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NATIONAL service and repair chain mycar has established a network of knowledge, calling on the expertise of its technicians from its 280 stores to ensure it can professionally repair vehicles from all brands.

This community of technicians is something that mycar CEO Adam Pay told GoAutoNews Premium has helped it to build a business that is challenging existing OEM-centric workshops.

He said mycar employs technicians who would each have experience in different brands or have come through an independent repair avenue.

“So we have the information flow between the technicians at each store and we have access to the data from the OEM,” he said.

“On top of that, we continue to train our team members so they have access to state-of-the-art equipment.”

Mr Pay said mycar has also honed its ability to move team members from store to store during COVID-19.

Adam Pay

“Now, when we have staff shortages, we can fill any shortfall,” he said.

“This is also the case with the training of staff in EVs. We’re not training large numbers of team members in EV just yet, but we know that as demand increases, we have this strategy.”

But he said that one of the factors for mycar’s success has also been timing, with the expansion of the business an example of having the right infrastructure in place while being in the right place at the right time.

The fortuitous timing he referred to was the introduction of the Motor Vehicle Information Scheme (MVIS) from July 1 that compels OEMs to provide all service and repair information to independent repairers at a fair market price.

“I think the timing was absolutely spot on,” said Mr Pay.

“It gives us access to the same data that the OEMs provide to the dealers and that removes a barrier.

“It’s not perfect at the moment, but the industry is working through this change and over time, this will get smoother. Eventually we’ll find a position where it’s working really well.”

mycar has also cemented its future with a move to encompass electric vehicle (EV) training in its stores.

By the end of this month, 30 stores will have technicians across Australia – trained at the rate of eight to 10 technicians a fortnight by the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence in Melbourne – experienced in fault identification, maintenance and the repair of EVs.

This dovetails neatly with mycar recently becoming the authorised national warranty and repair agent for new EV arrival BYD through a partnership with EVDirect. This is in addition to it winning AUSMV’s business for servicing and warranty for the big utes from Ram, Ford and soon, the Atlis EV ute.

The BYD deal is parallel to Eagers Automotive that offers new-car sales and service through its national showrooms.

Mr Pay said this complimentary service agreement represents a significant shift in the traditional role of an OEM and its dealer-service network.

“If you look at BYD and AUSMV, the way they are operating is very different to what has been traditionally accepted,” he said.

“For them and other brands looking to come into the Australian market, having us as the service and warranty agent throughout Australia gives them scale to come into the market because they will normally require a significant investment.

“By partnering with us with a large footprint, an OEM can support more customers through a trusted network of service and repair locations. 

“It’s a really good opportunity for us. It puts us in a unique position where we can use our bricks and mortar to help OEMs with their go-to-market and growth strategies.”

“We are looking at adding more stores,” he said.

mycar has about 280 national stores and after opening six so far this year, plans to add about another four this year and another 10 earmarked for 2023.

“Certainly we are underrepresented in some areas across the nation where we see opportunities, as well as areas where we need to increase coverage.”

By Neil Dowling

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