News

Ford trade parts supplier @First Parts Solutions has moved to a new distribution centre in Essex.
The move has effectively doubled the supplier’s offerings, increasing stock capacity to over five million parts across 45,000 lines.

[caption id="attachment_6807" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Joe Elliott "][/caption]

“I think it's difficult to predict what’s going to happen in the market with all the problems that are about. The cost of fuel is one problem, and also the fact that cars these days are leaving the factory with so much equipment on them.

[caption id="attachment_1885" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Peter Cox"][/caption]

“There are three current trends that will set the agenda over the next twelve to twenty four months and contribute significantly to the market size and dynamic over the next five years.

[caption id="attachment_6921" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Milko Wolf"][/caption]

"Despite the consolidation in the industry we’ve witnessed over the last few years, there is still over-supply at many levels of the distribution chain. Therefore it is likely that there will be further consolidation, particularly amongst suppliers and distributors.

[caption id="attachment_6920" align="alignright" width="150" caption="David Kent"][/caption]

“So let’s focus on the independent automotive aftermarket retailer.  Right now, the next five years could seem a daunting prospect. Not only is the economic climate endlessly miserable but just when everyone had stocked up with winter products there was barely a frost!

[caption id="attachment_6917" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Brian Spratt"][/caption]

“There will be a lot of people out of it because they just won’t be able to cope with stocking and technology.

It will be interesting to see which of the big boys are still around. You might think that they’ll all still be here, but history teaches us otherwise.”

Brian Spratt

THIS MONTH'S QUESTION: Where will the industry be in five years time?

"I think that it is generally agreed that the future of the industry is going to become more challenging for various reasons; including complex vehicle technology, longer service schedules, customer service expectations and political influences on competence and accountability, all these issues will reduce the number of Independent Repairers able to work on the modern vehicle.

[caption id="attachment_6934" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Andy Savva"][/caption]

"I think that it is generally agreed that the future of the industry is going to become more challenging for various reasons; including complex vehicle technology, longer service schedules, customer service expectations and political influences on competence and accountability, all these issues will reduce the number of independent repairers able to work on the modern vehicle.

CAT garage lives: Blue Peter Garage, Basingstoke

Battery manufacturer Yuasa has announced its title sponsorship of the Honda Racing Dunlop MSA BTCC team. The new three-year deal will see Yuasa featured on the team’s brand new Honda Civic, which recently had its livery unveiled at Honda HQ in Swindon.