FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors

#ImportantNews: The European Union (finally) adopts a Repair Clause, allowing freedom of choice for visible automotive spare parts. Since its creation in 1993, ECAR - Freedom of repair, to which FIGIEFA has always been a proud member, has been advocating for the adoption of a European #RepairsClause which provides to all citizens a real, open and affordable ‘right to choose’. Already existing in several Member States, the Repair Clause rightly gives vehicle manufacturers full protection over the design of their new cars, but it merely ensures that this protection is not extended to the corresponding visible spare parts (such as car body panels, headlamps and windscreens). This means that these parts may freely be produced, distributed and used for repair purposes in the #Aftermarket. The EU Repair Clause will bring significant social and economic benefits. Once fully applied, experts predict that European consumers in the automotive sector will save between EUR 450 million and EUR 720 million annually thanks to increased competition, thus improving purchasing power and countering inflation. It will stimulate job creation and entrepreneurship in the European automotive aftermarket, which accounts for more than 500,000 SMEs and 4.5 million jobs! #RightToRepair #AutomotiveAftermarket

We now go back to the keynote by Wolk & Nikolic After Sales Intelligence GmbH's Managing Director, Zoran Nikolic. Under 'Navigating the Future: Latest Facts, Trends and Developments in the European Aftermarket', he provided extremely useful insights from this particularly challenging market environment. Zoran took our audience through the #AutomotiveAftermarket structure in Europe with its over a dozen actors and then through the main trends it has undergone since 1980, including the apparition of NTGs and ITGs, workshops concepts and chains, national and regional acquisitions, the introduction of the E-commerce, or the E-mobility. Later, we saw a detailed analysis of the six International Trade Groups operating in Europe and the constantly increasing development of parts distribution until today. In parallel, Zoran showcased the European scene of distribution mergers and regional market dynamics, the role of online aftermarket platforms through #Ecommerce, and the activities carried on by vehicle manufacturers in the Aftermarket. Thanks a lot for the insightful data, Zoran! #DrivingMobility #IAM #RightToRepair

At last week's FIGIEFA Conference, eccenca's Chris Brockmann delivered an enlightening keynote on ‘The Usage of Artificial Intelligence in the Automotive Parts Distribution.’ His presentation highlighted the transformative potential of #AI technology in our sector, particularly through the concept of ‘Ambient AI.’   Drawing inspiration from the historical mentorship between Alexander the Great and Aristotle, Hans-Christian emphasized how AI could revolutionise the way knowledge workers in the #IndependentAftermarket operate. He discussed how AI can help address current staffing challenges and improve decision-making.   Key insights included: 🔵 Hybrid AI Approach: Hans introduced three domains of AI-Deep Learning for quantitative analysis, Symbolic AI for contextual knowledge, and GPT Models for conversational interaction. He argued that a hybrid approach combining these domains could drive disruptive changes in our work processes. 🟢 The Eccenca Companion: He showcased a prototype solution designed for a tyre distribution company in India, aimed at helping product managers stay aligned with market trends, pricing, and margins. 🔵 Future Prospects: Looking ahead, Hans-Christian predicted that ambient AI will streamline end-to-end business processes, enhancing efficiency and productivity. Studies have shown that organisations utilizing AI companions have seen productivity increases of over 30%. 🟢 Data Collaboration: For successful multi-agent collaboration, seamless data understanding and standardised semantics will be essential, paving the way for a more integrated and efficient workflow.   As we embrace these innovations, it’s clear that AI will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the #AutomotiveAftermarket. Let’s continue the conversation on leveraging AI to unlock new value and drive our industry forward!   #DrivingMobility #Innovation #DigitalTransformation #RightToRepair

It was so much fun having the opportunity of interviewing some of our FIGIEFA Conference sponsors on Wednesday evening. I want to personally thank them all for making this fantastic event possible, and for their longstanding support to FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors' work and to the entire IAM. #DrivingMobility #RightToRepair Autodistribution International (ADI) ATR International AG global one automotive GmbH GROUPAUTO International TEMOT International Autoparts GmbH Alliance Automotive Group LKQ Europe PHE - PARTS HOLDING EUROPE WM SE bilstein group InterCars Deutschland GmbH MEKO NEXUS Automotive International SA Swiss Automotive Group CZ MLex MotoFocus

