New Bosch service network as market and autos mature

Iconic German auto tech and service company Bosch has started a franchise system for its maintenance services, offering the same top standard of quality across the country.

"Maturing Chinese car owners with aging cars are in increasing demand for alternatives in car service, and the service quality needs to be in line with the rapid advancements in automotive technology," said Johannes Schweickert, director of Bosch Car Service Franchising Concept Project.

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Bosch has 128 years of history in auto technology and more than a decade of experience in car service in China.

"Based on our holistic solution of 'parts, bytes and services', Bosch is committed to working closely with our local partners to provide professional and reliable car service that the Chinese car owners can trust," said Schweickert.

He added that Bosch developed the new franchise system to provide all-round support to its business partners, "ensuring that they offer one-stop professional, reliable service and unified quality standards to Chinese car owners across multiple car brands and models".

"The system will provide franchisees with comprehensive support in all phases from planning up to operations," said Schweickert.

Bosch will have a team of more than 100 consultants in China to support new franchisees in workshop setup, facility management, business planning and customer relations.

In operations, Bosch will further strengthen the service capability of franchisees by providing a wide array of diagnostic systems, parts and equipment sourcing solutions as well as training programs and a state-of-the-art IT system.

The franchisees will also receive unified marketing and other value-added services such as hotlines for technical issues and data information.

"Our franchisees will benefit greatly with all-round support from Bosch to provide professional and reliable car service in standardized quality to Chinese car owners," said Yuan Xuming, general manager of Bosch Automotive Technical Services (Beijing) Co Ltd.

"We aim to have 50 new franchisees by the end of 2014, and more than 1,000 franchised workshops in the coming three years," said Yuan.

"To support development of the franchise, a total of five company owned and operated Bosch Car Service centers will be distributed evenly in China, including the established operations in Beijing and Chengdu that achieved great business success in local markets."

Bosch's standardized services include engine diagnostics, brakes, suspension and wheel alignment, bodywork, painting and car detailing. The network also guarantees the use of high quality spare parts from Bosch and other trusted brands while ensuring fair price, said Yuan.

Bosch Car Service's experience spans more than nine decades, and it has some 16,500 outlets.