Renault has begun recruiting garage owners to open outlets for its Motrio all-makes service franchise, whose first outlet was opened at Nantes in France in December. Renault is hoping to attract independent garage owners and secondary dealers whose contracts were not renewed last year following the new Block Exemption, and it hopes to have 300 outlets in place by the end of the year.

Motrio has been established as Renault's all-makes parts brand sicne 1998, but is now also to be the brand i.d. of the manufacturer's all-makes service operation. Motrio franchises will be linked contractually to Renault franchises by non-exclusive agreements which, says Renault, will involve neither exclusive parts purchasing obligations nor fees.

The Motrio parts catalogue carries some 6,000 items in 36 categories, covering 95% of the rapid repair market in France: brakes, ignition, filters, shock absorbers, radiators, oils, wipers, etc. It covers 212 vehicles from 30 manufacturers, covering 90% of the European car population, and has been available through Nissan's European network since 2000.

The Motrio service development is separate from the dealer-based Renault Minute fast fit, body repair and mobile servicing network, which serves over a million customers in France from nearly 450 sites in France and 190 in over 22 other countries.