Delphi is bringing its service centre programme to the UK as part of its plan to add 1,200 DieselPoint specialist common-rail diesel centres across Europe.

The Delphi Service Centre programme comprises four specialist concepts, covering air conditioning, chassis, petrol engine diagnostics and DieselPoint. Workshops can take on as many, or as few, as they wish and do not have to operate as a fully branded Delphi centre if they are affiliated with another company.

The expansion forms part of Delphi’s plans to grow its aftermarket business in Europe by more than 60% by 2011. Europe is already its biggest region. DieselPoint gives independent workshops access, through Delphi, to the required tools, diagnostic equipment and training to service modern diesel engines.

The programme will be introduced in the UK starting with DieselPoint and the remaining options will be offered in 2008.

The company would not put a figure on how many centres it wants to recruit in the UK, simply stating “many”.

“We already have 4,000 diesel centres, but they’re focused on old diesel technology,” said Frank Ordoñez, vice-president of Delphi. “Adding Delphi DieselPoint to the programme will open the door for independent garages to service the fast-growing diesel industry.”

“Delphi will incentivise garages to offer all the services by providing training, tools, support and parts,” says Ordoñez. “So we’re hoping that eventually they’ll sign up for all four concepts.”