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New service is on' menu

31st January 1987
Page 51
Page 51, 31st January 1987 — New service is on' menu
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• Independent tyre and exhaust specialist National Tyre Service is combining with vehicle maintenance specialist Auto Safety Centres in a joint venture in fixed price servicing and parts replacement. The new company is called National Auto.

The first five branches are opening early this year — in Ashton-under-Lyne, Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle upon Tyne, Rochdale and Southport. The plan is to have more than 200 centres by the 1990s.

The service is aimed primarily at the "while-you-wait" private motorist market, with total fleet — including light van and medium truck servicing — and company car facility envisaged as outlets increase.

Over 30,000 fixed price "menu service options" will be offered along with replacement parts like tyres, exhausts, batteries, brakes and clutches, plus an MoT testing facility. The two companies say this venture will offer the most comprehensive service ever offered outside of the traditional or franchised garage network.

The number of cars on the roads — 16.5 million — continues to grow, and National Auto research shows that each one has around 2250 a year spent on it on servicing and repairs (excluding accident repairs). Over the past decade "Fast fit" operators have loosened the strangehold on the market held by the franchise dealer service network and full garage service.

An Office of Fair Trading report suggested that more than 10% of customers are dissatisfied with garages. National Auto will invite motorists to call at any time, without the need to book. It has established a code of practice and will concentrate solely on repair and maintenance with "no supermarket shelves selling spares or repair manuals".

National Tyre Service has over 400 branches. It handles more than 150,000 HGV tyre service and maintenance calls each year. Auto Safety Centres, which opened its 50th outlet in Stratford-onAvon, is part of Automotive Products, acquired last year by the BBA group.


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