The network of workshops ‘ok’ RHIAG celebrates 20 years in Italy alongside professionals who are today among the greatest automotive repair and spare parts distribution network which belongs to LKQ Europe. During an event reserved for the specialized press and some of the main IAM (Independent Aftermarket) associations, RHIAG spoke to us about the birth of the project in Italywhen mechanics were afraid of inaccessible engines, but also of the future of self-repair based on sustainability, the capillarity of a constantly expanding network and the innovation of tools and services for the benefit of automotive repairers and workshop customers. This is how it has changed and will continue to change the profession of car repairer with RHIAG.

THE OFFICINE NETWORK WAS BORN IN 2003 RHIAG “IN PLACE”

In 2003, the group presents its first project of studio membership: the multi-brand network ‘Alright’. Federica BertoldiRHIAG Communications Manager, explained that “the brand name – ‘a posto’ RHIAG, Your car as new – already contained the promise to motorists: to make a car completely and perfectly ‘in order’, ready to hit the road again and to travel in complete safety”. The Independent Aftermarket was moving towards a profound transformation linked to the technological evolution of cars and a greater presence of electronics and control units, to the point of causing what is called among insiders “beanie syndromefor fear of not being able to “put your hands” in the engine compartment. But that’s not all, also the BER law which freed motorists from the link with official networks and offered the possibility to independent repairers to carry out maintenance also for new cars under warranty. The RHIAG network “in place” has thus become a network based on proximity, security and professionalism; values ​​conveyed to workshop customers through reliable and convenient service.

MORE THAN 1900 RHIAG AFFILIATED WORKSHOPS IN ITALY

“Since then, our values ​​have not changed, but we evolved and today the brand ‘ok’ RHIAG comes with a new gain – automotive professionals – which well represents the distinctive features of the network, ready to face a new automotive revolution, driven by the macro-trends that are changing the paradigms of mobility”, said Federica Bertoldi. In recent years, the RHIAG network “in place” has been joined by two other multi-brand networks, DediCar and Officina N°1, further extending the network that today counts more than 1,900 affiliated workshops and 4,500 mechanics sizes per year with 350 days of training. In addition, RHIAG offers 100 technical courses, 20 marketing courses, over 200 e-learning titles and has 60 agreements with long and short term rental fleets and private fleets.

DISCOUNTS FOR MOTORISTS WITH VOUCHERS AND SEASONAL PROMOTIONS

“Started as a loyalty project for our direct customer, the spare parts dealer, involved from the start in identifying the structures that entered the network, the RHIAG ‘in place’ concept in 20 years has developed both in terms of technical and managerial support designed for affiliated mechatronicsand as a philosophy of service to motorists”he added Marzia CastellaniRHIAG Commercial Director. “The network strategy today is a supply chain integration project that allows us to bring value to all aftermarket operators in distribution and repairwith a focus on the end user, whether an individual or an intermediary such as fleets, insurance companies or car-sharing companies”. The “on-site” RHIAG network has in fact also become a community of thousands of motorists, who have access to a range of free car checks and workshop discounts (100,000 seasonal promotion vouchers downloaded in the last 3 years) and more than 14,000 Facebook followers.

LKQ RHIAG GARAGE OF THE FUTURE: A LOOK AT THE FUTURE

LKQ RHIAG focuses on continuous evolution of cars, offering repairers the possibility of intervening on all cars in circulation, even the most recent, with the training and assistance of specialized technicians, but also instruments geared towards the future. This is a concept further reinforced in the vision garage of the future he told us about Frederic ServajeanWorkshop Network Manager: “With the rapid transformation of the automotive sector, the package of services offered by LKQ RHIAG to its networks has experienced a decisive acceleration in order to support each workshop in its professional growth. Particular attention has always been paid to technical and managerial training, technical updates and all activities aimed at increasing traffic in the workshops. This year was launched on new technical space which includes a technical database, a missing data request service and premium technical assistancewhich is supported by the innovative remote diagnostic service LKQ Remote Support”.

SMART GLASSES AND AUGMENTED REALITY: TESTS IN PROGRESS AT THE RHIAG WORKSHOPS

RHIAG is also piloting a new Remote Support to repairers through Smart glasses and augmented reality, which we saw in action during a live demo. It is a remote assistance tool with which the repairer can receive assistance from an expert LKQ RHIAG technician in the step-by-step evaluation of more complex defects until the problem is solved. Stay tuned because we will tell you a lot more next time Report on connected and electric cars that we will present at FutureMotive 2023also thanks to the support of RHIAG, main sponsor of the third edition of the SicurAUTO.it aftermarket report.