Lucas Batteries.....Still A Powerful Name!

Although the brand may not be quite as prominent as it once was when it was the original equipment (OE) fitment choice for a host of vehicle manufacturers (VM’s), the name Lucas is still synonymous with the automotive industry not just in the UK, but in much of Europe and the Commonwealth as well.

Under the stewardship of Manbat - which it has been for the last two years - the Lucas automotive and commercial vehicle battery range has undergone something of a renaissance and CAAR members have no small part to play in this recent growth. The year-on-year sales of Lucas through the group have risen substantially in both 2010 and 2011, which is testament to the fact that members recognise the combination of quality and value that the brand provides them.

The fact that the brand is one of the few aftermarket brands that still resonates with the general public is a great selling point for the independent workshop and that provides a fantastic opportunity for members. It would cost literally millions to attempt to build a brand in the consciousness of the motorist, but the Lucas name is still widely recognised and this means that members can benefit, as they are able to supply a brand that commands the trust of the average motorist.

As members already supplying Lucas can endorse, the comprehensive range offers superb coverage for virtually every vehicle and there is a choice of three models, which ensures that they can provide the correct specification battery for the purpose.

The range starts with the ‘Classic’, which provides reliable starting performance with a two-year warranty and progresses to the ‘Premium’, which delivers enhanced starting power, calcium technology and a three-year warranty to the ‘Supreme’, which exceeds OE quality, provides 30% more starting power and has a four-year warranty.

Obviously there is much talk in the industry about the imminent increase in demand for AGM batteries as used in micro hybrid (Start-Stop) vehicles and although this demand is yet to fully develop, there is naturally a high quality AGM battery in the Lucas range.

The ‘Fusion’ is an OE quality AGM battery with a four-year warranty, which provides the perfect solution for a multitude of Start-Stop vehicles and remember; these batteries will generate twice the unit revenue and three times the margin of a conventional flooded lead-acid battery!

To ensure that members both support their customers and optimise the opportunities, Manbat encourages them to ensure that independent workshops have the knowledge and the skills to make the most of battery sales.

Battery testing is the key to exploit the opportunities and this relatively straightforward process will reveal whether their customer needs a new battery, or the existing battery can be recovered, but either outcome is providing a valuable service to their customer.

The only accurate way to test the condition of a battery - not just its state of charge - is with a specific test tool that carries out a conductivity test on the battery. This device, (Manbat stocks various examples of these tools and can advise members on the best model for the available budget) supplies a current of just over an amp across the battery and measures the return current over a set time period, to define the actual condition of the battery.

If, despite the fact that the battery is partially discharged, the test shows that the battery is in good physical condition, then by going through an anti-sulphation process, the battery can be charged and will perform perfectly well, but if the condition is poor, then a new battery is required.

However, whatever the result, workshops must check to find out whether there is an underlying cause that has led to the battery being in a discharged or semi-discharged state. This matter then obviously needs to be resolved.

By encouraging their customers to carry out these simple tests, members are helping workshops to provide a better service to the motorist while also maximising the revenue possibilities for their own businesses.

For further details of the Lucas range or the test tools it can supply, please call Manbat customer services on: 01743 218500 or visit: www.manbat.co.uk.

Lucas Combats Ethanol Damage

Manufacturers generate ethanol, which is short for ethyl alcohol, by fermenting and distilling crops like corn, wheat and barley. It’s the same stuff that is in alcoholic beverages. Alcohol is an amazing cleaner and solvent and its natural tendency is to bond with water. There is where the problems lie. What happens is a process called phase separation where the alcohol separates from the fuel and alcohol bonds to any water that is inherent in the system, corrupting all of the fuel in the process.

The other issue besides the water is that because alcohol is such a good solvent and cleaner it can dry out, damage and corrode plastics, rubbers and cause pieces to flake, break off and travel into the fuel system.

As seen in the photos here. You can see fuel lines that were cut open and inspected to find the inner walls were deteriorating and flaking off into the fuel. The fuel lines themselves became very hard and brittle. The fuel filters got gummed up with debris which also lead to fouling of spark plugs. The fuel filters swelled and broke into two pieces.

Lucas Safeguard Ethanol Fuel Conditioner with Stabilizers will combat this problem and the message to the customer is “don’t wait until the damage is already done”!!!

For more information please contact Lucas Oil on 01248 726333