Garages join formulas, prices are not necessarily higher
More and more garages belong to a chain, a formula. It may be interesting for universal garage companies to commit to a large garage formula. But what do you notice as a customer when you bring your car for maintenance? No higher prices in any case.
Aumacon, knowledge agency for the mobility sector, reports in a research report that 4,178 universal car companies throughout the Netherlands have now joined a garage formula. Five years ago, in 2018, there were still 3,055. In particular, Bosch Workshop Partner (+16 percent) and Eurol Service Point (+13 percent) showed the greatest growth last year. Yet the pool is slowly becoming thinner: “There are few free garage owners left who are willing and able to commit to a garage formula,” says Clem Dickmann, market analyst at Aumacon.
More of a quality mark
The fact that garage companies join a garage formula does not mean that they sell their soul. The cozy village garage on the corner can simply remain that cozy village garage, although from now on the name of a garage formula will hang on the facade. “Prefer to see it as a quality mark,” says Gerard ten Buuren, chairman of Independent Car Companies of the Bovag. “A garage formula serves to support the company, for example in the areas of marketing, training and education, quality and image. Despite collective agreements, the entrepreneurs continue to operate completely independently.”
What does that cost now?
Participation in a formula usually requires an investment for the garage company in order to meet the standards and requirements that are set. “But that does not automatically mean that the customer will pay more,” Ten Buuren emphasizes. Aumacon market analyst Clem Dickmann agrees. “The entrepreneur can save money in many areas, for example through favorable purchasing conditions for parts and through price harmonization. It will be easier for garage companies to have staff participate in education and training courses that the umbrella organizations now offer. This saves the entrepreneur a lot of time in the search for suitable training. That also saves money.”
Fast riser
Autovakmeester is an example of a garage formula that grew considerably last year. This formula is also part of the Alliance Automotive Group Benelux and passed the 200 branch mark in 2023. Long warranty, personal service and craftsmanship are mentioned as the pillars of this formula.
– Thanks for information from Autoweek.nl