Auto-Elec Xstatic at parts news

AUTO-ELEC has been appointed as distributor for the XPart supply network. The Pitronnerie Road-based company is now able to provide genuine parts for MG and Rover cars.

'It is great news for us and it will be a relief to many car owners,' said sales manager Martyn Le Vallee.

'It means we can provide an international-standard parts service to the many independent garages on the island who look after MGs and Rovers.'

Managing director Phil Sandwith added that in the three weeks since winning the dealership, business had been brisk.

'The perception is that we only do electrical parts but we are primarily about selling parts for any make of car,' he said. 'We've done significant business with body shops and we also sell to Joe Public. It's an old-fashioned perception that we are only trade-oriented. Some 40% of what we do is for the public.'

Mr Le Vallee said that following the collapse of MG Rover, there were fears that parts would no longer be available.

'Our customers can be sure that whatever they need, they can rely on us to have it available.

'Motor traders will be able to get deliveries whenever they need them.'

He added that the process of winning the dealership had not been an easy one.

'We had to prove we could offer the standard of service they insist on. That meant investing in market analysis to gauge the demand and in technology to link in with XPart's central system and in training our people to man the system. We have invested in new areas like IT - you put the chassis number into the computer and can find out exactly what you need and whether any modifications were made at the point of manufacture.

'We see this as a happy marriage between ourselves and XPart.'

Mark Blencowe, XPart's regional manager for the Channel Islands, said he was impressed with Auto-Elec.

'New places come up on our network rarely and it's a tribute to their team that they have secured accreditation.'