With new innovations making cars more complex by the day, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket, is becoming an increasingly important partner for independent garages, helping them to come to terms with the new technologies involved.

One of the company’s key objectives is to make things easier for garages and their customers, despite all the complexity involved. This is a challenge, but one that can be overcome with system expertise and market knowledge, explains Jens Schüler, President GKAM, Global Sales & Marketing Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket. He says, “Schaeffler is an acknowledged specialist and innovator in the powertrain, engine and chassis segments, and a leading global development partner for vehicle manufacturers. Moreover, our Automotive Aftermarket division is a longstanding and reliable partner that provides support and inspiration to the independent aftermarket and independent garages. There is no-one better placed than we are to provide the right answers to important questions about the car service of the future.”

The Schaeffler division aims to ensure convenience in three areas:

Customer convenience: - describes the aim of considering every development and service, and every offer, from the perspective of the garage. Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket therefore puts the garage and its needs in focus and seeks ways to offer added value. This is why, for example, the company has joined forces with the data platform CARUSO to promote free access to vehicle data and why it also worked with other companies to launch the online appointment booking system Repdate that can be easily integrated into garage systems.

Repair convenience:- means always putting together the best possible package for a repair and thinking beyond the mere spare part as such. For example, Schaeffler’s product range contains a lot of repair kits, because often it is no longer sufficient just to replace the part with obvious wear. Instead, the entire system has to be considered. So in addition to the replacement part, the repair kits also include all necessary accessories, special tools and information for professional and system-compatible disassembly and installation. That is a major advantage for garages, because they can satisfy their customers with just one visit to the garage, in what is known as “fixed first visit”.

Commercial convenience: - is about making garages commercially more successful. Here too, repair kits play a crucial role as they generate more turnover because they contain more parts. Schaeffler is also doing something to help garages more efficient and profitable when it comes to the parts ordering process. Since 2020 the company has been collaborating with the startup Auteon, which runs a platform of the same name, where garages can quickly identify spare parts, compare their availability and costs from selected dealers, and then place an order.

Tapping into new trends and preparing for them in advance are essential for the long-term success of a garage. Schaeffler is therefore working on solutions that allow garages to participate in new trends. For example, by helping shape the process of digitalization. “We consider digitalization to be an opportunity to support complex repair procedures on site and intensify the dialog with our customers worldwide,” says Schüler. In this conjunction, REPXPERT will increasingly play an important role. The Schaeffler service brand provides garage professionals with the appropriate special tools and repair support, not just via traditional channels like personal trainings or hotlines, but increasingly with the help of digital formats like virtual installation instructions and training sessions.

At the same time, Schaeffler is helping to ensure that the independent garages do not lose out on the electric mobility business. For example, the company has its sights set firmly on the independent aftermarket, as it develops its e-axles and hybrid modules for electric vehicle manufacturers all over the world. When electric vehicles become relevant for the independent aftermarket, Schaeffler will be ready with an aligned portfolio of repair solutions and services to support garages. Solutions that make it easy for garages to benefit from the increasing prevalence of electric vehicles and tap into this new segment themselves for a secure and profitable future.