Posted by Peter Warman on November 14, 2003, 10:30 pm
Hi John
As you say, info is slow comming out
Ford are soon to launch a website with all the criteria for becomming an Independent Ford repairer, they are the first to kick off, expected start up costs are going to be in the region of £25,000
As for servicing new vehicle with genuine parts for the first year, well thats all rubbish. Most new cars now only have an oil and filter change in the first year anyway, you cant tell me that fitting a Unipart or Fram filter in the first year is going to void a warranty, that's why block exemption is being changed to stop the manufacturers monopoly and spin. They just say that to make you buy parts from the dealerships
I think the Fleet operators and Lease companies are going to call the tune. They are going to swop from franchised dealers to independents to keep cost down. Cars are becomming so reliable now, so why pay £75:00 per hour for servicing, when an Independent can do exactly the same job for £35:00.....Fleet & Lease companies are going to save millions in labour costs. Franchise dealers wont be able to reduce their rates as they have mega overheads and spiraling wage bills to keep good techs
Manufacturers will try to get around this by selling cars with 2/3/4/5 years free servicing....but look what happened to Daewoo when they tried it.....dealers wont make any money from servicing
Lets hope the OFT have enough clout to kick butt if manufacturers dont play ball, especially in supplying technical info