September 3rd, 2010
MeriCAR.com, a first-in-India focused web portal on car servicing and repair, promoter Mr. Rakesh Sidana has made it to the first cut-off of The Power of Ideas 2010. MeriCAR.com is creating awareness about car servicing and promoting muti brand concept in India. The venture is helping car owners to search for the neighborhood car workshops using web and mobile technology.
The Power of Ideas, is India’s largest entrepreneurial platform that encourages, nurtures and grooms business ideas by connecting them with relevant mentors, incubators and investors. The Power of Ideas 2010 is an initiative by The Economic Times in association with the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and the IIM Ahmedabad’s Centre for Innovation Incubation and Entrepreneurship (CIIE).
As per the news, The Economic Times (3 Sep, 2010, 01.26AM IST,ET Bureau) the 850 ideas, which made it to the first cut-off of The Power of Ideas 2010, will now progress to the second phase of the initiative. After sifting through a record 16,242 business ideas, evaluating panel has arrived at a mix of pure dreamers as well as budding start-up entrepreneurs.
“The Power of Ideas 2010 would be a great help for my team to take this idea to next level by evaluating and mentoring process. India needs focused platform like MeriCAR.com to organize car servicing business. Apart from investors, we are also looking for strategic partners to join our team who believe in our idea and concept.” says Rakesh Sidana, founder, CEO, MeriCAR.com
The Economic Times Source:http://www.ideas.economictimes.com/cut-off1
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Corporate-Trends/articleshow/6482544.cms
Notes to Editor
MeriCAR.com is first in India, dedicated car servicing web portal with a network of neighbourhood car workshops. MeriCAR is creating awarness about car servicing and helping car owners to connect them to the right car workshops, auto repair service centres and giving independent and unbiased advice based on user ratings, reviews and feedbacks. MeriCAR has 73 Premium Car Workshop members in New Delhi and NCR (Faridabad, Noida, Gurgaon, Ghaziabad). MeriCAR has search web directory of 500 verified car workshops all over India. More detail, please visit
http://www.mericar.com and http://search.mericar.com
Tags: business ideas, car repair, incubators, investors, mentors, mericar.com, multbrand, the economic times, the power of ideas
Posted in mericar press | No Comments »
August 31st, 2010
At first car service of your new car, you do not doubt on car service station (OEM dealer) for any malpractice until things go wrong just after that. You may start doubting on mechanic when you need to get service or repair done at nearest auto shop. There are few tips to avoid mechanics who hide things about your car.
Few complaints that customer who do not know about cars (especially women) and their mechanics take advantage of that. A user on Shine Yahoo said when she go along with husband the car is in perfect condition, but when she is alone there’s always one or two serious things wrong with it.
Recently Shine published an article “13 Things Your Car Mechanic Won’t Tell You”. Few points are interesting and applicable to mechanics here in India too. Here is a new list of things (#5, 6, 7, 8,9 are from shine.yahoo).
1. Mechanics tells you that you car servicing will take 2 -3 days. He may be outsourcing his work or he does not have mechanic, routine car servicing does not take much time.
2. All recommendations may not be true, check with other dealer.
3. He has found broken fuel injector in your car; chances are he may have broken it himself.
4. Mechanic who does not explain you possibilities of car problem and is giving you impression that car has serious problem, avoid him.
5. It’s nuts to take a car with engine problems to a shop without a good engine analyzer and scan tool. Any mechanic who says ‘I don’t need fancy equipment’ should be avoided.
6. Synthetic motor oils may cost more, but you’ll get a lot more miles between changes.
7. When you go for a second opinion, don’t tell the mechanic what the first diagnosis and price were.
In India, some customers (especially emotional one) allow second mechanic to talk about mistake of first one. It is old formula to impress customer to give impression that you are in safe hand.
8. Coolant flushes and power steering flushes are very common gimmicks at quick lubes. Check your owner’s manual; many cars have fluid that is designed to go 100,000 miles. And cleaning fuel injectors is a waste of time and money. There are additives on the market that do a great job.
