GAINESVILLE, Va.—The Hybrid Shop L.L.C. (THS) has expanded its international footprint with the addition of Singapore's Optima Werkz to its network of dealer partners using its hybrid/electric vehicle (HEV) servicing technology.
For THS, which specializes in HEV diagnostic, repair, maintenance and battery reconditioning, the addition marks its first entry into the Asian market.
Founded in 2012, Optima Werkz is “among the largest and best-equipped service companies in Singapore,” THS said, with a combined 30,000 square feet of workshop space at its three outlets. THS services will be offered at two of them.
“The partners at Optima Werkz approached us with a high level of interest in expanding their already robust service offerings to include Hybrid and Electric vehicles,” THS Marketing Director Jen Martin told Tire Business. “In doing our due diligence, it was clear that they not only operated state-of-the-art auto repair facilities with multiple locations, but they were also in a market that was begging for this type of service. It was a natural fit.”
Through its partnership and training with THS, Optima Werkz can now service hybrid and electric vehicles fully and provide THS' hybrid battery pack conditioning service. According to THS, the “green” service restores up to 95 percent of the battery pack's original power and energy, while driving significant increased fuel economy over the vehicle's lifetime.
In addition to battery pack conditioning, Optima Werkz will offer a comprehensive menu of services for hybrid customers that includes testing of electric transmissions, DC-DC converters, power inverters and control systems, along with other hybrid specific maintenance.
Key advantages and savings that Optima Werkz clients can expect from the firm's new services, according to THS, include:
c Cost-savings—Battery Pack Conditioning is approximately one third the cost of battery replacement. An underperforming hybrid battery results in decreased fuel economy and torque. Before The Hybrid Shop's introduction of proprietary battery conditioning technology, hybrid owners' only option was battery replacement which could cost as much as $4,000- $9,000;
c Enhanced fuel economy—Battery Pack Conditioning results in 10-35 percent fuel economy improvement, depending on the initial state of the battery at the time of service; and
c Enhanced vehicle performance—Every HEV undergoing these services will perform more efficiently, cost less to operate, and experience improved drivability, THS said.
Optima Werkz also will offer the optional State of Health (SOH) program that assesses how a vehicle's overall systems are performing to deliver maximum results, reliability and cost-savings.
“THS is honored to partner with Optima Werkz, our first international Dealer Partner in Singapore, and to not only certify their team in our battery conditioning service but as experts in care of hybrid vehicles as well,” Dave Crawford, CEO of The Hybrid Shop, said in a press release.
“It is also a very exciting time for THS. We are currently exploring expanding our network into Australia and are attracting interest from business across Europe and Asia as well.”
Along with its new Singapore locations, THS now has 39 locations operating within the U.S. and one in Puerto Rico. Though the firm is beginning to grow internationally, Ms. Martin said its main focus continues to be building its dealer network within North America by “supporting our current dealer partners” and adding new locations in the U.S. and Canada.
“While we aren't actively marketing to or pursuing international partners, we receive inquiries and speak to interested parties from across the globe almost daily,” she added. “These international opportunities are carefully evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and when we feel there is a good fit, we move forward.”
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