Euro Car Parts has expanded its product lines from this month and launched its all-makes programme with a national direct marketing campaign.

AM revealed last September that the company intended to broaden its offerings. It traditionally has supplied aftermarket parts for only German, French and Scandinavian brands.

Earlier this month, in a direct challenge to established motor factor chains, it scatter-gunned the UK aftermarket with a leaflet telling repairers: “Call the UK’s No 1 supplier first”.

Operating from 40 branches, employing more than 800 people and with a projected turnover of £100m (£70m 2005), Euro Car Parts says it has made a ‘significant investment’ in launch promotions and marketing to get independent garages on board.

“In the past we had to accept we were the second call for traditional garages,” says sales director Chris Barella. “We’re now in a position to be the first port of call, with product categories for almost every car and light commercial vehicle on the road.”