9. Always ask for OE [original equipment] brake pads or at least equivalent material.
Read more: Shine.Yahoo
Tags: brake pads, car mechanics, car repair, car service station, car servicing, coolant, engine analyzer, engine problem, fuel injector, original equipment, synthetic motor oils
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
August 29th, 2010
According to recent survey with 62 garages by UK company “which?” 87 per cent of the garages missed or ignored at least one potentially dangerous fault while 39% charged for a product that wasn’t supplied. As part of its survey, investigators made four deliberate, easily-fixed faults a competent mechanic should spot such as a deflated spare tyre, low brake fluid or a blown bulb. The survey was conducted with garages affiliated to the Bosch Car Service scheme, Motor Codes scheme Good Garage Scheme in UK.
Everybody commented on survey that every garage at some point in a year must be thoroughly tested for quality of work, relevance of work and pricing, but some do not believe all those deliberate faults are serious. The only fault that actually affects the drivability is the low tyre pressure.
All affiliated car workshops carry out audits on all members annually and they must have regular audits.
Mechanics (D Bowall) who worked with some good workshops in UK commented on the report and listed possible reasons for problem with garages in common.
1/ many mechanics don’t have the education or the investment put into training to work on modern cars. The trade has always been a place to put school leavers who under achieved this was ok 20 years ago but not now.
2/ the person ripping you off is most likely to be the nice man who takes your keys than the oily mechanic you’d rather avoid. I’ve met more honest mechanics than I have receptionists.
3/ bonus schemes, they cause staff to rush as does pressure from above, It also stops co-operation between staff to fix faults.
4/ Explain a complex fault to most owners and they’ll stare at you like a dog that’s just been shown a card trick.
Above reasons applicable to all car workshops all over the world as these are common problem everywhere.
In India, servicing industry is un organized and many road side workshops. Corporate like Bosch Car Service, Mahindra First Choice Services are opening franchised based car workshops in India. With advancement of car technologies, there is a need to develop education system or manufacture supported program to train mechanics.
Source: news.sky.com
DailyMail.co.uk
Tags: a blown bulb, bosch car service, car fault, car mechanics, car repair, car technologies, car workshops, garages, low brake fluid, Mahindra First Choice Services, mechanics, tyre pressure
Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »
August 19th, 2010
The car manufacturers sell and service cars through franchised dealers. The car dealers have large infrastructure and they charge heavily. It increases cost of car maintenance. Car owners have no choice during warranty period. Usually car owners prefer get their service done by independent auto repair shop, garage to reduce car maintenance expenses. That is possible once car warranty gets expired.
With advancement of car technologies and complexity of new car systems, there is insufficient information available to independent repair shops. In USA, some car manufactures claim to provide technical information and car manuals with some cost, but still there is a demand of The Right to Repair Act.
Right to Repair Legislation Introduced to US Senate which says:
“The act would require car manufacturers to provide diagnostic and repair information, plus other data, to independent auto repair facilities.
“Consumers should have choices about where to take their cars for repair or maintenance,” says Boxer.
“This legislation is beneficial for smaller, independent auto repair shops that are currently unable to access some information about the cars when that data is held exclusively at the (automobile) dealership”
The need for Right to Repair legislation has become a necessity in order to protect the rights of car owners to decide where and how they have their vehicles serviced, whether at a new car dealer or an independent service facility. Right to Repair ensures that the person who bought the car and not the car company, can decide where that vehicle is repaired and maintained.
The act has not been passed fully in USA yet, but you can see trends globally. You can guess growth of independent auto repair shops in the near future globally.
In India, we can not imagine similar kind of act soon, as car servicing industry is still unorganized and there is no common association which can raise similar demands, but YES, yes…. scenario is changing.
Presently car mechanics change their job frequently, they join independent auto car workshops (or open their own) with a greater role of responsibility and use their experience. Upgrading car mechanics skills is not easy but Indian believed to be smart enough to understand technology (that is not easy though). India needs associations which can train them and raise similar demands of Right to Repair as in another countries. I am looking forward India grow faster >>>>
Source:
RightToRepair.Org
About.com
Tags: after sales car market, car dealers, car mechanics, car owners, car repair, car servicing industry, garage, right to repair
Posted in car manufacturer, car repair, car servicing trends | 2 Comments »
August 14th, 2010
I met somebody at AutoExpo 2010, he made comments while talking about car servicing trends in India. He said “next 10 years dog may know how to maintain cars”. I try to understand what he was saying that India still need lots of awareness about do-it-yourself car maintenance and knowledge will grow at level that car mechanics would not be able to make them fool and everybody would know basics. I am talking about basics services which you can perform at your home garage.
