Motul UK Head of Sales, Andy Wait, believes historic vehicles represent a growing market and, therefore, an increasing opportunity. Here, he explains which of Motul’s range can make a difference:
The growth of the historic vehicle sector and its absorption of the increasingly popular ‘youngtimer’ period – cars from the ‘80s ‘90s and noughties – means that more historic vehicles of this period are on the roads daily, presenting real and growing opportunities for workshops and factors supplying to them.
With increased numbers of people using their historic and ‘future classic’ cars for daily transport, comes the opportunity to target both those groups of vehicle owner and, with the onset of autumn and winter – and road conditions becoming more difficult – it is important that classic vehicles are in good shape.
Engine oil
Towards the end of a busy season, engine oils will contain products of combustion, such as acids, soot, wear metals and other contaminates. Leaving this dirty, used oil in the engine exposes the vehicle to potentially harmful corrosion.
Motul’s lubricant ranges cover everything from pre-war vehicles to youngtimers, and the key characteristics of each oil are designed to tie in with the specific requirements of engines of their period.
It is encouraged to change used engine oil to a fresh charge of a high-quality engine lubricant and run the engine – Motul has a full range of Classic lubricants for cars of different eras, each with bespoke properties designed to cater for the needs of engines of a particular period. Its Classic 20W-50, for example, includes a ‘tackiness’ additive to ensure that the metal surfaces are coated with a protective layer, which prevents condensate from adhering to the metal surfaces – particularly important if a car is going to be laid up for the winter.
Extending the opportunity further
Engine oils provide the central requirement for historic vehicle lubrication, but there are many other lubricant and fluid requirements and, of course, caring for a vehicle is as important on the outside as it is under the hood.
Motul has, therefore, extended its Classic range to include coolants, cleaners and vehicle care products, which, like its engine oils, are designed specifically for classic car maintenance and care. This offers further opportunities to deliver the optimum product to owners and extend the upsell as related work.
The Motul range has long encompassed workshop sprays, greases and fluids, but it is also moving into complementary workshop equipment to make the lives of technicians easier, cleaner but also create business opportunities.
Additives can also present numerous possibilities in the historic car sector, and Motul’s Professional range offers fuel additives for both petrol and diesel engines, oil additives for cleaning engines and treating leaks, as well as transmission and cooling system additives.
The additive offer also comes with the opportunity of bringing in an additive dispensing system, for example, which simply connects and starts up, running supervision-free so workshops can get on with other business.
Motul has also taken a fresh look at parts cleaning with BioClean, which is a new, solvent-free parts washing system, that, with its warm biological cleaning agent is safe, effective, cost-efficient and pleasant to use. Also, it will soon introduce automatic gearbox flushing and cleaning equipment.
Ultimately, on historic vehicles specifically, the Motul message is that its presence in the service and repair sector is increasing, and it presents numerous opportunities in the autumn while use is still high and before enthusiasts look at putting their cars into hibernation over the winter period.
That again, is something that comes with its own set of potential opportunities!
