The Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions rebrand
Matt Selby, the sales and marketing director at Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions UK, reveals the thinking behind the transformation to VLS and what it represents for the company and industry.
Q. What was the primary motivation for rebranding to Schaeffler Vehicle Lifetime Solutions, and how will the change affect motor factors?
A. “The rebranding to Vehicle Lifetime Solutions comes after the integration of Vitesco into the Schaeffler organisation, which will position us as a complete solutions provider rather than just a parts supplier.
“By focusing on the vehicle lifecycle holistically, we can differentiate ourselves through innovation, offering advanced services, such as predictive maintenance and digital solutions, as well as our usual array of high-tech precision kits and components. The rebrand will not immediately affect motor factors, but as we continue to add new products, systems and services to our portfolio, workshops will be looking at new profit making opportunities that they will need to source from our customers.”
Q. How have motor factors and the wider industry reacted?
A. “The rebranding in the UK was officially finalised on 1st November, but the response to the renaming in Germany, which took place on 1st October, has been very enthusiastic.”
Q. How does the new branding help Schaeffler VLS differentiate itself from competitors in the aftermarket?
A. “The new branding and philosophy outlined in my first answer above will allow us to stand out in an increasingly crowded aftermarket.
“Where some competitors may focus more narrowly on specific parts or services, Schaeffler VLS will be looking to support forward thinking garage owners with everything their technicians need to carry out their daily work.”
Q. Does the new brand signal any future developments that motor factors should be aware of in terms of innovation or market positioning?
A. “We will continue to shape how parts distributors and their workshop customers gain access to our portfolio of innovative components and systems, along with our range of REPXPERT support services.
“We will soon be looking to support Vitesco with sales of its OEM NOX sensor range into the UK and Irish aftermarket, as well as working with the company on other, wider ranging future mobility projects as part of our new status as a complete solutions provider.”
Part two of this Q&A to follow!
