Unipart has announced a ground-breaking five year, full-spectrum aftermarket logistics contract with Qoros Automotive Co. Ltd., which is based in Changshu, China.
Qoros is a different kind of car manufacturer – an international brand based in China, which brings together experienced industry experts recruited from major western car companies and new young talent. Its design team is based in Europe and Shanghai and the cars are engineered in China to international standards. Qoros launched the first of its growing family of models, the Qoros 3 Sedan, in China late last year. It is the first vehicle developed in China to achieve the highest five star rating under the European New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP) scheme and Euro NCAP announced that it was ‘the best performer of any car subjected to Euro NCAP’s crash tests in 2013’ making it one of the safest tested in the organisation’s 16-year history. The brand’s second model, the Qoros 3 Hatch, will go on sale in China in the middle of 2014.
Qoros is expected to be the first car brand based in China to sell successfully in Europe. The company has turned to Unipart as a partner to ensure customers benefit from truly world class standards of aftersales service as Unipart Chairman and CEO John Neill explained:
“Unipart is delighted to be working alongside Qoros,” said Neill. “Our success in delivering a world class customer experience in China, which few UK based companies have been able to do so effectively – is premised on the knowledge and confidence that we can extend The Unipart Way – our philosophy that unlocks hidden potential in people – into new sectors and geographical areas seamlessly with huge benefits for our clients.”
Kevin Phelps, Aftersales Director of Qoros commented: “This is an exciting time for Qoros and Unipart. Both Unipart and Qoros are committed to outstanding customer service, and look forward to working together to building a successful dealer network.”
This was further expanded by Phelps who went on to say, “By truly reflecting changing customer tastes towards value for money, customer service, superb design and state-of-the-art interfaces – together with total attention to quality and safety – we are confident that we will deliver an exceptional experience for our customers. We are very happy that Unipart is there to support us on that journey.”
Unipart’s new business with Qoros is another major step forward in China for Unipart, and an important entry into the domestic Chinese automotive logistics arena. Since 2008, Unipart has operated a rapidly expanding, but specialised, automotive aftersales supply chain business in China, which has supported significant volume growth for automotive clients into, and within, China.
Unipart will manage a dedicated Qoros aftersales warehouse in Changshu (Eastern China). From its Suzhou-based headquarters, Unipart will provide a turnkey solution covering forecasting right through to reverse logistics, warranty management and supply chain finance services.
Carl Williams, General Manager for Unipart (Suzhou) Logistics Co. Ltd., added: “We’re hugely excited about the opportunity to work with Qoros. We are very fortunate to be at the start of the journey with Qoros, and to be able to design the most appropriate supply chain solution from the ground up.
“Unipart is able to bring its world class IT system – the Unipart Logistics System – together with the highest levels of employee engagement, using The Unipart Way – to deliver exceptional levels of customer benefit, whilst leveraging the experience that we have internationally as a Group.”