Buying group Groupauto is looking to provide garages linked with the Unipart Car Care Centre network a lifeline.
It aims to give those independent garages, which have been left in the dark after the recent demise of Unipart Automotive, another option and encouraging them to secure their future by becoming either a part of the Autocare or Approved Garages network.
Groupauto believes that UCCC members will find the most benefit from joining its Autocare scheme, through providing them with support through practical and day-to-day means. Maria McCullough, Autocare’s Network Manager, explains more:
“Autocare members benefit from association with a major multinational brand through the group’s corporate signage, colour scheme and logo, while keeping hold of their own business identity and the freedom to make the decisions that best suit their individual needs.
“In essence, we are here to provide a framework with a multitude of opportunities such as technical training, back-office system support, marketing services, business insurance, business advice and networking opportunities, which allows them to run a successful independent garage that can compete in the market.
“A point of particular interest to UCCC garages is that the MAM AWOI system we use throughout AutoCare is exactly the same platform as the Unipart Kiss system, so transition would be seamless.”
The other option is the Approved Garages, which follows the same Autocare scheme, but it requires garages in the network to provide high standards of work at a fair price.
Network Manager Phil Seymour added: “The network is delivering impressive results for both motorists, who currently rate the garages in the network with a 99 percent satisfaction rating and the garages themselves who have received 17,000 website generated leads and benefited from more than £2.5million worth of new business.”
Having previously been at GROUPAUTO for nearly a decade and alongside Maria working to expand the AutoCare network it is arguably the most professional garage concept in our industry today.
It is certainly value for money and worthy of a look if you are considering your options – especially the UCCC garages who may be looking for a home following the demise of Unipart Automotive.