I strongly believe that Repdate will become the leading platform for automotive services in particular booking.
Thomas Winter - Global Head of Bosch Car Service
Our guest, Thomas, shared with us some amazing insights why Bosch personally believes in the potential behind Repdate: "It's an industry solution, which consolidates the offers across multiple networks for the car driver, and that's unique. These are important requirements to scale a digital offer and I strongly believe that Repdate will become the leading platform for automotive services in particular booking."
Thomas envisions the emergence of several significant trends within the next 5 to 10 years, with Generation Y, Z, and quite possibly Alpha by then, taking the forefront as the dominant customer group. He is firmly convinced that these forward-thinking individuals will bring with them a fresh perspective on mobility and digitalization.
Thomas foresees a significant surge in the prevalence of managed fleets, including ride-sharing and leasing fleets, in the near future. Recognizing the need for readiness within the Independent Aftermarket for this impending transition, the Repdate booking solution emerges as a valuable asset to ensure a smooth and successful adaptation to these evolving market dynamics.
Alex:
Thomas thanks a lot for having us here at your impressive offices in Karlsruhe at Bosch.
Tell us a bit about Bosch and what you do?
Thomas:
Thank you and very welcome to Karlsruhe. Bosch is obviously the largest automotive supplier in the world. Supplying a wide range of high tech components and also systems to the car manufacturers and with our Aftermarket division here in Karlsruhe we provide parts diagnostics and services to the wholesalers and also subsequently to the workshops to keep these vehicles moving.
We also operate a network of approximately 11,000 highly qualified workshops under the brand of Bosch Car Service and the Bosch Car Service Concept provides a comprehensive branding and service package to the workshop owners with the main goal to enable them, to optimise their businesses, to make them more successful and most importantly to keep them also prepared for the future.
Alex:
How and why did you start the collaboration with Repdate?
Thomas:
Well we believe that the digitalization in the Independent Aftermarket should be a joint effort of all industry leaders. I think we can achieve more together than each of us can do alone and with our booking solution we have a strong tool that is already being used and successfully in many markets and will also enrich the Repdate offering.
In my opinion Repdate creates a very transparent and also trustworthy booking experience for the car drivers.
Alex:
What challenges do you see in the Aftermarket at the moment? Where can Repdate help to address them?
Thomas:
The Aftermarket will be facing significant changes in the coming years mostly driven by demographic and also technological developments. This will inevitably require an adaption to the new customer expectations and also significantly higher level of digitalization. It’s our job as industry leaders to prepare the Aftermarket and in particular the workshops for these challenges and help them to transition into this new era.
I think Repdate offers a fully digitalized booking solution which suits the needs of a new generation of mobility users and connects them professionally with the workshop of their choice. It’s a great opportunity to gain new customers and to handle bookings in a convenient and also efficient way which can save them a lot of money and also increase their sales.
Alex:
Why do you believe in Repdate as a solution?
Thomas:
First of all I think Repdate is currently using the most sophisticated booking solution available in the market. Therefore the correct identification of the vehicles and also the related services is highly secure. It’s also an industry solution as we said which consolidates the offers across multiple networks for the car driver and that’s also unique.
These are important prerequisites to scale a digital offer and I strongly believe that Repdate will become the leading platform for automotive services in particular booking.
”We believe that the digitalization in the Independent Aftermarket should be a joint effort of all industry leaders. I think we can achieve more together than each of us can do alone and with our booking solution we have a strong tool that is already being successfully used in many markets and will also enrich the Repdate offering.
Thomas WinterThomas Winter - Global Head of Bosch Car Service
Alex:
How do you think, if we have an overall look, the Aftermarket will look like in let’s say the next 5 to 10 years from now?
Thomas:
First and foremost, we will see multiple trends reaching significance and maturity. Generation Y, Z and by that time probably also Alpha will become the dominant customer group with a new mindset about mobility and digitalization. We would also see a higher share of managed fleets in the market like for example right share or leasing fleets which we look for qualified workshops as partners.
And then of course the share of electric vehicles and also connected vehicles will increase exponentially. The Independent Aftermarket where we see it today, is mostly on the dealership site.
Therefore investments and qualification needs will likely cause consolidation in the workshop market because the workshops will need to spend money for equipment and qualification. It will become important for the workshops that they cooperate with strong partners to help them with these challenges.
Alex:
Thanks a lot for your for your insights Thomas and hope to see you soon in another session to talk more about the success of Repdate in the future!
Thomas:
Thank you and also thank you for having us.