Kwik Fit is showing signs that at least part of the vast independent fast fit network is evolving in the direction of autocentre style garages. According to online news sources this is part of a bid to increasingly target fleet business – an area the business is historically strong in – with the offer of servicing and mechanical work.
The Bosch Car Service network is celebrating a decade of existing and scoring 99.5 per cent customer satisfaction for its car servicing and repairs. Originally launched in 2003, the network of independent garages has gone from strength to strength. The latest independent customer satisfaction survey results show that an amazing 99.5 per cent of Bosch Car Service customers would use the network again, based on their overall experience. The scheme was also the first car repair code to achieve key accreditation, helping ensure that customers get a fair deal – first with the Office of Fair Trading and more recently with the Trading Standards Institute.
Trust My Garage (TMG) has experienced a boom in membership since the announcement that the scheme has applied to become a Government backed TSI code.
Following the announcement at the Trading Standards conference in June the number of independent garages wishing to become a TMG member has increased by an unprecedented 20 per cent.
MAHLE Aftermarket is planning a UK roadshow this month to support the recent launch of a range of Behr air conditioning service units.
Hofmann Power Weight has released a new black coloured knock-on weight 161. The company says the weight is a tried and tested top-seller, but the new addition of black powder coating means the zinc weight appears almost invisible when fitted. It adds that the weight’s “premium coating” gives the weight “optimum corrosion resistance”.
Thousands of motorists are driving potentially dangerous cars as the number of vehicles on the road that have previously been written off increases. The National Association of Bodyshops (NAB) has previously called on the Competition Commission to review their position on write-offs during an investigation into the private motor insurance market.
However the Competition Commission say that they have no plans to review this further stating that despite the evidence they received during the investigation, they judged that write-offs were an issue relating to the supply of used cars and not related to the provision of Private Motor Insurance and related goods and services.
Since its launch in April, the number of quality garages that have become Approved Garages members has grown impressively to the current figure of more than 350. However to ensure that this momentum for growth is maintained, network manager Phil Seymour has arranged a series of roadshows to drive the message home. According to the organisation, the roadshows are free to garage owners and will allow those not yet part of the network to see for themselves the benefits it delivers.
Halfords Autocentres reports it has seen its customer satisfaction scores hit 93 per cent following a new customer experience management (CEM) strategy in partnership with Empathica Inc., a provider of Customer Experience Management (CEM) solutions.
Since appointing Empathica 12 months ago, Halfords Autocentres has reviewed the feedback of over 52,000 customers which has allowed the business to implement operational changes that deliver immediate impact to the customer experience. With good value and customer loyalty key measures for the business, customer feedback levels following their visit have been reassuringly positive – with 89 per cent of customers reporting that they received value for money and 87 per cent stating they would recommend Halfords Autocentres to their friends and family.
Marking the anniversary of its two-year/24,000 mile guarantee, Apec Braking is giving away four iPad Minis. Each time a guarantee is registered at the company’s website for every axle set of matching Apec discs and pads before 31 August 2013, the technician will be entered into its prize draw, offering the chance to win an Apple iPad Mini.
Bosch Car Service has become one of the first associations supporting a new UK-wide scheme to strengthen industry self-regulation. The Bosch Car Service national network of independent garages, comprising of over 500 members in the UK and Ireland, intends to provide motorists with an alternative to main dealer car servicing and repair, for all vehicle makes and models.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is set to launch its onsite diagnostic training later this year. Following on from the success of their hybrid training which has so far seen the IGA deliver free training to over 1,250 technicians at more than 500 individual member garages, they are positioned to launch diagnostics training later in 2013.
The unique model will involve IGA staff visiting garages and training technicians to make the best use of their own equipment in "real world" diagnostic situations on customer's cars.
A new Government-backed car MOT and Service business has been launched online offering great savings for car owners nationwide. Approved Garages has over 350 industry approved garages throughout England, Scotland and Wales, with more garages joining every day. The simple online service allows customers to quickly find their nearest reputable garage for all their vehicle requirements, specialising in competitive MOT and Services for all car makes and models.
Although originally scheduled to conclude at the end of May, Hofmann says its Spring/Summer collection will, depending on stock availability, will be available until this autumn. The promotion features a number of special offers for workshops. First up is the Geolite V3D wheel aligner, which Hofmann says delivers fast and accurate real-time alignment measurements and a profitable revenue stream. Workshops can now purchase a Geolite V3D for just £8,099, saving £3,400 on the list price of £11,499. The 3D aligner is also available as a twin pack with a four post, four tonne electro-hydraulic lift, with front turn plates and in-fill paddles worth £645 included, for only £14,499, a saving of almost £6,000 on the list price of £20,494. With the UK’s pothole ridden roads causing misalignment on millions of vehicles, Hofmann says its many garages make over £3,000 per month through its 3D wheel alignment technology.
A new initiative to help garages and tyre retailers across the country has been launched by the Tyre Recovery Association today. The Responsible Retailer Certificate of Compliance will be awarded to retailers meeting best practice standards by a member of the Tyre Industry Federation Responsible Recycler Scheme. The TRA says that the new scheme is designed to help garages and retailers not only to manage their used tyre disposal in line with industry standards; the Responsible Retailer Scheme also aims to help compliant businesses communicate their environmentally responsible credentials to customers. Also launched was a new website, which will contain a searchable database of all certified garages for motorists and of local collectors for retailers.
The finalists for this year's Independent Garage of the Year award have been announced as:
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