October 2021

New electric vehicle parts programme Delphi Technologies Aftermarket, through BorgWarner, has launched a new offering for EVs that will enable independent garages to obtain a range of replacement parts, including combined inverter and DC/DC converters, traction power inverter modules, and onboard chargers. Commenting on the move, BorgWarner Aftermarket President and General Manager Alex Ashmore said: “The move towards sustainability is not only being driven by government initiatives around the world implementing 100% sales of zero-emission vehicles. We now have proof that consumers also want greener mobility, because even during a pandemic, global battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicle sales increased last year by 43%. All those vehicles use power electronics to move and the aftermarket will need access to these components in order to move forward with the industry.” The company’s global power electronics programme will also include charging equipment, as well as training, technical support, and traditional replacement parts. Alex added: “The race to electrification represents a significant aftermarket opportunity for those with the right parts, tools, and know-how to service the next generation of vehicles. That’s why at Delphi Technologies we’re not only excited about bringing BorgWarner’s pioneering OE technology to the aftermarket, but also to provide the technical training and support needed to upskill the workforce on the emerging technologies of this new fleet of complex electrified vehicles.” For more information visit delphiaftermarket.com Raw material costs rises mean higher prices Global steel shortages, increasing aluminised and stainless steel prices and in rising commodity costs, are causing pipe price volatility BM Catalysts has warned. BM Catalysts Commercial Director Mark Blinston commented: “One of the main issues at play is demand and supply, as many steel mills closed or significantly reduced their output during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. Surging demand since then has put pressure on the ability to keep up, which naturally leads to supply shortages and rising costs. It’s a similar situation to the increased prices of building materials we’ve seen in the news in recent months.” According to BM Catalysts, aluminised tubes prices are now 62% higher than they were at the beginning of 2021, with the company also being advised of a price increase of over 100% on stainless-steel coil supplies going into 2022. Mark continued: “This is partly down to various steel market pressures including UK base price increases; an increase in price of ferrochrome, an alloy used in the production of stainless steel, which shows no indication of this slowing down; as well as rising nickel prices.” He added: “The removal of export tax incentives on Asian stainless steel also means prices are now less competitive in the UK and European market, while container shortages are further exacerbating the cost of importing steel from Asia.” MONTH 2017 AFTERMARKET 3 www.aftermarketonline.net OCTOBER 202 AFTERMARKET 5 A/C season: Nissens support to garages As the air conditioning season reached its peak, Nissens offered garages support when they were working to provide their customers with an A/C service. Nissens Marketing Manager Jan Zieleskiewicz commented: “The complete Nissens A/C programme includes the key system components workshops need. The portfolio of more than 3,000 parts, which includes compressors, condensers, interior blowers, evaporators, receiver-driers, fans and thermal expansion valves (TXV), caters for in excess of 15,000 OE part numbers. In addition, the majority o f the company’s A/C parts ar e also Firs t Fit products, which means the technician gets everything that is needed for their correct installation, within the product box. " Alongside c omponents , Nissens also o ffers technical support : “This is provided to installers through a v ariety of forms fr om print t o online, including t echnical tr aining , self-learning module s and technical tips , as well as detailed ins tallation and tr oubleshooting guides.” More information can be f ound a t : www.nissens.com/clima te