AutoMate, which was founded in 2014 by managing director Jonathon Sampson, provides its automotive eLeaning programs to Australian technicians and workshops but also has its products in 60 other countries.

Mr Sampson said being acquired by Solera’s subsidiary, Autodata Publishing Group, was a good fit.

Jonathan Sampson, Founder and MD

“Joining the Solera family is a logical and exciting next step on our strategic journey as a company,” he said.

“We are already in 60 markets around the world and now see even further expansion for our training programs being made available in new global markets through Solera and Autodata.

“AutoMate’s eLearning expertise, combined with Autodata’s highly advanced diagnostic and repair data, promises to deliver new and existing customers a compelling suite of products for the automotive mechanic.”

He said the acquisition of his business would lead to a ramp-up in business activity and was expected to increase the number of employees.

AutoMate was started in response to what Mr Sampson recognised as a widening gap between the pace of technological change in the automotive market and the ability for automotive technicians to stay trained and up to date on such systems.

AutoMate 3D Graphics, Automatic Transmission

He told GoAutoNews Premium that his vision for AutoMate was to develop a new way for technicians to train, using an online, video-based subscription model that would allow automotive professionals to train more easily and more efficiently.

“Over the past five years, AutoMate’s team of motion graphics specialists and professional automotive trainers have built up a library of more than 400 videos, each featuring cutting-edge 3D graphics, real trainers and the very latest vehicles,” he said.

“The library expands every week with new videos and covers everything from automotive fundamentals to cutting-edge systems and technology.”

In a statement, Autodata managing director Rod Williams said: “AutoMate’s innovative solutions and strong management team provide immediate value with Solera.

“Together we provide immense value to Solera’s 400,000-plus service, maintenance and repair users, enabling us to further capitalise on the opportunity to support both our existing users and beyond with AutoMate’s solutions.”

The AutoMate Portal, on iPhone, Tablet and PC

Autodata was started in 1972 to provide technical information to the automotive aftermarket sector. Its products are used by workshops for the repair and servicing of cars and motorcycles, as well as corporate solutions for companies requiring bespoke platforms or integration with Autodata’s technical information.

Its data is licensed directly from 142 manufacturers, covering 34,000 models worldwide and its web application has 90,000 diagrams and illustrations, covering more than 600,000 step-by-step procedures.

Its new parent company Solera has started to digitise and empower mobility transactions across the critical 54 and 250 lifecycle touchpoints of a vehicle.

It now processes more than 300 million digital transactions annually for about 235,000 partners and customers in more than 90 countries.

By Neil Dowling

The AutoMate Team at our Sydney HQ