The motoring world has witnessed its fair share of sadness with the disappearance of cherished motoring brands like Saab and MG Rover, as well as Mitsubishi’s exit from the Irish market. These brands were more than just manufacturers; they represented innovation, unique design, and a deep connection to a community of car enthusiasts and owners. The emotional impact of these losses is profound, as motorists strive to keep their beloved vehicles running, despite an increasing difficulty in sourcing parts. In this world of nostalgia and challenge, Klarius offers hope for these beloved classics.
With a steadfast commitment to providing high-quality replacement exhausts, Klarius ensures that these automotive legends can continue their journey on Irish roads. Its dedication to upholding the legacy of these now-defunct brands reflects not just an understanding of automotive history but also its respect for the community of owners and enthusiasts who are determined to keep their vehicles in prime condition.
Parts from the past: Navigating dead-end roads
Keepers of cherished vehicles are confronting a stark reality: the once plentiful supply of OEM components is dwindling rapidly, complicating the search for replacements that meet or exceed the original quality and performance. With nearly 3,000[1] Saabs, around 900 MG Rovers and over 16,000 Mitsubishis still on Irish roads, finding suitable parts, particularly exhaust systems essential for performance and emissions compliance, is increasingly challenging. This scarcity not only tests the resilience of owners but also demands solutions that ensure compatibility and adhere to the latest environmental regulations, avoiding issues like reduced efficiency or potential mechanical damage. The pursuit of parts that perfectly fit and meet stringent standards underscores the complexity of maintaining these vehicles today.
As the availability of OEM parts continues to shrink, owners are increasingly compelled to seek alternatives that can guarantee the longevity and legality of their beloved vehicles. This highlights the need for indispensable role of reliable suppliers, like Klarius, who can provide reliable, quality, compliant, and well-fitting exhaust systems, ensuring these automotive legends can continue to grace our roads.
Supporting heritage with precision and innovation
For owners of heritage vehicles, the search for components for cars that are either discontinued or unsupported by their original manufacturers often ends in frustration. This void in the market underscores a critical need for alternative, dependable resources. There’s a substantial opportunity for manufacturers to position themselves as leading providers in the aftermarket sector, addressing the vacuum left by mainstream brands. These new players must not only offer a wide range of high-quality replacement parts like exhausts, but also ensure that these parts meet modern emissions standards and facilitate a driving experience that echoes the glory of their first journey as they rolled off the production line, through quality lead design that matches or exceeds the OEM specification.
A key strategy for component manufacturers to guarantee precision in their products is the establishment of a robust research and development (R&D) infrastructure. This setup should include a dedicated team, whose ambition and commitment extend well beyond simply producing replacement parts. The presence of an R&D team is crucial, as it facilitates rapid prototyping, a process central to transforming innovative concepts into testable prototypes poised for real-world evaluation.
An integral part of the development process is a rigorous testing protocol conducted on a bespoke test track that replicates various driving scenarios. This comprehensive evaluation is crucial to confirm each system’s performance and reliability against the exacting standards set by European regulations.
Catalogue depth and customer commitment
To keep up with growing demand, the scope of a manufacturer’s catalogue should span over thousands of applications, catering to a wide array of vehicles, from the most beloved models to the rarest gems. This comprehensive approach, coupled with a meticulous testing and certification process, will instil confidence in vehicle owners and mechanics alike, assuring them of the uncompromising quality and safety of each component.
Minimising vehicle downtime can be also achieved by providing customer-centric services such as next-day delivery and ‘Fit First Time’ guarantees, enabling garages to deliver efficient and reliable service and less time on the ramp. Such dedication to customer support cements a manufacturer’s position as an essential player in preserving the legacy of vehicles from defunct manufacturers.
Beyond exhausts: Klarius’ commitment to quality and support
Choosing Klarius exhausts offers unparalleled advantages, underscored by rigorous adherence to quality standards and comprehensive support for a diverse range of models, especially those from manufacturers that have ceased operations or no longer support older vehicles.
Klarius’s confidence in the reliability and performance of its exhaust systems is manifest in a solid 2-year warranty for relevant components. This assurance is bolstered by certifications and type approvals from prestigious bodies like the TÜV in Europe, underlining the products’ compliance with exacting emissions regulations and reliability standards.
With the constant introduction of new vehicle models and the gradual fading of heritage brands, Klarius recognises the unique challenges and opportunities this presents. Its dedication to quality, innovation, and support does more than just keep vehicles running; it preserves a piece of automotive history, ensuring that the cars we’ve come to know and love can continue to be a part of our lives and stories.
[1] https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/262816/9d7a6354-2599-47f4-b4f4-ad6345ccd297.pdf#page=22
