Workshops taking part in Yuasa’s Always Check The Battery scheme are reporting positive feedback from customers, preventing countless vehicle non-start situations and have seen noticeable increases in battery sales.
Launched in September 2017, Yuasa’s scheme encourages garages to significantly improve customer service, drive customer loyalty and increase their revenue by testing the battery of every vehicle serviced or repaired.
It was launched following a major workshop trial which discovered that 11 % of all vehicles required a battery replacement and 27% needed recharging. Diagnosing a battery issue in the workshop prevents a distressing non-start situation occurring in the near future and could raise the average workshop’s annual battery revenue to over £30,000.
Jason Burlton, Workshop Manager at Phillips Tyres in Shepton Mallet tests a battery with Yuasa’s Always Check The Battery Tester
As part of the scheme, the battery manufacturer launched a low-cost Complete Workshop Battery Testing Kit which includes a GS Yuasa Battery Tester, mirror hangers, a guide book and varied POS material. Within the first few weeks of launching the kit well over 3000 had been released to the aftermarket through Yuasa distributors.
Workshops taking part in the scheme have found it easy to implement into their daily routines, and have noticed big improvements.
Philips Tyres in Shepton Mallet have been using Yuasa’s Always Check The Battery Kit since October, Jason Burlton, Workshop Manager, said: “The new GS Yuasa tester is quick and easy to use, and is very accurate when determining the cold cranking performance and state of health of batteries that are in use on a vehicle.
“Offering a battery health check as part of our service has enhanced our workshop’s reputation. The test gives our customers accurate information, and the simple fact is, we can tell them the performance of their battery and pre-warn them of a future problem.
“We carry out a battery test with every service or winter check and found that one or two vehicles out of every ten we test require replacing. If the vehicle’s battery is not in good condition we inform the customer and this can result in a sale there and then.”
HiQ in Bath have also had a positive experience. Steve Cloke, Operations Director, said :“The Always Check The Battery GS Yuasa tester is very good and gives a quick, accurate battery check. It is a very useful tool in our workshop alongside the Yuasa USB Smart Button and Online Battery Trade Lookup.
“As cars become more complex and feature more systems and ‘toys’ we find our customers are more receptive to the costs associated in keeping their vehicle in good shape. They understand that a battery is a necessary component and are willing to pay for the peace of mind a quality replacement brings.
Roy Flavell, Centre Manager, HiQ Bath tests batteries with Yuasa’s Always Check The Battery Tester
“Batteries are an important part of our business and we keep a good stock from BBL, our main battery supplier, in the workshop. We like Yuasa as it is a strong, well know brand and I consider their batteries to be high quality.”
Yuasa have been heavily promoting the scheme to consumers through social media, advertising and on their popular website. They have also recently released a promotional video with three-times BTCC champion Matt Neal testing the Halfords Yuasa Racing Honda Civic’s battery.
Workshops wishing to join the scheme and get their hands on their own Complete Workshop Battery Testing kit should speak to their local participating Yuasa distributor.
