AUTOMECHANIKA 2011: MERCEDES-BENZ RECLAIMS REMANUFACTURED PARTS SPACE

Mercedes-Benz South Africa has once again chosen to use a large-scale exhibition as a launch-pad. This year’s Automechanika SA at the NASREC Expo Centre will see the heavyweight OEM introduce products that provide both customers and the aftermarket industry with quality-assured parts supported by warranties – all at affordable pricing.

As the first automobile original equipment manufacturers (OEM) to participate in this exhibition on the scale of a dedicated, high-end show stand, MBSA is making a bold statement as to their view on the importance of the aftermarket business.

“We believe that the most important part of our relationship with our customers is based on products, services and back-up support which are reliable, predictable and consistent throughout a customer’s vehicle lifecycle, regardless of whether it is a fleet or a single vehicle.  Buying our products is the beginning of a relationship which we like to believe is built on loyalty and integrity – just like the human values that our company and brand stand for,” says Naeem Hassim, MBSA vice-president responsible for Aftersales.

MBSA is using the Automechanika trade exhibition to position their “Reman” concept to customers. This customer-focussed concept entails the remanufacture of specific aggregates and parts, all of which conform to all the OEM’s original quality standards for genuine parts. “The beauty of this is that we offer a great alternative which is not only affordable, but helps cut down on harmful environmental waste and contributes to a real measure of recycling also,” explains Hassim.

“You may ask why MBSA is doing this. It is simple. We not only wish to protect our customers from untested and possibly dangerous, spurious or grey market parts and spares, we want to protect our brand reputation for reliability and quality. At the same time we acknowledge that the global recession has brought financial strain and pressures on many transport operators and individual customers, and with our quality-assured remanufactured parts, we are able to offer an affordable alternative to our customers, providing them peace-of-mind.”