43 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2024 As an example, I recently travelled to Scotland to visit a group of our new centres in the region and not one of them had a negative word to say about market conditions. They were all extremely busy and excited about the future with Eurorepar by their side. What I would say is that Eurorepar puts garages in the driving seat when it comes to navigating industry challenges. Whether it’s training and skills, access to parts, or winning new business, we provide the support that garages need to thrive. How important is an expansion in the take-up of EVs to UK garages, despite poorer than expected sales of battery electric vehicles? Are garages sufficiently prepared for growth in this sector and what’s your advice? The subject of EV training and upskilling has dominated the aftermarket trade media for years — and with good reason. We all know the change is happening and that eventually there will be a tipping point where EV servicing and maintenance simply cannot be ignored. My perception, based on our network and the conversations I have with members, is that the tide is beginning to turn as more and more garages switch on to the opportunity we have as an industry. I am aware that the data still indicates a shortfall in skilled technicians who are capable of servicing EVs, and that is a concern, but I always have faith that the trade will adapt when it needs to. From a Eurorepar perspective, we launched an ‘EV Label’ in Europe last year and then rolled it out in the UK at the beginning of 2024 because it was proving so popular on the continent. The EV Label is dedicated to the maintenance of electric and hybrid vehicles and will help our network lead from the front on EV servicing. Members need to fulfil certain criteria — for instance, they must have at least one 22kWh charger on site, and at least one EV-trained technician — to use the label as a springboard for business development. My advice to any garage looking to get ahead of the curve is simple: view EVs as an opportunity, not a challenge. Training and tooling are an investment in your future – don’t look at it as a cost. Can you give some insight into training and other programmes offered by Eurorepar? We have two dedicated routes of training available to centres. The first is via our Stellantis Training Academy. The UK Eurorepar network has access to a specific Stellantis training curriculum aimed at increasing business performance and customer satisfaction, with the added benefit of substantial cost savings linked to being a member of the ERCS network. The second training option for our members is via our partnership with the Independent Garage Association. We’ve been working with the IGA for a number of years now to offer our members complementary membership and access to an assortment of business benefits. Training forms a key part of the IGA’s proposition, with courses covering MOT testing, hybrid and electric vehicles, ADAS and more. How many garages are there in the Eurorepar Car Service network and what plans are there to expand over the next few years? We currently have 271 members in our network as of May 1. The plan from here Eurorepar’s parent company, Stellantis, has invested heavily in the UK to alleviate any challenges in the wider global market Chris Jones Business
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