The Garage 288

News 14
Autoelectro’s
new website
already
paying off
Autoelectro
Managing Director,
Tony Bhogal, has
lauded the impact
of the rotating electrics
remanufacturer’s new
website following “excellent
feedback” from customers
since its launch at the beginning
of October last year.
A significant number of
motor factor staff members
and technicians have already
signed-up, and they
have been utilising the various
functions the site – www.
autoelectro.co.uk – offers on
a modern and easy-to-use
interface.
Tony said: “We have been
delighted and encouraged
by the volume of visitors,
numbers of sign-ups and the
response received so far. Of
course, it is early days and
the website will improve over
time, but we couldn’t be happier
with the results from the
time and resources spent on
creating the website.
“Having been immersed
inside the automotive aftermarket
for more than 30
years, we are confident that
we know exactly what both
technicians and factor staff
want from us, whether that
be diagnosis and repair bulletins,
price checks, comprehensive
part searches and
availability or using our new
and reliable ‘track and trace’
service.”
Autoparts Cumbria’s Manager,
Chris Cook, is one of
those to sign up and has
shared what he’s found to
be the most useful aspects
of Autoelectro’s new online
portal: “The most important
part of the website, for our
business, is the core collections.
We can see what’s outstanding,
which allows us to
be more organised and efficient
in-house.
“If ever there is an issue
(with core), we would usually
need to call-up or spend time
filling in forms; however, the
new website has quickened
up the process and means
we can do it all ourselves, allowing
us to focus on other
aspects of the business.
“The ‘track and trace’ is
also an innovative tool, as
it allows us to stay ahead
of what we’ve ordered and
Autoelectro Managing Director,
Tony Bhogal
when it’s on its way – it’s useful
information that we can
share with our customers,
too.”
Misleading packaging still causing issues for lubricants
VLS, the Verification of Lubricant Specifications,
has announced the outcome
of cases VLS010152 and VLS010156:
complaints against two different Vetech
5W30 Multi-Fleet oils, marketed by GSF
Car Parts Ltd.
The first case related to the Vetech
SSL PRO Universal Performance Multi-
Fleet ILSAC Standard Service Oil and
alleged inconsistencies in the Technical
Data Sheet, including that the product
claimed to be produced from Group 2
and Group 3 base stocks, that the formulation
was suitable for applications
requiring VW 504/507, VW 502/505, MB
229.51, WSS-M2C913-A,B,C and Dexos
2 and that there were no additive formulations
capable of achieving all of these
specifications.
VLS’ Technical Review Panel upheld
the complaint and asked GSF Car Parts
Ltd to make a number of changes to the
data sheet including withdrawing incorrect
claims and providing further clarity
on claims in other areas. GSF Car Parts
Ltd also agreed to sign a Lubricant Marketer’s
Letter of Conformance with the
European Technical Association ATIEL
to continue make claims against the
ACEA sequences.
Case 156 related to the Vetech ESL
PRO High Performance Multi-Fleet Extended
Service Oil and a complaint
about similar issues of inconsistency in
the Technical Data Sheet, and that no
formulation was capable of being suitable
for all the applications and performances
being claimed.
VLS reviewed and again upheld the
complaint that the Technical Data Sheet
(TDS) for the product recommends its
use against a number of specifications
which included some recommendations
that were mutually exclusive. VLS
worked with GSF Car Parts to gain evidence
from their additive provider concerning
the claims supported by the
technology, and ensure it was labelled accordingly.
GSF Car Parts Ltd also agreed
to sign a Lubricant Marketer’s Letter of
Conformance with the European Technical
Association ATIEL to continue make
claims against the ACEA sequences.
David Wright, Company Secretary of
VLS and Director General of UKLA said:
“Both these cases presented with similar
concerns about products making claims
which sounded too good to be true. With
space at motor factors, workshops and
forecourts at a premium, the temptation
is to create lubricant products which can
claim to cover huge swathes of the car
parc. However, modern, sophisticated
engines require specifically tailored lubricants
– not a ‘one size fits all’ policy.
Any claims made by a lubricant product
must be backed up by evidence to ensure
that end users can make informed
choices and be confident the oil they are
buying is fit for purpose.”
Verification of Lubrication Specifications
is an independent organisation
providing a credible and trusted means
to verify lubricant specifications. For
more information on VLS please call
01442 875922 or visit www.ukla-vls.
org.uk.
14 News.indd 1 14/01/2019 09:49