Pit Stop, the fast-fit group belonging to Kwik-Fit (and thus, ultimately, Ford) is pushing ahead with plans to open up to 400 centres in Germany within the next two years. Pit Stop focuses on exhausts, brakes, shock absorbers, etc., as well as selling tyres.
TYRES & ACCESSORIES, on hearing stories of a Continental sale of National Tyres and Autocare decided to put the question to National. In response to enquiries about the possible sale by Continental, Roger Hawkins, Managing Director of National’s Retail division told TYRES & ACCESSORIES, “Continental has no immediate plans to sell National Tyres, rather it has invested a considerable amount into the fast-fit chain in the past 18 months on branch refurbishment and acquisition of “High Street” locations and will soon be unveiling an ambitious new fleet programme.” National Tyres and Autocare is a wholly owned subsidiary of Continental AG and reports to Continental AG in Germany. If the Equity were to be sold off it would send shock-waves through the UK retail and wholesale trade.
The BRV invited its members to attend its annual meeting in Weimar, historically one of the most famous cities in Eastern Germany. BRV President Ludwig did not have only good things to talk about, as he believes that margins will fall even further and the tyre trade cannot afford more pressure on margins. He mentioned Michelin and Goodyear as brands sold to car dealers at prices which are unrealistic and, due to the fact that tyre dealers have not been successful in the fast-fit field, President Ludwig urged tyre manufacturers to give tyre dealers better buying prices than car dealers. The association also expressed concern that tyre manufacturers might establish direct selling contacts with big fleets.
Kwik-Fit Fleet has picked up its 31st award since the company began in 1987. This latest accolade comes from the Institute of Transport Management, which named the company “Best European Fast-Fit”. ITM has selected KFF as the UK’s best fast-fit for the past six years.
A report in the magazine Which? – published by the UK Consumers Association (CA) – has accused fast-fits of recommending unnecessary work in almost a quarter of cases. The CA took a test car to 93 depots, belonging to seven of the UK’s largest fast-fit chains, and says that 23, split across all seven chains, recommended unnecessary work. In response, one of the companies involved – Kwik-Fit – says that it has not been given detailed information by the CA but, on behalf of all the companies involved, it takes exception to the implication that so many in the trade would intentionally mislead the customer.
Kwik-Fit has been trialling a new, three-stage car care concept at a site in Edinburgh, offering motorists a service beyond that of a standard fast-fit operation. Fault diagnosis and mechanical rectification are available on the same site, as well as the usual fast-fit services. The concept is ready to roll out at selected locations in the UK and could transfer to mainland Europe. Five years qgo, Kwik-Fit launched its insurance scheme for motorists. Originally planned only as a telemarketing operation, the idea to offer insurance was an afterthought, which it was hoped would offset some of the costs. Read how the operation has grown to become the biggust outbound call centre in the insurance industry, plus a significant contributor to group profits.
In a report in its magazine Which? the Consumers Association criticises UK fast-fits, accusing them of recommending unnecessary work on customers’ vehicles. What do you think? Is such criticism justified? Is dishonesty rife in the fast-fit trade? Or is Which? overstating the problem? Whatever your connection with the tyre trade, or if you are a customer, we welcome your opinions and ideas. Read our article (PDF file, size: 44.5 kbytes, Adobe Acrobat Reader required) first and e-mail us your comments – this is a matter which has profound implications for the image of fast-fits and this is your chance to have your say.
In the UK, the Asda supermarket chain is said to be looking at the possibility of opening car fast-fit businesses. Asda is owned by Wal-Mart, which operates “tyre and lube” centres at its stores in the USA. An Asda spokesperson said that the company had no plans to launch “tyre and lube” in the UK at present, although the possibility is being evaluated.
A report by the Consumers Association says that UK franchised motor dealers cannot compete effectively against rivals in every area of business, from new car sales to servicing. When it comes to repairs and sales of spare parts, the dealers cannot match prices and performance of competitors such as the large fast-fit chains, the study concludes.
Renault has introduced a fast-fit and system check for cars three years and older. The check includes tyres and shock absorbers and will be extended to other Renault models shortly.
At the recent conference of the UK National Tyre Dealers Association (NTDA), Chairman of Council Ashley Croft announced that the Rapid-Fit chain of retailers had applied for membership. Rapid-Fit consists of 300+ fast-fit depots, owned by individual Ford car dealers. This will bring the number of centres in NTDA membership to more than 2,000.
In two weeks time, Kwik-Fit will open its first fast-fit centre in Warsaw, Poland. Another six, purpose-built centres are scheduled to be opened in Poland in the near future.
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