Do-It-Yourself (DIY) exists in all other countries but people do not know how to open bonnet in India. Calling emergency helpline for basic things which were not checked and on-road assistance company charges heavily to tow vehicles. Driving habits are still to improve.
Recession has taught many in the world. Last year according to survey, majority of car owners missed their car servicing to avoid heavy charges in UK. Do-It-yourself is good for knowing if your car need major checkup and save you from heavy expenses occurred while things go road on the way.
Here is a list of the most common Do-it-yourself (DIY) tasks which you can do with little practice. It will save a big chunk of money.
1. Changing Oil
2. Change Air Filter
3. Replacing Fuel Filter
4. Replacing Spark Plugs
5. Change Battery
6. Replacing Your Disc Brake Pads
7. Replacing Your Drum Brakes
8. Replacing Your Ignition Coils
9. Jump-Start a Car
10. Replace Your Electric Fuel Pump
In your leisure time read manual which comes along with your new car, that would great help for your to understand few basics. It is not only save money but also increase your car value when you want to sell it. Happy DIY!
Tags: car breakdown, car care services, car manual, car mechanics, car repair, car service, car servicing, DIY car servicing, do-it-yourself
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »
July 31st, 2010
Car repair business has been changing when car technology is becoming high-tech. Car manufacturer supports OEM dealers and train mechanics with disclosure of all car repair information. Independent repair centre and mechanics are not trained enough to get sophisticated car repair without diagnostic tools for vehicles like Honda, Toyota and premium cars.
It has been believed by some (in USA) that car manufacturers are just trying to protect dealerships as they make more of their money from follow-up service than they do selling cars.
In USA, small car service centre invest in costly equipment and training for repair staff. They want to purchase the same equipment that the dealers purchase. The State House could pass a bill that would force car manufacturers to share sophisticated repair information with independent mechanics, not just their dealerships. That would make Massachusetts first in the nation with the so-called Right to Repair Act.
In Europe, officials rules covering the car sector could make it easier for consumers to use independent repair facilities rather than authorised service station garages.
In India, most of the small car repair shops rely on mechanics who have worked with OEM dealer earlier or they are self-trained and have no formal training. Scarcity of knowledgeable car mechanics makes difficult for small business to sustain and many workshops are out of business.
All over the world, majority of car owners interested to get their car servicing to neighborhood workshops or mechanics rather going to OEM dealers. It is truly said “I simply want my local mechanic to be able to fix my car or it is not a suitable car for me”
Source:WBUR.org
Tags: after sales car market, aftermarket, car dealers, car manufacturer, car repair, car service centre, car sevicing, car technologies, Honda, mechanics, Toyota
Posted in car servicing trends | 8 Comments »
July 18th, 2010
Complex car technologies and design models, sourcing of cheap spares to reduce cars prices and possible improper quality check leads to faulty spares in the new car. Almost all top car manufacturers had experienced a total recall.
Total recall is voluntarily asking all car owners to return items for an immediate refund or exchange it for new and pull the stock off the shelves with display of product information publicly.
Recently Toyota car manufacturer recalls 5.2 million for car problem with acceleration and faulty spring in accelerator for models Toyota Camry, Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Tundra and Lexus brands. (Source: TheWeeklyDriver)
General Motors Co. is recalling about 1.5 million vehicles worldwide, including several Cadillac and Chevrolet models, to address for the second time two years an overheating windshield wiper fluid system that could lead to a fire. The recall affects several pickup trucks, sport utility vehicles, crossovers and passenger car models from model years 2006-2009. General Motors had a similar recall in 2008, but new issues arose in fixed vehicles.
The other top car manufacturer sold faulty cars in the past and experienced total recalls are Ford, Honda, Volkswagen.
Recession is at recovery state but it hits automotive industry and component manufacturers might have difficulty maintaining quality.
What should you do if your new car has a problem?
Since total recall is every manufacturer’s worst nightmare – the product that the company has spent millions developing, producing, marketing and shipping all around the world may have a fault. (Source: worldfinance) so they avoid total recall unless there are many disputes arise.
