The results of the outgoing year were summed up on 1st of December in Moscow at an offline event within the framework of Nexus Automotive Russia.
The leading manufacturers such as Carville, Valeo, Jikiu, CWORKS, ITAKO Group answered questions about the results of 2022 and the development prospects of the Russian auto parts market. The Nexus group represented the following brands: Sampiyon, Stal, Yokki, Zommer, Vetler, Just Drive, Kormax, Wolf, TCL, IBERIS, LARIOMI, MOYOLA.
The Chairman of the Board of the Union of Car Services, Mr. Alexander Mikhailovich Pakhomov, made a presentation on protecting the interests of car services. The special guest at this conference was Mr. Navod Verma, Deputy Head of the Department of Economics and Commerce of the Embassy of India.
Invited speakers received special attention, including Mr. Vitaly Kravets, CEO of GiPA Russia, and Ms. Olga Solovieva, Amtel Supplier Relations Director.
We publish answers to the most pressing questions in this press release. For example, Mr. Andrey Romantsov, marketing director of Luzar, was able to answer the question about the warranty period for auto parts: “In most cases, the warranty can be increased, but the current conditions, usually one or two years, completely satisfy the market. Market participants often ask for simplification of procedures for the use of guarantees. The brands should focus on that.”
The most exciting question concerned the staff: “Firstly, we need to grow personnel ourselves, rely on both experienced and young people: make experienced mentors, “sculpt” young people to be literate and thinking, loyal, customer-oriented. Secondly, invest in creating promising jobs, the image of the company, making work more attractive, so that every specialist in the city would dream of working in your company. This includes work culture, cleanliness, equipment, opportunities to learn and grow, and, in fact, the team itself” – Mr. Pavel Klyukin, Head of the SMART Center.
To the question, “Will private labels be able to replace departed brands?” Mr. Aleksey Mashkovtsev, CWORKS Sales Director, answered: “Due to the dynamics of the rise in the cost of raw materials and the increase in supply chains, we promptly deliver our products, managed the uninterrupted, regular receipts of goods that the entire market faced this year and, at the same time, keep market prices in the middle segment. So yes, to answer the question, private labels can replace those that have left.”
Mr. Sergey Petrov, Technical expert of Kroner and B-Ring brands, spoke about the introduction of new customer services and improved customer service: “In a highly competitive auto parts market, a loyal claims handling policy, long-term warranty and high product quality are the minimum conditions for long-term mutually beneficial cooperation. In addition, we go further and offer high-quality technical training, a workshop certification program to be closer to our customers and receive timely feedback from a rapidly changing market.”
The guests of the event, including representatives of car services, large fleets and retail parts stores appreciated the level of organization of the event, as well as the desire of brand representatives to discuss the important issues and look for solutions.
The event was organized with the assistance of auto parts distributors: Avtoban, Avtosputnik, Amtel, IXORA, Kama AUTO, TISS, NizhBel, Uniqom. In general, about 200 people took part in the conference.