Recognising excellence

The year started on a high for the UK AutoCare network, which scooped a hat trick of awards at 2023’s CAT Award ceremony, held on the 7^th February at the Lowry Hotel in Manchester. The AutoCare network was awarded ‘Garage Concept of the Year’ for the second consecutive year.

AutoCare Network member Anthony Jhally from AAK Auto Services, Kent took home the award for ‘Independent Garage of the Year'.

The evening’s final AutoCare success went to the network’s very own Garage Networks Manager, Maria McCullough, who was recognised with an Industry 'Lifetime Achievement' award. Maria has worked at GROUPAUTO for 39 years, and during that time has had various roles. Maria launched the AutoCare garage network 19 years ago from scratch, and along with her team has built it into what it is today.

The AutoCare garage programme now boasts 992 garages in the network, with a total of 19 joining in 2023. The network is looking forward to celebrating 1,000 garages in the coming months.

November 2022 was a great month for AutoCare network member Luke’s Garage in Southport,

which won third place in the branding category in the GROUPAUTO World-Class Workshop awards. They were overjoyed to win this award as the team has worked tirelessly to make their garage stand out and be well known in the local area.

GROUPAUTO UK launched their NexDrive programme at their annual conference in October last year. NexDrive is AutoCare’s dedicated next-generation EV only network and is available exclusively to AutoCare garages which are qualified to EV Level 3 or above. There are strict criteria for garages wishing to join the network, but those who do receive a whole host of benefits as part of the programme. These include EV training and workshop branding, highlighting to the consumer that they are ready to work on next-generation vehicles.

In addition, the NexDrive website was also recently launched. It will be key in promoting the NexDrive network and driving customers to a local NexDrive workshop that can keep their EV vehicle maintained. Since launching the network, 21 garages have already been signed up and are taking advantage of the benefits.

From December 2022 to January 2023, AutoCare ran a Bosch Promotion, available exclusively to its members. Every £100 that was spent on Bosch products through their supporting motor factor entitled the member to one entry into a prize draw. The promotion saw nine lucky garages each win a voucher worth £3000 to spend on Bosch garage equipment.

April 2023 will see the start of the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) 2023 season where for a second year running, Approved Garages, the lead generation website for the AutoCare garage network members, will be sponsoring the NAPA Racing UK team. The 2022 season ended on a high as NAPA Racing UK ended its debut season claiming the ‘Teams Champion’. This year they will be coming back even stronger, increasing the number of vehicles on the grid from two cars to four. Alongside this, Approved Garages will also be sponsoring NAPA Racing UK with two cars in the MINI CHALLENGE Trophy, two cars in the MINI CHALLENGE JCW, and two cars in the Porsche Carrera Cup GB.

GROUPAUTO INTERNATIONAL
147, Avenue Charles de Gaulle
92200 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Phone : +33 1 46 37 25 02
Phone : +33 1 46 37 50 95
groupauto@groupautointernational.com