Lucas exchanges to stop remanufacture
Page 87
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
• k Alowing tests on re-manufactured CV brake callipers. Lucas has launched a new.for-old exchange service to remove used stock from the market.
Operators taking the old callipers into any Lucas stockist can get a discount of around 50". on the price of a new replacement. This cuts the cost differential over re-manufactured units to around 10-5%, says Lucas.
Of the re-manufactured units examined, Lucas said one would have to fail almost immediately while another had been covered in a lacquer which would attack the rubber seals.
In addition to the safety aspect fitting a new calliper is much faster than repairing the old one and now almost as cheap as fitting a reconditioned unit. Initially only callipers for the Cargo. FL6 and Optare Metrorider are included in the exchange scheme, but it will be extended to all Lucas CV disc brakes as servicing needs arise.
Lex Service has bought Lucas's 62 Autocentres for £13m. The Autocentres offer fixed-price servicing for cars and made a profit of £1.2m last year.