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Understandably, drivers tend to blame the cold when their car won’t start on a dark winter’s morning.
But a lot of the issues that come to light in winter can be traced back to warmer summer climes – which means they’re already present in vehicles that are coming into workshops now.
LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched a new initiative to encourage garages to test every vehicle as standard, and reap the benefits in terms of customer loyalty and opportunities to upsell.
Marketing Director Colin Cottrell explains: “This summer we saw prolonged spells of searing heat, which can have severe consequences on the life of a car battery. Extreme temperatures can weaken the battery plates, limiting the amount of charge they can hold or supply on demand, and making them less effective.
“As it gets colder and vehicles’ engine oil becomes more congealed, the engine will require more power to start. And at the same time we rely more on features like lights, heaters and windscreen wipers, which use a lot of charge. That’s why battery issues often don’t present themselves until winter comes around.”
To help technicians prevent a surge in battery failures over the months ahead, LKQ Euro Car Parts has announced the return of its ‘Test to Earn’ initiative. Exclusively available to LKQ Euro Car Parts customers, ‘Test to Earn’ encourages garages to test batteries as standard whenever any vehicle is bought in for servicing and repair.
As well as putting the spotlight on good battery health, the initiative will help workshops generate additional revenue through increased battery sales. Those who sign up will receive a battery tester worth £400, which is theirs to keep if they achieve a pre-agreed three-month target for batteries sold.
Colin Cottrell added: “More than 40% of breakdowns every year in the UK are caused by a faulty battery, and every year thousands of vehicles are towed off to fix a problem that could have been prevented.
“Battery testing doesn’t take long to do and presents a win-win scenario for the technician: if the battery is in good shape then the customer can rest assured that they won’t be caught short, but if the battery is on its way out, the likelihood is that the customer will pay to have it replaced.
“Engaging customers in the process will go a long way towards building trust – and with statistics showing that one in three vehicles entering a workshop requires a new battery, it also represents huge earning potential.”
LKQ Euro Car Parts partners with leading battery brands ERA, Bosch, VARTA and Exide, and recently announced the expansion of its own Starline battery range.
For more information on Test to Earn, including terms and conditions, visit https://omnipart.eurocarparts.com/omnihub/garage-support/batteries
LKQ Euro Car Parts has launched a new, trade-only battery range under its Starline banner to help workshops cater for everything across automotive, commercial, marine and leisure vehicles.
The Starline range covers conventional, absorbed glass mat batteries (AGM) and enhanced flooded batteries (EFB) and 99% of the UK car parc, with a wide range of sizes to choose from so that technicians can get a replacement right first time, every time, regardless of the type of vehicle they are servicing.
As part of the new range, Starline has identified the growing need for start-stop batteries which are available as both AGMs and EFBs and continue to power the electrics of a vehicle even when its engine is in sleep mode.
Due to the summer’s higher-than-usual temperatures putting additional stress on batteries, it’s estimated that one in three vehicles that enters a workshop could require a new one, so testing the battery status as standard represents a huge profit opportunity for garages.
Starline batteries are manufactured using 20 years of European knowledge and experience. Its battery range is manufactured to the highest standards, in line with OE processes and using the latest materials, ensuring they are leak proof, deliver improved starting performance and provide a longer service life. All batteries in the range are backed up with a three-year guarantee.
Colin Cottrell, marketing director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, commented: “The Starline brand is constantly evolving, with a focus on research and development both to enhance existing products and launch new ones.
“Expanding our Starline batteries range will help the garages we support to meet the requirements of commercial and leisure vehicles as well as passenger cars, and offer drivers a trusted branded alternative.
“Offering a choice of products from great brands helps garages empower their customers to make their own decisions when it comes to their vehicles, and is an important way to drive loyalty and trust.”
The Starline range was established in 1999 and today includes more than 35,000 products, covering more than 90% of spare parts for passenger vehicles.
For more information, contact your designated LKQ Euro Car Parts account manager, get in touch with your local branch, or visit https://omnipart.eurocarparts.com/omnihub/our-suppliers/expanding-starline/powering-up
LKQ Euro Car Parts is encouraging independent garages and bodyshops to support good battery health in the run-up to winter with the launch of its ‘Test to Earn’ initiative.
Exclusively on offer to LKQ Euro Car Parts customers, those who sign up will receive a battery tester arming them with the ability to perform a battery test on all vehicles that come in.
As well as putting the spotlight on good battery health, the initiative provides customers with the opportunity to generate additional revenue through increased battery purchases. Those that achieve a pre-agreed three-month target for batteries sold, will also keep the battery tester, worth £400.
