As announced in PMM and on the PMM Podcast, Allied Nippon is bringing a new range of EV engineered brake pads to market this spring. Here, the firm presents its case that the new EV+ range offers independent workshops an invaluable opportunity to upsell to the owners of the now more than one million EVs currently registered in the UK.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of the automotive aftermarket, brake manufacturer Allied Nippon has introduced its EV+ range. Specifically engineered for EVs, this new range of brake pads is poised to impact the way motor factors and garages approach braking solutions for the ever-growing fleet of EVs.
With the latest SMMT figures confirming over one million EVs are now in operation across the country, and the EV share of vehicle parc steadily increasing, the company’s move to launch a dedicated EV range could hardly have come at a better time. EV+ project lead and Allied Nippon development manager, Matt Ellis, said:
“The EV market demands specialised solutions, considering the unique challenges posed by the increased weight and speed of these vehicles. EVs are known for their rapid acceleration and substantial weight due to large battery packs, necessitating a need for a dedicated brake pad specification.
“Allied Nippon was early to develop the EV+ range; prototypes were initially shown at Automechanika Frankfurt back in September 2022, but our strategy was to wait for the market to be ready for the product range. With the UK EV parc now topping seven figures, the time has come for EV+.”
Engineered for EVs
The EV+ range is not just a rebrand of an existing product, but a ground-up development tailored to meet the distinctive needs of EVs. The primary objectives were clear: enhanced stopping power and ultralow noise. Allied Nippon has achieved this through its meticulous development processes, by combining a new friction compound with a scorching treatment and its signature BRAKEBOOST Instant Friction layer.
The weight and speed of EVs require a capable braking system. Consequently, Allied Nippon’s development team has introduced a new friction compound in EV+ brake pads, heat-treated through scorching for enhanced stability. This, coupled with the BRAKEBOOST Instant Friction layer, ensures superior stopping power, addressing the challenges posed by heavy EVs.
Furthermore, recognising the smooth driving characteristics of EVs, Allied Nippon has placed a strong emphasis on noise reduction. With EVs being quieter than their internal combustion engine counterparts, EV+ brake pads achieved an AA-rating during testing, with a peak output of just 88dB. When you consider that a sound below 70dB is essentially inaudible to those inside the vehicle, this peak output showcases the success of Allied Nippon in creating a hushed braking solution.
Upselling to customers
Matt underlined the significant upselling opportunity that EV+ provides for motor factors and garages: “EV+ presents a chance to not only meet the evolving needs of EVs but also to elevate the customer experience and drive additional revenue. By effectively communicating the benefits of enhanced stopping power and ultra-low noise, EV+ premium brake pads offer a genuine opportunity for aftermarket businesses to increase their EV revenues.
“As a specialised EV product, EV+ is competitively priced whilst remaining aligned with Allied Nippon’s ethos of offering world class quality. The unique selling points of EV+ position it as more than just a braking solution; it becomes a value-added proposition for customers seeking the right service parts for their EVs.”
As EVs continue to make their indelible mark on the automotive aftermarket, Allied Nippon’s EV+ brake pads stand out as a strategic opportunity.
Matt concluded: “The upselling potential embedded in EV+ goes beyond offering a product; it’s about providing a greater experience for EV owners and, in turn, maximising revenue in the era of electric mobility. Don’t just meet the demand; exceed expectations and drive revenue growth with Allied Nippon’s EV+.”
The initial EV+ range caters for 37 popular part numbers, including the Nissan Leaf, Renault Zoe, Tesla Model 3, and Jaguar I-PACE. Additionally, where the model is an exclusive EV application with no ICE variant, EV+ will be the only Allied Nippon reference available moving forward.
