in Europe.” Stocking 20,000 tyres, featuring 12 bays and boasting some of the most modern vehicle diagnostic equipment in the country, the HiQ centre in Gelderd Road aims to alter age-old perceptions of fast fit centres and remove the fear associated with visiting them. The new site will create eight jobs.

Operational Project Manager Tim Darcy said: “This centre really does set the benchmark for others to follow and we have not seen anything to rival this development anywhere across Europe. It offers a drive-thru style service for motorists, in one of the most contemporary, stylish environments possible.”

North Eastern Tyres, which runs 15 HiQ centres in the north of England, said the development would “amaze” motorists who often associate fast fit centres with unclean, unwelcoming places

Tim Darcy added: “One of our number one objectives with this project was to amaze, and exceed customer expectations. We have created a light, warm atmosphere which allows people to see all the work that is being done on their vehicles. The fast fitter who may get oily trousers, will never be sitting on the same seat that you will be either. And your seat will be a comfortable leather sofa, where you can relax and enjoy a nice cappuccino and access your e-mails through our free wi-fi connection.”

The HiQ network is attempting to revolutionise the fast fit sector by creating transparency and peace of mind for customers, after a Which? survey found that customers have a 73 per cent dissatisfaction with service in the automotive industry. The network’s new positioning – ‘fast fit you can be sure of’ – is set to become more apparent in the coming months, with more investment allocated for improved customer environments in 2010.

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