Preferably they would try to avoid giving you “replacement” or “refund”, but it is customers right under Sales acts that customer can demand full car “replacement” from car manufacturer. There are many cases when car manufacturer has no recall but few vehicles have faulty parts. There are few suggestions if things go wrong with you.
1. Take the car back to the dealer and tell him about the problem.
2. Probably car dealer will offer you replacement of parts under warranty, but you can even reject it and hand over the keys and give your reasons in writing, requesting a refund.
3. Since mostly cars are under finance, so you have to give Finance Company your rejection reasons, and then let them deal with it on you behalf. If the dealer refuses your rejection of the car, you’ll have to speak to the manufacturer; they may be able to negotiate a solution.
Tags: automotive industry, car manufacturer, car problem, component manufacturers, faulty car, Ford, General Motors, Honda, replacement of parts, sport utility vehicles, total recall, Toyota, Volkswagen
Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments »
July 3rd, 2010
In India, the number of old premium cars completing their warranty periods is much more than new ones (ET). Mercedes enters pre-owned car business in India (ET). Car owners use OEM dealers only because of servicing high-end luxury cars need special training and genuine spare parts are not easily available in India. Multibrand workshops which caters to premium cars servicing are just few, one of them is European Motor Works It has great setup with international facility. Over 25 years of technical experience & dedication to customer satisfaction with Mercedes-Benz, they are located at Gurgaon and provides luxury car servicing in New Delhi and NCR. Recently Carnation has started offering similar service and tie-up with Italian firm’s for luxury car auto parts.
According to news there are 25000 units annually and 25% in New Delhi and NCR.
Servicing premium and luxury cars, BMW, Mercedes, Audi need specific trained staff and with international standard facilities and availability of genuine spare parts.
To be successful for this offering, multibrand workshop needs to arrange spare parts and importing from other countries.
Tags: audi, bmw, car servicing, car workshops, luxury cars, mercedes, multibrand, premium cars
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »
June 20th, 2010
The car servicing market is unorganized in India. The car servicing market includes authorized service centers of vehicle manufacturers, some organized service centers, and roadside mechanics.
OEM dealers, Authorised service centers ASC (set up by vehicle manufacturers) are popular for providing good infrastructure like customer waiting rooms, clean workshops areas, trained mechanics, proper tools and equipment needed to perform repairs, genuine parts and transparent billing.
On the other side, roadside mechanic use spare parts openly available in the aftermarket that was cheaper compared to genuine spare parts. Mostly spare parts manufacturers that supply to car manufacturers sold the same spare parts in the open aftermarket. It has created competition.
Authorized service station charge heavily because of their infrastructure and labour cost and road side workshops charge less. Customer search for other cheapest workshops when their car warranty gets expired.
Many corporate like Bosch, Mahindra, TVS, Castrol, Mobil1 are opening their authorized service stations in India. Bosch has over 260 Bosch Car Service, Mahindra First Choice Services has 7 multibrand car workshops. Carnation has setup 12 hubs all over India in major cities.
There is transformation from OEM dealers, ASC and road side mechanics to organized authorized service centers. The factors that are driving this transformation are increasing car population, dominance of the unorganized segment and the ever-increasing gap between customer expectation and fulfillment.
Source: Frost.com
Tags: after sales car market, aftermarket, authorized service center, car servicing, mechanics, multibrand, oem dealers, unorganized market
Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »
May 30th, 2010
According to news, European Union officials rules covering the car sector could make it easier for consumers to use independent repair facilities rather than authorised service station garages (Source: FTP.com)
In Europe, this rule benefits more to customers having more choices for car servicing while they can get spare parts easily available at independent repair center. It would enforce more competition and reduce maintenance costs. During few years, repair costs are increasing because of many factors.
In India, OEM service dealers are authorized to do servicing during warranty period and car owner has no choice other than car maker authorized car dealer. There are many un authorized road side car workshops, they cater to 60% of car owners after warranty expired. Spare parts are not easily available and multibrand workshops have major problem sourcing it, as OEM supports authorized service stations. Similar rules in India can benefit car owners when they have more choices.
Source: FT.com
Tags: authorised service station, car sector, car servicing, Carmakers, European Union, maintenance costs, multibrand workshops, OEM, repair center, repair costs, spare parts, warranties
Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments »