Date: January 2003

Kayaba continues the drive to develop its UK aftermarket business with the launch of its new shock absorber catalogue for 2003. The catalogue contains full details of KYB shock absorbers and associated products - mounting kits and protection kits - all in one easy-to-read European catalogue.

The company is also taking the opportunity to rationalise one of its existing product ranges by re-branding what was called ‘Super’ with a new global name - Excel-G. Excel-G is the standard OE replacement for cars originally fitted with gas charged shock absorbers, while also offering an economical upgrade for many other makes and models. Customer benefits include improved handling and performance, as well as the prevention of performance fade to give better vehicle control, road holding, comfort and safety.

As the world’s largest supplier of shock absorbers to vehicle manufacturers with a 23% market share, Kayaba now offers four shock absorber ranges to installers - Premium, Excel-G, Gas-A-Just, and Ultra SR. A further range, AGX, is being introduced during the year for high performance/sports applications. This new introduction, together with the associated products, underpins Kayaba’s strategy to becoming the ‘suspension specialist’.

Additionally in the United Kingdom, the company has recently launched a full range of KYB branded K-Flex replacement coil springs and K-Force lowered spring kits, complete with a dedicated catalogue, a new edition of which will be published shortly.

The new Kayaba shock absorber catalogue literally covers the A - Z of car marques - from Alfa Romeo to Zastava - and includes a wide range of cars, car derived vans (CDVs) and light commercial vehicles (LCVs).

New applications for 2003 include the Alfa Romeo 147, Honda Jazz, new VW Beetle, SEAT Leon, Vauxhall/Opel Corsa and Toyota Avensis, while more unusual and classic cars are also covered, including the Triumph Stag, Renault Fuego, Peugeot 404 and Nissan Cedric! In fact, there’s a Kayaba shock absorber to fit almost every car on the road.

The catalogue’s 306 pages detail the shock absorbers and other suspension components appropriate for each make and model of vehicle - listed alphabetically - as well as by engine size and year of manufacture. Other valuable information included is the fitting time for a pair of shocks, as well as advice on shock absorber replacement and safety hints. There are cut-away diagrams of the different product types, as well as technical guidelines for the disposal of defective components.

Commented Tony Parr, assistant general manager of Kayaba UK: "Our new catalogue will be one of the first into the aftermarket at the start of the new year, beating many of our competitors who often don’t have their new literature available for several months.

"We have invested a considerable amount in launching new applications and products, new marketing materials and new KYB packaging, and we’re keen to keep up the momentum. We believe that by offering world class components at competitive prices and all backed up with the highest levels of personal service, the aftermarket trade will really see a benefit from working with Kayaba."

- ends -

Ref: KYB01/2003