RAC will be clamping down on the unauthorised use of its name and logo by garages.
The RAC is to more strictly control the use of its brand in the garage sector. The motoring organisation has recently become aware of a number of garages that are employing the RAC brand incorrectly or even falsely.
RAC Approved Garages spokesman Gary Wrightson-Heyworth said: “The RAC is aware of some garages using its logo without any permission or association and this is something that we will be clamping down on. Only those garages which are approved under our new retail scheme to offer and arrange our branded products and services, such as the RAC MOT Check and Repair Plan and the RAC Service Plan, are allowed to use our brand.
“Garages not offering these branded products and services are not approved and are not permitted to use the RAC brand or Approved Garage status. The RAC brand is rightly valued by customers as one of the most trustworthy in the UK and allowing its use in an uncontrolled manner where our brand equity is endangered makes no sense for consumers, properly authorised garages or the RAC itself.
“Garages spuriously using the RAC brand will be sought out and appropriate legal action will be taken where necessary to stop any unauthorised and misleading use. This is something that we are very much determined to stop.”
The RAC is stepping up its presence in the garage sector in response to growing member and consumer demand by launching a plan to find and work with the country’s best garages with a view to supporting its eight million-strong customer base.
Gary added: “As the motorist’s champion, our members and indeed consumers in general look to the RAC to help them find good garage services from good garages. This initiative has been designed to deliver on that expectation.
“We believe very strongly that having greater consistency in the way our brand is used by RAC Approved Garages will prove to be a long-term benefit for both garages and consumers. Any RAC Approved Garages that are unsure of their position on the use of RAC branding should contact us for guidance.”
