Comline Auto Parts, the leading parts supplier for European, Japanese and Korean cars and vans, has secured its place in the European aftermarket league by building its brand on its no-frills business model. With ‘quality product at a sensible price’ as its motto, the business has seen considerable sales and market share growth in its 21 year history. However, Comline stands right by the side of its distributors when it comes to supporting them; particularly when it comes to a mutual passion for racing.

For some years now Comline has supported a number of distributors by sponsoring rally cars. The latest beneficiary is major Welsh distributor, Bob Fowden, owner of Bob Fowden Motor factors Ltd. Racing a Subaru Imprezia, fitted with Comline discs, Comline sponsored the rally car in the Welsh National Championship throughout 2012.

Comline’s sales and marketing director, Malcolm Rosher, explained: “At Comline, we don’t have company cars or stay in fancy hotels because we believe that by keeping our costs down, we can offer better value to the customer. But we still pride ourselves on the level of support which we show to our distributors. Many of our motor factors are real petrol heads, with a huge passion for motor and rally driving. By supporting them, we are helping to raise the profile of the drivers and their vehicles, the distributors businesses and the Comline brand.”

After emerging victorious with first place on the podium in 2011 and leading right up to the final race in the 2012 Championship, a serious vehicle fault ended Bob’s dreams of winning the Championship; and instead placed him in a very respectable second.

Bob began rally driving forty years ago in 1972, and always driving himself, competes in several events each year. Points accrued in the Welsh National Championship count towards the British Rally Championship. Bob Fowden Motor Factors Ltd is based in Llanelli, South West Wales. A family run business set up by Bob himself 34 years ago, four vans serve the local area three times daily with replacement car parts components. Employing six people, the business has been working with Comline for three years and stocks Comline friction and filtration lines.