Batteries
Varta has added a new 180 amp/hour SHD (Super Heavy Duty) battery, suitable for numerous European heavy truck applications, to its advanced calcium-silver PROmotive range. This range offers 70 per cent coverage of the European commercial vehicle market and, says Varta, it is the first range of 100 per cent, maintenance-free HGV batteries to incorporate the innovative, calcium-silver technology.
Varta Automotive Batteries has made changes to its product distribution, extending its agreement with major supply partner Manbat Ltd. The new distribution arrangements for both Varta and Freedom branded batteries have been introduced to provide improved levels of service to Varta’s network of more than 150 independent agents and support the long-term co-operation with Manbat. Critical to the new arrangement was the agreement of automotive buying group Group Auto Union in accepting Varta and Manbat as joint suppliers.
Manbat, the UK’s largest battery distributor, has launched its new Battery Specification and Application Guide for its Numax brand. The 78-page publication covers essential information on the supply, sale and handling of batteries and is divided into 20 relevant sections.
Unipart Automotive, the UK’s largest independent parts and supplier network, has re-launched its battery offerings and includes a range that beats original equipment (OE) standards.
According to the company, the Unipart Samson battery range consistently out-perform original manufacturer specifications and comes with a four year warranty while the Unipart battery range aims to equal OE standards and comes with a three year guarantee.
Hybrid engines and fuel cell technology are gaining in popularity, but for the foreseeable future at least, all cars will need batteries. And that means a potential profit opportunity for tyre retailers. Having said that, battery manufacturers have been put under intense price pressure in recent months as they have watched the cost of key raw materials (such as lead) skyrocket. Interviewing key market players and analysing recent developments, August’s T&A will bring you the latest information from this additional profit area.
Bosch has been a major player in the automotive battery sector ever since the company began its pioneering work as far back as 1927. Things are very different nowadays from nearly eight decades ago; the addition of electric windows, sunroofs, ABS, air conditioning, other in-car equipment such as DVD players and satellite navigation has resulted in increasing demand on the modern power supply and a reduced battery life. However, continuing investment in research and development ensures that Bosch batteries continue to consistently meet market requirements, with little or no increase in overall size or weight.
Viking International has introduced a special battery promotion to cater for the autumn/winter demand for replacing car batteries. For all the early bird customers who buy 20 Varta or 15 Power Pak batteries before the end of September, Viking is offering a selection of goodies free, such as POS materials, a quality branded fleece and a battery stand worth £50. Customers can also enjoy extended credit terms as part of the offer.
Manbat has become an approved supplier of batteries to automotive buying group Group Auto Union (UK). As part of the agreement, the company, the UK’s largest battery distributor, will offer GAU distributors the high profile Numax and Varta brands of batteries, which both offer 99 per cent coverage of UK car parc.
GAU recognised Manbat for its excellent sales support package, which encompasses high quality cataloguing, point of sale, extensive availability and range of product.
LSUK, which claims to be the largest single supplier of batteries in to the UK automotive, marine, leisure, industrial and commercial industries, is giving proactive garages, fitters and retailers the opportunity to join its battery programme – and reap numerous rewards at the same time. The UK battery market is estimated to be worth £120 million in retail sales every year and LSUK has established itself as a leading player in the sector with the unrivalled service that it can offer. With 52 distribution branches nationwide, LSUK is in the position to offer first class product availability from stock, access to the best brands on the market, and arguably the most competitive pricing structure in the battery sector.
The electronics revolution behind major improvements in auto economy, braking, stability and ride comfort has necessitated a techno-overhaul for the car battery to underpin these functions. Luxury car brands like Bentley, Mercedes-Benz and Rolls Royce were the first to turn to suppliers like Varta for AGM (absorbent glass mat) batteries to cope with increased electrical and electronic consumption, and they have been being swiftly followed by mainstream models like the Audi A3, VW Golf and Passat, not to mention London’s black cab fleet. Now BMW is set to fit a Varta AGM battery as original equipment to the new Mini out later this year to meet the increased electrical demands of the Stop-Start technology it is adopting for this substantially revised model. Varta is Europe’s only supplier of AGM technology batteries to the original equipment market to date, and has a number of long term development programmes with carmakers to support their quest for increased vehicle efficiency and performance improvements.
Maxxis International UK plc is expanding its range of motorcycle and ATV batteries in response to changes in the market’s dynamics and rising demand. A 90-strong range of GS Batteries is sold through Bickers plc, a division of Maxxis International UK plc, along with the most popular Powerite batteries – the company’s own brand product which has now been reintroduced.
Waste disposal specialists working on behalf of the Environment Agency have removed 10,000 tyres from an illegal vehicle dump in Llandegla, Wales. According to reports the tyre pile would have been as tall as Snowdon if the products had been laid end to end.
Traditional dealer fast-fit centres are starting to evolve into “fast-service centres”, according to motor industry consultancy Forester Grant Associates. The company says that the role of the fast-fit is changing. A few years ago the majority of dealers saw the fast-fit concept as way to retain customers of older vehicles – but now their thinking has altered.
Having exhibited at Reifen 2004, The Netherlands-based specialist in industrial tyres – Bandengroothandel Mast B.V. – will once again be inviting both established customers and new contacts to visit their stand at this year’s Essen Show. Examples of the company’s well-established CargoMaster brand of industrial and harbour tyres will be on display and be supported by the LiftGuard brand, which specialises within the budget sector of the industrial market.
Kyoto Japan Tire Corporation Ltd. is a Japanese company specialising in the development, design, manufacture and marketing of various sizes of automotive pneumatic tyres and car batteries for international markets. The company designs and develops its tyres in Japan and produces them in China. Kyoto Japan has marketing offices in strategic countries throughout the world to better serve its demanding clients.
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