End-of-life car hubs, key players in the circular economy » PACA’s economic and policy letter
Nelson Jourdin, founder of Gièvres Auto and co-director of the CARECO network, appreciates the rapidly changing profession.
Casseurs 2.0: the sector of the future in favor of purchasing power and the environment
CARECO Gièvres Auto (41), run by Nelson Jourdin, is one of France’s most innovative and largest “car destroyers”. Participating in recycling, pollution and accessibility at the best price, the Gièvres Auto teams work for the environment and the circular economy thanks to “reuse” parts with a record recycling rate (95%), but also “rebuild”. VHU and their return to the road.
In this center, which includes more than 250,000 spare parts ready for reuse, Nelson Jourdin has developed an optimized sorting, repair, certification and warranty process with a local or online sales offer.
Today, it is developing its “car rebuilding” proposition with one goal: to give a second life to cars classified as ELV and to offer as many people as possible a new purchase alternative between new and used at the best price. .
– Offering reusable parts reduces repair costs
The latest ELV decree, published on December 1, 2022, places the vehicle scrapping activity at the center of the vehicle decontamination strategy through the resale of used parts.
Thus, “wreckers”, now called dismantlers-recyclers, play a strategic and economic role in the management of end-of-life cars, recycling of parts, as well as in the creation of new types of cars. .
Among more than 1,600 ELV centers, 800 carry out this dismantling-recycling activity, accessible to professionals and individuals.
From 2017, car repairers must quote new or used parts, and insurers must include this quote to avoid vehicles being declared economically unrepairable. About 95% of this market is provided by insurers through damaged vehicles.
Resale between -30% and -70% cheaper, reused parts reduce repair costs and are increasingly in demand.
The health crisis and parts shortages fueled the market.
It is estimated that in 2022, approximately 20 million parts will be removed from end-of-life vehicles for recycling (20 average parts per ELV based on 1 million ELVs per year), which represents an increase of +8% in 1 year. Only 3-5% of the entire market today, these reusable parts have strong growth potential in the coming years.
The democratization of reuse
In order to better know the profession, its offers and to popularize the “break” purchase, Nelson Jourdin launched the “Fair at 15€” day at Gièvres Auto in 2008! This annual event offers genuine open doors for all audiences, ALL recycled parts for €15, be it an engine, door or a simple exhaust pipe…
– “Reset” VHU to create a new proposal between VN and VO
Today, we are no longer talking about “car scrapping”, but about the End-of-Life Vehicle (ELV) Recycling Center. The European Union has brought this topic to the fore, encouraging manufacturers to favor “more circular” production. Indeed, on a European scale, 12 million vehicles reach the end of their useful life each year, of which 1.3 million are declared end-of-life (ELV) in France.
Gièvres Auto has been doing car restoration for years to restore the car to its original condition. This includes mechanics, electronics, bodywork, interior parts, wheels, glasses… if necessary.
Nelson Jourdin optimizes prices and quality of service with reusable parts and modern equipment and components, whose repairs provide professional guarantees and maintenance is easier and cheaper.
Gièvres Auto puts several cars on the road each year following a strict procedure before, during and after repairs. The vehicle can be driven only after the conformity check issued by the vehicle expert. Cars that are not repaired at the facility are sold only to automotive specialists.
– Recycle to protect the environment
The production and construction of vehicles and new parts has a negative impact on the environment.
The automotive industry must reduce its environmental footprint, both upstream and downstream.
Due to the rate of reuse, recycling and energy recovery for used car parts, it is estimated that the car completes the pollution and recycling process of about 95% of its weight.
Brake fluid, battery, air conditioner coolant, etc. hazardous waste is also recycled by certified and approved organizations.
”The final decree will allow to strengthen the tracking of vehicles, waste and recycled parts and create new synergies between manufacturers, eco-organizations and automotive experts. It is also a manageable, safe and economical proposition that meets the purchasing power of individuals in an increasingly expensive car market. More than a depot for damaged cars, Gièvres Auto is an autonomous ecosystem. It aims to create a new ‘rebuild’ network in a reusable approach to recycling ELVs and ensuring the traceability of reusable parts, as well as getting vehicles back on the road.
As in clothing, as in furniture… recycling in the automotive sector, one of the world’s most polluting sectors, is a common-sense solution that must be adopted urgently,” comments Nelson Jourdin.
Affordability and the environment: the DNA of Gièvres Auto
When he bought Gièvres Auto in 1996, Nelson Jourdin completely overturned its codes and modus operandi.
In addition to the store, from 2020, professional and private customers will be able to purchase headlights, mirrors, engines, wheels, etc. from end-of-life vehicle (VHU) scrapping on the website.
This “break 2.0” has the advantage of offering parts with a 1-year warranty throughout France.
About Gièvres Auto
Gievres Auto CARECO, an end-of-life vehicle recycling center (VHU) in Loir et Cher, in the heart of the Val de Loire, has established itself as a leader in used parts since 1996. Every year, Gièvres Auto processes around 4,000 ELVs from partnerships with insurance companies, mutual companies, automotive specialists and even individuals. The company offers more than 250,000 re-used parts, all computerized, under original reference, traceability ensuring parts origin and guarantees.
Its prefectural approval and Qualicert service certificate (SGS) confirm that the vehicles entrusted to it are regularly treated in accordance with the regulations established by law, observing the procedures for the removal of materials, materials from waste, dismantling, recycling and the monitoring of the use of their vehicles. taken for their complete elimination.
In 2009, the company joined the CARECO France group. Nelson Jourdin is its co-director since 2020.
