Winter Warning

Exide are warning resellers about the dangers of incorrect battery fitment as winter looms.

As more start-stop vehicles enter the aftermarket, resellers are being advised to carefully check fitment information to ensure the correct battery is selected. Start-stop cars are designed to be fitted with batteries tailored for the needs of the start-stop powertrain, so a conventional battery is unsuitable for the task.

Exide is an OE manufacturer to brands such as BMW, Toyota and Volvo. It is one of the leading manufacturers of start-stop batteries and reportedly invented the first start-stop AGM battery back in 2004. In the lead-up to the winter spike in sales, Exide is warning resellers to make sure they are fitting the right battery.

“Every winter there is a surge in aftermarket battery sales, and this year will see unprecedented levels of start-stop vehicles entering the aftermarket for the first time,” said Craig Everett, UK Marketing Manager, Exide. “Remember that with a start- stop car, only a start-stop battery will do. The start-stop battery has been fully leveraged by carmakers, and conventional batteries do not have the electrical performance required by the start-stop powertrain.”

Protecting the warranty

Fitting a conventional battery in a start-stop car will immediately void the warranty. The manufacturer and factor will not be liable to provide a replacement, and the motorist will hold the workshop responsible for fitting the wrong battery. No motorist wants to pay for two batteries in quick succession, especially when it’s the fault of the workshop.

With more and more start-stop cars entering the aftermarket, the invalidation of warranties could become a major liability for workshops. The best way to avoid this is to strictly follow the manufacturer’s fitment information, and to ensure staff are trained on the incompatibility of conventional batteries with start-stop cars.

Reputation is everything

In an increasingly competitive aftermarket, reputation is more important than ever. Motorists want a workshop that provides a competent and professional service, and are prepared to shop around for one that meets their needs. For workshops, there is very little room for error. Years of good service can be undone by one bad experience, sending regular customers to a competitor.

With a new generation of start-stop cars entering the aftermarket, workshops should be ready to capitalise on the teething problems their competitors may face. Every time a conventional battery is inappropriately fitted, for example, a new customer is likely to re-enter the market.

Factors can help ensure their customers are ready to service start-stop cars. They can ensure they are given correct fitment information, warned in advance about incompatibility issues, and offered a quality range of start-stop batteries to choose from. When factors provide a good service to workshops, workshops can provide a good service to motorists – improving sales for everyone.

“The emergence of start-stop presents an opportunity for workshops and factors to enhance their reputation, gain new customers, and establish their expertise in the fastest-growing segment of the market,” said Craig. “We’re making sure all our customers are well informed about the requirements of start-stop vehicles, and we will help them with marketing so they can take full advantage of the opportunity.”

The power of start-stop

It is widely accepted that Exide was the first company to design a start-stop AGM battery in 2004, based on work in its original- equipment business. Since then, Exide Start-Stop AGM has been significantly improved, with each new generation offering better efficiency, performance and reliability. It offers four times greater cycling performance and far better charge acceptance and power than a conventional lead-acid battery. It is used as original equipment by many of the world’s top carmakers, and is also a leading battery in the aftermarket. It is ideally suited to cars with start-stop, regenerative braking systems, sailing, and other fuel- saving features.

Exide Start-Stop EFB was invented in 2008, also in Exide’s original-equipment business. Ideal for small to mid-sized cars, the battery offers exceptional charge acceptance and cycling performance, is optimised for partial-state-of-charge operations, and supports the latest fuel-saving features. It is one of the most advanced start-stop batteries on the market. The battery has excellent shelf life, making it easy for factors to stock.