Delphi supplies ‘hard-to-obtain’ Maserati brakes for Kent specialist

A Kent-based independent Maserati specialist is motoring ahead thanks to a recent shift away from increasingly costly OEM brake components, with Delphi stepping in to provide its superior quality aftermarket parts to the garage, and this support is set to widen soon.

Giallo Cars, based in Tonbridge, is focused on the niche Italian marque, seeing up to 15 vehicles a week for servicing and repair work. “We estimate there are around 100 Maseratis over three years old, owned through Kent and Sussex from here to Hastings,” said Managing Director Mathew Sage, “and we work on 80 of them.” Customers also come from London, Essex, Surrey and Hampshire, with the garage well-known right across the UK.

The business, which originally opened its doors in 2005, now runs out of a spacious two-ramp facility close to the centre of town, fielding two technicians plus Mathew, supported by a service manager and a driver. 

While Giallo Cars has clearly cornered the Maserati market in the South-East and beyond, the business faces challenges familiar to garages of all types, with the need to keep parts pricing realistic at the top of the list. When even Giallo’s well-heeled clientele began to baulk at the cost of some original Maserati components, with brake part prices giving them particular pause, Mathew knew it was time to look for an alternative source.

“When the vehicle is new and you’ve just spent £120,000, you expect the brakes to be expensive,” he said. “Those buying them five years on aren't so keen on paying premium prices though, but they still want branded items. I was concerned that finding an alternative could be difficult. Maserati is a very small make, meaning it’s costly for parts manufacturers to mass produce compatible components.”

Fortunately, the business has a strong working relationship with the local GSF Car Parts branch, based in nearby Tunbridge Wells. “We only use GSF Car Parts. The staff are just so good. If they can’t get a part, then only the dealer can. I spoke to our GSF Car Parts rep, and he suggested that Delphi might be able to help on our braking issue.”

As a leading Tier-1 OE manufacturer, Delphi’s brake components are designed, manufactured and tested to meet the same standards of performance as OE, and they cover a myriad of carmakers, crucially including Maserati. With a trusted name to boot, this proved to be the match that Mathew was looking for.

The garage has now shifted over to using Delphi braking components, and thanks to GSF Car Parts, a ready supply is always available. “Our customers are really happy with the quality, and the more realistic price. Our local GSF Car Parts branch keeps it all in stock for us, so we can just request it as we need it.”

With the move to Delphi brake parts a success, the team at Giallo are looking to see if more Delphi parts could be used. “Delphi steering and suspension components could be a great option for us too,” said Mathew.

“Delphi’s braking coverage is extensive,” said Alan Bodfish, UK Sales Manager at Delphi. “We cover most mainstream makes, but we also make sure that parts are available for vehicles from much smaller manufacturers. We are delighted when we can help specialist garages such as Giallo Cars, who are making sure that Maserati owners have a choice when it comes to servicing and repairs.

“We are working closely with Mathew and the team, as well as their local GSF Car Parts branch to identify other areas where Delphi could offer a more cost-effective solution.”

Mathew concluded: “Thanks to Delphi and GSF Car Parts, we can make sure we can get the parts we need at prices both we and our customers like.”