Unipart Automotive Launches Type Approval Awareness Campaign

OXFORD, United Kingdom – January 7, 2009: Unipart Automotive, the UK’s largest independent supplier of car parts, is launching a campaign to help the trade understand and promote the benefits of Type Approved exhaust systems to the consumer. What’s more, the trade can gain more profit margin from higher value sales by selling a premium system.

As purse strings tighten further in the New Year, the temptation for motorists to go for the cheapest option will be even higher than usual. In the long run this often results in a false economy, as the cheaper part is likely to fail in a shorter time than the quality alternative. Plus, there are fuel efficiency and performance benefits associated with fitting a premium exhaust system, which will also help to offset the extra cost. But these benefits are often not communicated to the consumer, which is why Unipart has developed posters and leaflets for their customers to use when speaking to motorists about replacing their exhaust system.

In many European countries, the Type Approval process is mandatory for both original and replacement exhaust systems but it is not yet a pre-requisite in the UK. The process provides evidence for a customer that the exhaust system they are buying has been put through, and passed, a series of rigorous checks. It is a mark of quality, which means the system is at least as good as the original equipment design. This not only means that the system is less likely to fail but it can also help reduce emissions, increase fuel efficiency and limit noise pollution.

Benefits for the trade in fitting a Type Approved exhaust system such as Timax include:

Increased profit margins with a higher value sale

Ease of fit and Original Equipment matching quality

Access to a technical helpline

Market-leading catalogue including over 10,000 references

High levels of stock and access to full range from Unipart Automotive

Commenting on the campaign, Wendy Williamson, Marketing Director for Unipart Automotive, said:

“This campaign is about equipping our customers with the right tools to help motorists make an informed choice when it comes to replacing their exhaust system. Unipart Automotive is the UK’s leading exhaust supplier and we are the only national distributor to offer a premium Type Approved exhaust system.

“We have over 4,000 exhaust references, covering over 95 per cent of the UK’s car parc and we are constantly introducing new parts to our extensive range. As well as offering a two-year warranty, our premium exhaust range is easy to fit and garages can benefit from higher margin – a real bonus in the current economic climate. We hope this campaign will help our customers to help their customers make the right choice.” In light of Type Approval legislation due to be applied to catalytic converters in the UK, Unipart is delighted to confirm that it will be launching a new Unipart-branded range of Type Approved cats in the first quarter of 2009.