Aftercare for cars – what the IAM is faced with due to rise in EVs
Author: Stefan Bachmann, Head of Product Team Steering & Suspension at MEYLE AG
When it comes to electric vehicles, it is not only car manufacturers who are faced with various challenges. It is also the Independent Automotive Aftermarket (IAM) that is affected by the ever-increasing number of EVs and hybrids on the roads of every country in the world. Why, you may ask, since most of them are still under warranty?
The answer is simple: setting up a re-engineering process is a major task, because it requires knowledge as well as financial and human resources, especially when it comes to high-quality parts. And these are definitely needed for EVs and hybrids, as they bring with them a whole new set of requirements and challenges in terms of materials and skills.
One of the biggest challenges is that some car manufacturers often don’t develop any new products at all, but simply put what they have for combustion engines into their EVs and hybrids. Not a bad idea in theory, but in practice, we see that this way of thinking can lead to certain difficulties – not taking into account the heavier weight of EVs and the corresponding need for materials with a higher tensile strength and the shorter period of time in which they are needed being two of them.
The decreasing number of road tests and the increasing number of lab-only quality and durability tests for materials and components also pose another challenge in this respect. Not only for the IAM, but also car owners, as parts need to be replaced more frequently, which is particularly costly in high-wage countries.
This brings us to the next challenge that many industry players will face. How can we ensure that the parts we have carefully developed and manufactured are handled in the right way? In a situation where the face of mobility is rapidly changing and new skills are a must, sharing knowledge has to be a priority, as mechanics will not install these parts – and can’t install them – unless they have worked on high-voltage vehicles before.
The difficulty here is greater than with other developments in the past, as working on an electric vehicle requires not only special training, but also special workshop tools and equipment. Only time will tell how well the industry adapts, but one thing is certain: a holistic view of spare parts is essential. The focus is on quality, not just in terms of raw materials, the manufacturing process and quality control. Only by sharing knowledge about the different nature of products and how to handle them can we ensure sustainable, qualitative growth and utilisation in the future.