Automotive battery manufacturer and distributor Chloride Zimbabwe, whose Exide battery brand has remained a market leader since 1952, has launched a market education campaign aimed at safeguarding their clients from unscrupulous peddlers of fake batteries and other fly-by-night players.
The Exide automotive battery has been around for decades and many players in the sector benchmark their success and operations against the brand.
However, there has been a rise in substandard products some of which are misleadingly branded Exide with a view to hoodwink the unsuspecting end user.
Speaking to Standard Style, Chloride Zimbabwe general manager Kudzai Pasipanodya said they have seen it fit to launch a tailor-made campaign aimed at educating the market about their products at the same time protecting their clients from unscrupulous peddlers of counterfeits.
“A lot of work goes into the production of our Exide range of batteries and because over the years we have continued to play an important role in the local economy, we feel duty bound to educate the market and safeguard the brand,” he said.
“Beyond trusting the unmistakable Exide logo, it is prudent that clients only buy the original Exide battery from our nationwide Exide Express shops and authorized dealers to avoid fakes.
“Because we trust our workmanship, all Exide battery products come with a 12-month warranty, which protects the client should there be any unforeseen malfunction within the stipulated time. The goal is to give our cherished clients value for money.”
Some of the peddlers of fake batteries have been known to peddle low priced products, which simply bear the Exide logo to hoodwink the loyal Exide brand clients.
“We value our clients’ loyalty and we are happy that we have continued to enjoy a good share of the market thanks to our innovations and numerous promotions aimed at rewarding our valued clients,” Pasipanodya said.
“We, however, warn them against criminal peddlers of fake batteries who want to milk unsuspecting clients using a fake version of their trusted brand.
“The best is to buy from authorized dealers and Exide Express shops where you enjoy amazing customer care plus proper guidance on battery care and maintenance,” Pasipanodya said.
“The Exide Tried and Tested campaign has roped in various influencers and other content creator with a view to amplify the correct narrative on how to enjoy the Exide battery brand.
“We want to educate our community on where to buy the quality original Exide battery, how to maintain it and how they can enjoy our free battery checking services at the same time saving big through ongoing promotions.
“We are, therefore, roping in various influencers to help us communicate the right message to our clients.
“We value the symbiotic relationship we enjoy with our clients and the hope is that we ride on that influence to educate as many Zimbabweans as possible.”
Pasipaodya said the campaign would also educate the market on the importance of battery care and maintenance so that they enjoy the best out of every Exide battery purchase.
“We also intent to educate the client on effective battery care so that they enjoy the best value possible,” he said.
“A battery must be serviced every three months and we want our clients to get guidance from our nationwide branches on battery care ad service.
“You can go to any Exide Express Shop for free battery checking services after which they can advise you on how best to service it.
“All this is aimed at safeguarding the client and again should there be any challenge with our products, the warranty facility comes in handy.”
Pasipanodya also took the opportunity to educate the market on their cherished and unparalleled battery making process highlighting that the process is water tight and the company only buys scrap battery as an environment protection undertaking and all the collected scrap batteries are broken with only the lead extracted for use in their tried and tested process.
“We are a professional and environment friendly company and because over the years we have continued to get amazing support from all Zimbabweans, we feel duty bound to give back through quality products while protecting the market,” he said.
“We, therefore, buy scrap batteries, which clients can trade in when buying a new one.
“As an environment protection measure, the old batteries are broken down with only the lead professionally extracted for use in our battery making process.”
The company has also continued to reward its clients with their flagship annual winter promotion giving away a lot of prizes to lucky clients among them brand new cars, full solar systems as well as automotive batteries.
Chloride Zimbabwe specialises in manufacturing and distribution of motive and standby batteries, solar panels inverters and other accessories.
The company has continued to reinvent and introduce safer and sustainable power solutions to its clientele.