February 2021

FEBRUARY 2021 AFTERMARKET 17 www.aftermarketonline.net it can adapt to changes in technology quickly and safely, and there is no reason why this won’t be the case again. The UK used car parc is still overwhelmingly dominated by petrol and diesel cars, so to abandon internal combustion engines and focus purely on electric vehicles right away is not the best way to go for the majority of garages. However, complacency is a dangerous thing. I do think that the government’s announcement should be a catalyst for independent garages to begin futureproofing their business and at least thinking about how they will tackle electrification over the coming decade. From an ERCS perspective, offering our network the support and advice they need to effectively plan for an electrified future is of course a top priority. As with the digital dilemma discussed above, the key here is turning a challenge into an opportunity. Flex appeal The pandemic has wreaked financial havoc across the UK, leaving households with less disposable income – and in many cases, savings – than they had before. Industry research suggests that a significant percentage of consumers simply do not have the money available to pay for unexpected expenses, such as vehicle repairs. Against this difficult economic backdrop, the onus is on service providers to innovate and provide new ways of delivering their service in a way that works for cash-strapped customers. When it comes to payment options, ERCS sees flexibility as crucial to getting more customers safely back on the road. For instance, the ERCS Drive Now Pay Later initiative allows customers to spread service and repair bills of more than £50 across four equal payments. This flexibility means that vital repair work, which might otherwise have been delayed or cancelled, can be carried out at the right time. This is just one example of adopting a customer-centric approach to taking payment. Garages might also want to consider offering service plans. Consumers are becoming more and more accustomed to the ‘subscription’ model of payment, preferring regular, smaller payments that they can budget for, as opposed to making larger one-off payments. With that in mind, the ERCS network will be developing its service plan offering this year to give customers yet another way to pay. Sticking together The concept of a garage network is not a new one. Networks in various guises have existed in the UK aftermarket for some time, with membership numbers ebbing and flowing. Naturally, garages’ experiences of these networks have varied considerably, and the subject has become somewhat thorny. However, faced with the complex challenges I’ve mentioned above, there’s an argument to be had that now, more than ever, independents need to stick together. The scepticism surrounding garage network initiatives is, at least in part, caused by misconceptions and a lack of clarity regarding what these schemes actually are. That’s why, when it comes to Eurorepar Car Service, we are ensuring that garages understand exactly what it is and how it can benefit their business. That education must start with the dispelling of a myth: Eurorepar Car Service is not a PSA-only initiative. While Eurorepar is indeed operated by PSA Group, members retain full independence and control over their business – including being able to service any make and model of vehicle. Eurorepar Car Service is, therefore, an all-makes garage network initiative. So, joining the Eurorepar Car Service network does not require you to change your whole business model, specialise in PSA vehicles and forgo your reputation as an independent local business. Instead, it enables you to benefit from the training, technical and operational support of a household-name vehicle manufacturer without having to compromise on the way you like to do business. Think of it as a way to take your business to the next level, by becoming more visible and more profitable. Optimism? So, cause for optimism? Absolutely. As I said in my opening remarks, 2021 should be the year of cautious optimism. Garages that take a proactive approach to meeting the challenges posed by pandemic life, electrification, digitalisation and more, will be in a strong position for the future. For more information about Eurorepar Car Service, visit www.eurorepar.co.uk/