IAM:CONNECT - IN DIALOGUE WITH CUSTOMERS & PARTNERS ON IAM TOPICS OF THE FUTURE
What is IAM:CONNECT?
In short: IAM:CONNECT is MEYLE's innovative dialogue platform for the transformation topics of the independent aftermarket (IAM). In a personal dialogue with key players, we discuss their opportunities and challenges. Our aim is to better understand the current and future needs of our customers and partners (independent workshops, dealers, etc.). In an industry that is undergoing profound change, these challenges can be overwhelming when viewed individually. However, we are convinced that together we can overcome them. Let's work on the future together.
WHY WE ARE COMMITTED
The IAM is facing rapid change. We at MEYLE have listened deeply to the market. We wanted to understand what currently drives our customers & partners, what their expectations and challenges are. We launched the IAM:CONNECT initiative to work together on solutions and actively shape the transformation. Through direct, personal dialogue, we all gain a better understanding of the topics and requirements of the future independent aftermarket and strengthen our partnerships at the same time.
OUR DIALOGUE PARTNERS
For IAM:CONNECT, we conducted interviews with key IAM stakeholders, including associations, retailers, influencers and trade media. In cooperation with INNOFACT, we surveyed 274 independent garages in the DACH region.
- Electric mobility is not yet a reality for independent workshops. Services available for electric cars are generally limited to elements unrelated to the drive such as tyre changes.
- Once an IC engine, always an IC engine? One in five independent workshops has no plans to generate revenue with electric cars.
- When will workshops begin earning money with electric cars? 39% expect to generate more than half their revenue with electric cars within the next ten years.
- Close collaboration in the future: spare parts manufacturers are the most important partners to independent workshops and can help them with a variety of services.
Resistant to change: electric mobility at independent workshops
- Just 3% of independent workshops already generate more than half of their revenue with electric cars.
- Still, 39% expect a majority of their revenue to come from electric cars within the next ten years. And 40% report that they already have an electric car at the workshop at least once a week.
- Just one in five is currently qualified to offer the full range of services for electric cars. 78% are qualified to provide basic services for electric cars.
Support required!
- Independent workshops rely on the support of spare parts manufacturers. 64% of those surveyed consider them to be the most important partner.
- Premium support: access to diagnostic tools and repair services (65%).
- Those surveyed would like to see specific training courses and certifications (65%) and online platforms for technical support (60%).
The workshop of the future
- Complex services: 83% of workshops view the maintenance and repair of driver assistance systems as relevant services of the future.
- Major challenge: difficult at present, eco-friendly battery disposal will be decisive in the future (77%).
- The future is digital: 75% of those surveyed view software optimisation for improving workshop services as a key future innovation.
"The IAM is in motion. It is precisely these kinds of insights that we need in order to understand the challenges and pain points of workshops so that we can focus our product range accordingly. The results show that independent workshops need solutions beyond the conventional production of parts in order to keep pace in the future. Most independent players are far too small to make a difference on their own. That's why we at MEYLE want to collaborate with the industry to develop ideas for the independent aftermarket of the future. The basis for this is our dialog platform IAM:CONNECT," says Michael Grimm, Innovation Manager at MEYLE AG.
IAM:CONNECT AT THE AUTOMECHANIKA
Our motto for Automechanika is "Improving what's moving". Because we and the market are on the move. That's why we're using the trade fair as a platform not only to showcase our innovations, but also to engage in more dialogue with you. Visit us at the MEYLE stand in Hall 4.0, where you can expect exciting content and insights into trend developments, tasty snacks and networking around lunchtime. We also have a second exhibition stand in Workshop Hall 9.0. Would you like to find out more?
We'll keep you up to date!
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
With IAM:CONNECT, we want to bring together experts from all areas of our industry in the long term to work together on forward-looking solutions. We are convinced that the challenges of IAM require cooperation and an exchange of ideas. Only together we will be able to create real innovations and remain relevant in a dynamic market.
WHY YOU SHOULD PARTICIPATE AS A CUSTOMER & PARTNER
Together we are more than the sum of our parts! The IAM is undergoing a phase of transition with great challenges. In these times, we can anticipate developments through collaboration, develop innovative solutions together, and actively shape the future IAM. IAM:CONNECT transforms us from passive participants in the change to active shapers of our industry's future!