Automotive parts supplier Autobax extended its range of Gates automotive components in March this year by introducing drive belts specifically designed for high-mileage cars.

This involved a soft launch of the RoadMAX belt to existing customers across South Africa, following which South Africa entered lockdown to curb the spread of Covid-19, says Autobax MD John Black.

“The RoadMAX belt offers customers a high-quality product that is competitively priced.”

He describes demand for the product since its launch as “very good under the current lockdown conditions”, which have restricted the movement of sales staff and resulted in decision-makers working from home.

During the pandemic, Autobax customers that have indicated their interest in the RoadMAX belt have marketed the product to their customer base.

RoadMAX has been developed by US-based power transmission belt manufacturer Gates technical and engineering teams, in line with German national organisation for standardisation Deutsches Institut für Normung standards, to meet the growing demand for replacement components for high-mileage vehicles, says Black.

“RoadMAX belts, which offer optimal performance in older vehicles, complement the premium Gates range of light and heavy-duty belts.”

Priced-by-performance RoadMAX belts feature optimised dimensions, good belt flexibility and stability, as well as smooth-running operations, he explains.

Autobax is the preferred Gates service provider in South Africa and the sole distributor of its entire range of automotive timing components in the country.

The Autobax range of branded automotive parts also encompasses oil pumps, timing chains and bearings, as well as allied products supplied by manufacturers, which include MRK, NTN, Europart, STC and NSK. The company is also the exclusive kit packer for US-based bearings and power transmission products manufacturer Timken.

Autobax acquired Driveshaft Parts Group, which services passenger cars; light-commercial, heavy-duty, off-highway and agricultural vehicles; and vehicles for industrial sectors, including steel mills, paper mills and marine operations, at the end of 2018.

Through this acquisition, the Driveshaft Parts Group benefits from valuable synergies that enhance the company’s leading position in the automotive and power-transmission component industry, says Autobax.

The Driveshaft Parts Group – with five outlets in South Africa and branches in Poland, Ukraine, Spain and the UK – specialises in the supply and support of universal and CV joints, propshaft support bearings and all components relating to the repair of drive shafts and complete shafts. In addition to the in-house trademark, key brands include Spicer, Tirsan Kardan and Gewes.

Autobax, which celebrated 50 years of business last year, continues to expand its product range and solutions offering to meet exact market demand throughout Southern Africa.