The Garage 298

NEWS 06
Dayco launches
heavy duty
auxiliary belt kits
www
TO FURTHER assist
both installers
and parts suppliers,
Dayco has introduced
a range
of auxiliary belt kits, with
the prefix KPV, that combine
the necessary original
equipment (OE) quality belt/
belts and the accompanying
tensioners/idlers, to allow
a complete FEAD (front
end auxiliary drive) system
overhaul, from a single purchase.
Dayco, a leading engine
products and drive systems
supplier for the automotive,
industrial and aftermarket
industries, is also a major
player in the heavy duty
(HD) sector, where it supplies
OE components, to vehicle
manufacturers including
Volvo, DAF, Scania, Iveco
and Mercedes-Benz.
New survey suggests
Hybrid and EV Vehicle
popularity increasing
IF ALL drivers in the market were to make their next car purchase tomorrow, we could
expect the proportion of hybrid and pure electric cars to quadruple, according to the latest
NFDA Consumer Attitude Survey 2019.
The Consumer Attitude Survey was commissioned by the National Franchised Dealers
Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers
across the UK, and executed by Public Knowledge, a leading market research agency.
This is the seventh edition of the survey, which polled 2,000 consumers across the UK in a
15-minute online survey.
When participants were asked which car they would buy next, 60% answered a petrol
vehicle and only 16% said they would purchase a diesel vehicle. Hybrid vehicles scored
a significantly high proportion with 16% of consumers expecting to buy a hybrid, which
is four times the current ownership at 4%. The 4% of consumers intending to buy a pure
electric car is also four times current ownership at 1%.
Whilst the percentage of participants wanting to buy an electric vehicle is significantly
higher than expected, the surveyed consumers still cite some concerns in relation to
purchasing an electric vehicle. These concerns include access to charging points (which
53% of consumers selected as an issue), battery range (51%), and the cost of purchasing
an electric vehicle (47%). Among those who indicate charging is a barrier, 78% agree that
a lack of charging points in public places such as car parks in shopping centres is a reason
this is a barrier.
Sue Robinson, NFDA Director, said, “The survey demonstrates that consumer
attitudes are shifting. Drivers are now four times more likely to buy an electric vehicle.
This is beneficial for franchised dealers who are best placed to service the growing
electric demand in the car market. Combined with the 75% of new vehicles purchased
at franchised dealerships, the dealers are likely to take market share in the near future,
ensuring a consistent and reliable service to as many consumers as possible.”
Although the company
originally made its name
through the manufacture
of drive belts, with a range
that now features more
than 600 V and Poly-V part
numbers, it has grown its
product portfolio to include
the associated components
within the drive system to
reflect its sector specialism.
Therefore, the Dayco HD
programme also includes almost
300 drive component
references – tensioners and
idlers – to provide a complete
system solution for the
CV aftermarket.
“In order for technicians
to carry out the best possible
job and fleet managers
to maximise the reliability
of their vehicles, the auxiliary
drive system should be
considered as a single entity,
instead of looking at the belt
and the drive components
separately,” explains Steve
Carolan, Dayco’s national
sales manager for UK and
Ireland. “Therefore, rather
than changing individual
items, technicians should
replace the whole system,
which allows them to provide
a complete and thorough
repair solution.”
“This proposition is made
much simpler when the
components are complete in
a kit that also contains any
additional fixtures should
they be required. Being able
to source the required parts
from a single supplier helps
both installers and wholesalers,
as it streamlines the
ordering process and provides
definitive cover for
all the elements, within one
overarching warranty.”
6, 7 News.indd 1 01/08/2019 09:54