The automotive aftermarket has been urged to keep pace with change and embrace the opportunities brought about by digitalisation in the latest, free-to-attend session of the Automechanika Automotive Aftermarket Webinar Series, ‘Digitalisation; Accelerating the recovery of the aftermarket.

Sponsored by ecommotors, the webinar gave stage to a panel of highly experienced industry professionals, including Dr Julia Saini, Associate Partner at Frost and Sullivan, Andrew Rowson, co-founder and Head of Services at ecommotors, and Peter Lawton, Senior Section Manager at SMMT. Hundreds of automotive professionals registered and joined the free-to-attend session, which was moderated by Mark Field, Director at Impression Communications.

Julia Saini kickstarted the proceedings explaining that in the face of the pandemic there has been a surge in digitalisation in the sale of parts, services offered to customers, retail opportunities and collaboration between the supply chain. Covid-19 has forced companies to push business models that wasn’t the main focus beforehand. This was supported by a poll taken throughout the course of the webinar, showing that 70% of respondents had invested in new digital technology over the past few months.

New demands include considering customer safety and wellbeing, contactless delivery in ecommerce parts and delivery, an online marketplace for booking parts, embracing the hygiene car care market such as cabin filters and vehicle sanitisation products, and on demand service models for mobile mechanics and parts including tyres, batteries and fuel.

Julia commented, “All of these changes will lead to a dramatic increase in opportunities. Disruptions will shape the aftermarket going forward and future vehicles will not be repaired but managed as digitalisation produces data that allows companies to plan ahead and prepare accordingly.”

An industry panel then discussed the practical steps needed to realise the benefits of digitalisation, urging the aftermarket to recognise that demands and relationships have changed as people want convenience and accessibility more than ever before. A second poll asked whether the industry needs to upskill to embrace digitalisation, with 91% of respondents believing it does.

Viewers were given the opportunity to partake in a Q&A session, with the panel providing a balanced dialogue, discussing how to protect against a second or third wave of Coronavirus, managing prices in a competitive market, and any changes to the route to market.

For those who were unable to attend the webinar, the live session has been recorded and is available at https://www.automechanika-birmingham.com/webinar