The launch of Test to Earn comes with winter – the busiest time of year for battery servicing – around the corner, and battery lifecycles having been negatively impacted by lack of use due to lockdowns. Even before the pandemic, battery failure was the direct cause of 40% of national breakdowns.
Battery testers sent to customers will be able to test batteries up to 3,000 CCA, with as little as 1.5V of residual charge, and are suitable for use on motorcycles, cars, and commercial vehicles. They are fully equipped to test AGM and EFB stop-start batteries, and are designed to detect faults in all battery types.
Each battery tester sent out will be accompanied by a free promotional poster so customers can showcase the service they offer within the garage. And additional materials, including email, social and web banners, are available via LKQ Euro Car Parts’ Omnihub platform.
Colin Cottrell, marketing director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, said: “Test to Earn is our way of communicating the need for garages to test batteries as standard whenever any vehicle is brought in for servicing and repair. Doing so typically takes less than ten minutes, and can help technicians ensure they are providing the most accurate diagnosis, as well as driving additional revenue through battery purchases.
“A battery’s primary response to running flat is to protect a vehicle’s essential functions, so it can begin to cut out non-essential power draining components such as radio, air con and electric windows to preserve energy. This can have a significant impact on driver safety and experience at the wheel.
“As temperatures continue to drop in the weeks ahead, battery faults will come to the surface, so we’re urging garages to get ahead of this as best they can, by offering a battery testing service to every customer that comes through their doors.”
LKQ Euro Car Parts partners with leading battery brands ERA, VARTA and Exide.
For more information on Test to Earn, including terms and conditions, visit https://omnipart.eurocarparts.com/omnihub/garage-support/batteries
With more than six million Brits expected to hit the road for a trip away over the bank holiday*, independent operators across the caravanning, motorhome and marine sector are gearing up for an upturn in battery sales. To meet this expected surge in demand, leading motor factor Euro Car Parts has invested in its own leisure battery offering.
Alongside offering the widest range of car battery products to the UK aftermarket, Euro Car Parts also partners with global leading names in battery technology – including Bosch and Exide as well as its own aftermarket brand Lion – to provide a comprehensive leisure battery offering. From motorhomes to yachts, campsites to campervans, all Euro Car Parts leisure batteries come with a two-year warranty guarantee.
Speaking of the range, Helen Robinson, marketing director at Euro Car Parts, commented: “With the sales of motorhomes, caravans and other recreational vehicles continuing to grow across the UK, our trade customers have seen a real increase in demand for specialist batteries. Recognising this, we have ensured that a full-range of leisure batteries are held in stock across our 330-strong branch network.
“With a series of bank holiday weekends just around the corner, many motorists will be getting their motorhome and caravans ready for a trip, and, invariably, finding a flat or dead battery. Rather than ruining a holiday, a click and collect order from Euro Car Parts can see a new battery delivered in a matter of hours.
“But it’s not just consumers that can benefit from Euro Car Parts battery provision. It could also represent a potentially lucrative profit opportunity for independent repairers. Investing in a range of products which fulfil different size, price and durability requirements, repairers can ensure they don’t miss out on a growing market.”
*https://www.visitbritain.org/6-million-brits-plan-uk-trip-easter-equating-ps15bn-spend
LKQ Euro Car Parts has introduced a new range of steering and transmission products under the Starline brand.
Exclusively available to LKQ Euro Car Parts customers, the new Starline range includes drive shafts, CV-joints and universal and tailored-fit boot kits, as well as a selection of 700 bearing and wheel hub kits, covering 90% of the UK car parc.
Developed using quality materials and certified production technology, all Starline parts are equivalent to any previous factory-fitted parts, meaning technicians can ensure a perfect fit, first time. The range is competitively priced for the market and features a three-year warranty.
As an example, the new Starline bearing components are produced to the tightest tolerances, while every unit undergoes 100% measuring and inspection through a 23-point quality control process to guarantee safety.
Colin Cottrell, marketing director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, commented: “Transmission and steering issues, such as problems with the drive shaft or CV-joints, are relatively common – and can massively compromise vehicle safety and performance.
“We’ve expanded the trusted Starline brand with this in mind, so garages can benefit from the excellent quality and equally good value it represents. When drivers need replacement parts for their vehicle – whether they drive an ICE vehicle or an EV or hybrid – giving them options to choose from is a great way for garages to make them feel involved in the repair process, and to drive loyalty and trust.”
The Starline brand was established in 1999 and today includes more than 35,000 products, covering more than 90% of spare parts for passenger vehicles. It is sold in 15 countries across Europe, and was recently expanded to include a new trade-only battery range.
For more information, contact your designated LKQ Euro Car Parts account manager, get in touch with your local branch, or follow this link.
