The Parts Alliance partners with Petronas
Published: 27 January, 2020
The Parts Alliance has entered into partnership with Petronas Lubricants International (PLI) to supply its Syntium range of oil into the UK aftermarket.
Commenting on the new arrangement, Paula Huesca de Crean, Group Commercial Director of The Parts Alliance, said: “Petronas has immense potential for our branches and we are thrilled to be partnering with this globally renowned brand to offer our aftermarket customers an outstanding premium range.”
Samet Erensoy, PLI Head of Central and Northern Europe, added: “We believe in partnerships that share a common ground – delivering value through innovative products that are in line with advances in automotive technology and solutions tailored for the independent aftermarket. That is what makes The Parts Alliance an ideal partner to help us achieve our ambitious goal.”
- Coronavirus: Aftermarket suppliers continue to declare ongoing support for sector
More aftermarket suppliers are confirming that they will continue to support their customers during the Coronavirus outbreak.
- Bendix brake callipers range launched by The Parts Alliance
The Parts Alliance has added a new range of Bendix brake callipers. The range will be available from all of the group’s local brands throughout the UK branch network.
Viral Modha, Head of Braking Category at The Parts Alliance commented: “Investing in developing this range made perfect sense given the success of Bendix brake friction within the UK aftermarket over the last 18 months.”
The Bendix range of callipers will be exclusively available from The Parts Alliance.
- Bendix reintroduction “ahead of schedule”
GSF Car Parts says their programme to reintroduce Bendix brakes to the UK aftermarket is running ahead of schedule.
- No wave of disruption this time say OESAA members via Andy Savva video
The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) and its members are reassuring garages they are all very much open for business during the current lockdown via a video from OESAA spokesman Andy Savva a.k.a The Garage Inspector.
- EU Emissions tighten on UK market
With or without Brexit, EU regulations surrounding emissions are playing an important part in pushing aftermarket requirements for
the correct emissions parts being fitted.
Mark Blinston, Commercial Director at BM Catalysts commented: “Emissions are a hot topic for discussion at the moment for many media outlets and manufacturers. All efforts are geared towards reducing emissions, as well as preventing the sale and fitting of catalytic converters and DPFs to vehicles that haven’t been approved to meet the relevant Euro Levels.
“Vehicles and replacement emission control devices must meet specific standards for exhaust emissions before they can be offered for sale in the European Union. Vehicle emissions are one of a series of performance standards that must be met to achieve Whole Vehicle Type Approval in accordance with EC Directives. In order to achieve type approval on the emissions levels for replacement emission control devices, such as catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters (DPFs), performance and noise levels must be within calculated limits as prescribed by legislation. Replacement catalytic converters and DPFs cannot be approved to a lower Euro level than that of the original vehicle. If the vehicle is Euro 5 then the replacement must be approved to Euro 5 levels. Testing and approving this part to Euro 4 would mean that it cannot be proven to meet emission standards and therefore cannot legally be fitted to any Euro 5 vehicle.”
Mark continued: “Helping to identify the correct products for stockists and garage professionals, the MAM software solution program is set to revolutionise the aftermarket. Used by the majority of distributors, the supply chain software is due to receive a V9 update, which will map the Euro level that a supplier’s part is approved for sale on against a vehicle registration number. Once the change is in place, we’ll start to see the correct catalytic converters and DPFs available matched against the correct vehicles for the first time. Additionally, the Department for Transport (DfT) is also helping to clarify the rules for the UK market, with recent guidelines reiterating the strict requirements for selling catalytic converters and DPFs to the UK market.”
But while the correct cataloguing of aftermarket parts is complex and challenging, perhaps the biggest shake up to the emissions market is the recent MOT changes. Mark continued: “The result of an EU directive, new regulations were introduced to the MOT test in May 2018, placing further emphasis on diesel emissions. The regulations require checks to the exhaust for visible smoke production and tampering or removal of the DPF. Any visible sign of alteration to the DPF or smoke of any colour will result in a fail for the vehicle. Prior to these tighter regulations, experts warned that the true figure of vehicles driving without DPFs were in the thousands, leaving many car owners at risk of hefty fines and penalty points.
“BM Catalysts acknowledges the need for up to date information on EU levels. As a leading manufacturer in Europe, we recognise we are a big part in meeting these standards, producing superior aftermarket products with the least harm to the environment. Additionally, we have recently produced free educational material on DPFs and the MOT changes to help our customers make informed motoring decisions.”
Mark added: “BM Catalysts produce catalytic converters and DPFs to high standards, yet to create a lasting change to the market, it is important that all hands along the supply chain, even the consumer, does their part to make sure they’re complying to regulations. If one link is in this chain proves weak, we all fail.”
