“Activated carbon-rich premium cabin filters are the preferred options in countries such as France, Germany and Italy, where they highlight the greater protection provided to all occupants inside cars,” says Corteco sales and marketing manager Steve Jarnet.
Conversely, many UK garages fit standard cabin filters, those without any activated carbon, or decline to replace them altogether in a bid to remain price competitive.
Consequently, profit margins on sales are larger in neighbouring countries.
As the aftermarket distribution arm of Freudenberg, which is one of the world’s leading OE manufacturers of cabin filters, Corteco is well placed to make the comparison between European markets.
It’s MicronAir cabin filters are fitted as OE by most car manufacturers in many of their model range.
Unintentional downgrading?
Corteco points out that for many cars, installing a standard cabin filter actually represents a downgrade in quality if the OE part is an activated carbon-based product.
As well as removing very fine dust particles and tiny pollen spores, cabin filters with activated carbon can remove the smells and gases that adversely affect comfort levels, cause irritation and may exacerbate health conditions related to hearts, lungs and other organs.
Research shows that if cabin filters go unchanged, the air inside the car can be worse than it is outside by as much as six times.
Steve Jarnet added: “Independent garages abroad tend to focus on the health and comfort aspects.
“Drivers almost invariably follow their advice, which means they are happy to pay the cost of preventing smells and gases from becoming additional irritants to themselves and their families.
“I can’t see why UK drivers would think anything different.”
For more information about Corteco filters, select ‘more details’ below.