Drive Motor Retail has joined XPart’s all-makes parts programme which will allow it to operate its own factoring operation. Drive Motor Retail

Parts manager Mike Brant has already recorded a 15% uplift on the company’s non-franchise business in the past month, and hopes to generate £500,000 of all-makes part sales over the coming year.

The Bristol-based franchise dealer officially launched its new all-makes proposition to trade customers in October with an open day at its premises.

Brant said: “It’s allowing us to increase profitability by creating an additional revenue stream, with minimal investment.

“Our parts department already had the infrastructure in place to support a parts factoring operation, so our only investment has been in the initial stock pack and the design and print of point of sale materials.”

Drive Motor Retail received training, marketing literature from XPart to support the launch of the new operation.

Brant said: “Although it’s still early days, we’ve witnessed a steady increase in parts sales over the past month and we believe this is set to continue.

"As our customers gradually change their buying habits and come to us first for high quality all-makes parts rather than their local factor, we will increasingly value our investment in the programme as a means to maintaining a secure and profitable business.”