XPart is aiming to develop its business further and reach as many independent auto traders as it can.

To help achieve this, the MG Rover parts supplier is offering franchised dealer groups the opportunity to develop their parts business supporting local independent dealers and the 230-strong XPart AutoService centre network.

“MG Rover parts give higher profit margins than other vehicle parts. There is a gross margin of more than 30%,” says Craig Cooper, general manager of XPart.

“We also try to minimize obsolescence. So once a trader is working with us we go to them once a month and do a stock clearance, effectively taking out the obsolete costs. This allows dealers to retain a high margin.”

XPart is hoping to grow its AutoService centre network to 250 outlets, which would then be adequate to ensure a 24-hour delivery guarantee on all parts.

“We support 1.8m Rover cars that are on the road and we take our responsibilities to them seriously. We have a 95% availability for these parts and a 99.8% availability for all makes parts,” says Cooper.