Catloc teams up with Kwik-Fit and Halfords

Catalytic Converter (CAT), Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) and Exhaust Theft protection market leaders Catloc have just confirmed Halfords Autocentres and Kwik Fit as their new national fitting partners. With CAT, DPF and exhaust theft on the increase in the UK, Catloc wanted to ensure that potential customers had easy access to fitting of their solutions and to partner with a fast fit chain who had the size and experience in covering the whole of the UK. With over 900 centres between them nationwide; Kwik Fit and Halfords Autocentres were the obvious choices.

Over 25,000 vehicles were targeted by thieves between January 2010 and June 2013. It was believed that the majority of these vehicles targeted were vans, 4x4s, pickup trucks, people carriers and motor homes. However, according to the results of a recent freedom of information request, there is a growing trend for thieves to target any vehicle with a Catalytic Converter including saloons, hatchbacks and sports cars. Thieves target Catalytic Converters as they contain precious metals like Platinum or Gold and are easily removed with no specialist tools required. Thieves can then sell on the parts either via the second hand parts market or to scrap dealers for anywhere between £50 and £400. However, the cost to vehicle owner of replacement is on average a hefty £2,000, with some costing up to £10,000.
Catloc have developed several solutions to protect vehicles from this type of theft utilising either universal or bespoke fitment products for a wide range of vehicles. All of their solutions contain a Police & Thatcham approved Catloc marking & registration system which is also available as a separate product.

Halfords Autocentres and Kwik Fit are able to fit Catloc solutions purchased either from themselves directly or from elsewhere. Catloc solutions include a fitting voucher with all of their products purchased from 24th March 2014 which entitles the bearer to have their Catloc fitted at either a Kwik Fit branch or Halfords Autocentres branch for only £29.95 inclusive of VAT.

Catloc’s Managing director – Paul Chase said “Partnering with Halfords and Kwik Fit was an obvious choice for us as they are both well known brands who are trusted in the market place. We believe these partnerships will offer motorists & fleet operators an easy and cost effective way of protecting vehicles from Catalytic Converter Theft”.

Catloc is the only company in the UK to focus solely on a solution to the problem of CAT, DPF and exhaust theft. Their solutions are approved, recommended and supported by vehicle manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz, Ford, Renault and Volkswagen. Many large fleets also specify their solutions as standard equipment on new vehicles such as BT, PHS and Balfour Beatty. Having protected around 40,000 vehicles in 2013, Catloc are now seeking to increase their already healthy market share by working with other OEM vehicle manufacturers, distribution partners and resellers across the UK and Europe.