Yesterday morning, EU Digital & Tech Deputy Director-General Renate Nikolay delivered the first keynote speech of the FIGIEFA Conference 2024. We sincerely thank her for bringing the European Commission's view and its efforts as the 'Mover and Shaker of Europe’s Digital Transformation'. In her speech, she recognised that the European #AutomotiveIndustry is at a critical juncture and at a time of significant change. She acknowledged the ongoing geopolitical challenges and the transition to a new European Commission, highlighting that while change can be daunting, it also presents valuable opportunities, especially in the context of digital transformation. Nikolay pointed out that the automotive sector is experiencing unfair competition from outside Europe, along with rising energy prices and labour shortages. However, she also noted the positive growth potential within the Independent #AutomotiveAftermarket, projecting its worth to exceed €160 billion by 2035 in select European countries. A central theme of her address was the importance of #DataAccess for fostering #innovation and #competitiveness. She argued that the upcoming #DataAct will be crucial for creating a genuine market for data, which she described as a "goldmine" of untapped resources. Nikolay also asserted that the successful implementation of this Act will allow independent service providers to enhance their offerings and compete fairly with manufacturers. In discussing the regulatory landscape, she reaffirmed the need for a competitive environment where independent operators are not hindered by restrictive data access or market barriers. Nikolay stressed that the European Commission must ensure that competition rules remain relevant, especially as the market evolves with new technologies. Lastly, she emphasized the necessity for collaborative efforts among stakeholders, including the Commission, businesses, and citizens, to fully embrace the #DigitalTransformation. By pooling resources and focusing on practical solutions, Europe can reclaim its leadership position in the digital era, ensuring that the automotive sector remains a dynamic force for innovation and sustainable growth. #DrivingMobility #RightToRepair

🔍 Une étude de Roland Berger, réalisée en collaboration avec la FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors, met en lumière le rôle crucial joué par la filière IAM dans l’entretien et la réparation des véhicules en Europe. L’enquête revient notamment sur les défis auxquels font face les acteurs de la rechange indépendante, de l’électrification du parc à l’optimisation des coûts.

Nuno Carvalho, Business Development Director of Grup Eina Portugal, is participating in FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors Convention in Brussels. Nuno Carvalho is explaining the difficulties faced by multi-brand workshops in obtaining technical data and how Grup Eina helps them overcome these challenges with our remote services. We are also discussing the impact of cybersecurity and parts coding, as well as the effects of software updates in the market. Thanks for inviting us! #remoteservices #passthru #diagnostics #technicaldatabases #automotiveindustry #automotiveaftermarket #aftermarket #mobility #competitiveness

Our General Secretary Thomas Aukamm contributed at the FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors Conference in Brussels with his great know-how and experience from the aftermarket. It is not new, that car manufacturers are not very willing to share, that new components in the automotive industry make it difficult to repair, EVs present a new challenge due to high costs, and especially the Chinese manufacturers, not willing to adapt to the EU-legislation 2018/858.

Today, our colleagues Daniel Rohrhirsch and Maximilian Wegner presented our new European Independent Automotive Aftermarket (IAM) Panorama study at the FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors Conference 2024, #DrivingMobility. 🚗 Our study, conducted in cooperation with #FIGIEFA, reveals a number of key trends in the market and shows that the #IAM not only keeps the EU's 280 million vehicles on the road, but also benefits Europe beyond. It also sheds light on how the role of the IAM may change in the future. Curious to learn more? Download our study: ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eGcpC6yh #RolandBerger #AutomotiveAftermarket

'Europe competitiveness cannot start without competition'... Good start of the day #DrivingMobility where the #automotiveaftermarket is reunited this morning in Brussels. FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors