While we are passionate about motoring, we also understand the pressures and issues of the industry.
These include the question of fossil fuels and pollution, as well as the rising cost of owning a car.
Just like the rest of The Co-operative Group, we are fully aware of our responsibilities to our customers and members, to our communities and to our planet. This is what we mean by our ethical approach, and it means we always look to do the right thing and make a real difference. Recent initiatives to help our customers and the environment include:
Emissions Reduction programme
Cars are essential, but they also create pollution. That is why we launched our Emission Control Service in 2010: a routine service designed to reduce exhaust emissions, improve fuel economy and restore lost power.
We are helping customers get the most out of their cars, while causing minimum impact on the environment. More than 3,500 of motorists have used the service so far, and working in partnership with an environmental organisation, Climate Care, we have re-invested a percentage of the profit (some £10,665) in carbon offsetting initiatives in developing countries, including Uganda (replanting rainforests), West Bengal and India (irrigation).
Driving down the cost of motoring
Recognising the rising costs of running a car, and the fact that many people are having to cut-back on vital servicing, we have launched a unique ‘Driving Down The Cost of Motoring’ initiative. To help our customers to pay for servicing and repairs, we have kept labour rates affordable and introduced interest-free loans.
Price Promise and Service Charter
As part of our ongoing commitment to value and quality service, we have launched an after-sales charter and price promise guarantee. Among other benefits, this means we will match any ‘like-for-like’ servicing and repair quotation using genuine manufacturer parts. Similarly, if a customer can find an identical car for less than they have paid The Co-operative Motor Group, we will match that price and throw in £100 worth of vouchers for good measure.
Commitment to diversity
Nobody, anywhere, is so openly and firmly committed to diversity. We value difference, and welcome people from all backgrounds and life interests. You can find evidence of this throughout the Co-operative Group: for example, we have even won awards for our work in supporting women at work. The Motor Group shares this commitment at all levels, as well as in all our marketing and sponsorship activity where we sponsor Bradford and Leeds Pride.
Motability Premier Partner
Committed to making affordable motoring available to all of our customers, we are proud to be a ‘Premier Partner’ of Motability, an independent not-for-profit organisation, which gives disabled people access to safe, reliable and affordable cars.