Franchised dealers are the preferred choice for consumers’ servicing needs on alternatively fuelled cars.

A consumer survey commissioned by the National Franchised Dealer Association, reveals that 62% of alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) owners use franchised dealers to service their car.

A total of 19% of AFV drivers use a non-franchised national chain to service their vehicle and 19% use independent garages.

Between December 1 – 9, 2015, 1,000 UK consumers were polled in a 10 minute online survey.

The objectives of the survey were to explore current consumer perceptions of franchise dealers, understand aftersales behaviours and determine consumer opinions.

At the end of 2015, 72,775 new AFV’s were registered in the UK a 40.3% increase on 2014.

Sue Robinson, NFDA director, said: “With the ever increasing numbers of complex hybrid and electric cars on the road the need for accurate and knowledgeable servicing is paramount.

“Already we are seeing 62% of AFV consumers using the franchised dealer network to service their vehicle. This is because we are the best placed to provide a high level of service using the manufactures latest guidance.

“We expect to see the percentage of AFV consumers using franchise dealers increasing as car design continues to move towards more complex transmission systems.”

With increasingly complex hybrid engines being installed the NFDA expects independents will have to make substantial investment in ongoing training and diagnostic equipment if they are to meet the demands of the consumer.

Therefore the NFDA expects to find a greater percentage of AFV drivers will require a franchised dealer to service their car in the near future.