CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Dec. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Openbay
announced it has partnered with eBay Motors to provide the
availability of millions of searchable automotive parts and
accessories for its online marketplace for auto repair and service.
Powered by eBay Motors, businesses can research, source and acquire
automotive parts directly through the Openbay dashboard. This
selection features a wide spectrum of value including genuine OEM
automotive parts, white label parts, national brand aftermarket
parts, remanufactured and used parts, as well as hard-to-find parts
that are no longer manufactured.
"By collaborating with Openbay, we are making it extremely easy
for automotive repair businesses to get their hands on the parts
they need, when they need them," said Jordan Hettinga, Director of Category Management
at eBay Motors. "With millions of items available on eBay –
everything from OEM to hard-to-find parts, we're arming the Openbay
community with the access to this inventory. With our wide spectrum
of value, we're hoping to save customers time, money, all while
improving their profitability."
The Openbay marketplace - with participation from its automotive
care business network - aims to exceed the modern consumer's
expectations when servicing their vehicle. The majority of Openbay
registered users operate out-of-warranty vehicles or vehicles that
are beyond the 11+ average age vehicle on U.S. roads. Presenting
users with a convenient and frictionless way to book and pay for
automotive service and with automotive care providers having access
to a wide range of parts for every car and light truck all play a
key role in gaining customer trust and loyalty.
"There are several large trends impacting the automotive
aftermarket industry and companies that serve the automotive parts
supply chain," said Rob Infantino,
founder and CEO of Openbay. "The largest population in U.S. history
is now of driving age [Millennials] and buying older vehicles as
their first car. Acquisition of online services is at an all-time
high. More than 60 million vehicles older than 16-years in age are
in operation on U.S. roads that will require more repair and
service when compared to later model vehicles. These trends
translate to a large and growing opportunity to service a unique
customer segment. Openbay and eBay Motors are helping improve the
customer experience when getting a vehicle serviced and helping
increase efficiency and profitability for automotive care
businesses."
Sourcing parts for older vehicles or for customers with unique
needs and improving parts profitability are constant challenges for
automotive care businesses. To alleviate these concerns, Openbay
has leveraged eBay's APIs to streamline the end-to-end customer
service experience and to drive efficiency and profitability for
automotive care businesses.
Benefits for Automotive Care Businesses
Additional
benefits for automotive care businesses accessing eBay Motors via
Openbay:
- Access to genuine OEM automotive parts from franchises across
the U.S., branded aftermarket products, new white label parts,
remanufactured and used parts.
- Opportunity to stock up on parts used most frequently in bulk.
Examples include engine and cabin air filters, oil filters, light
bulbs, wiper blades, fuses, fluids, shop supplies.
- Access to hard-to-find parts, obsolete or no longer available
parts.
- Unique accessories outside of a repair that might be requested
by the customer.
Automotive Care Businesses Willing to Consider Alternate
Suppliers of Auto Parts
More than 180 independent
automotive care businesses participated in a recent survey
conducted by Openbay. The survey revealed a willingness on behalf
of the business to change parts suppliers in order to increase
profitability through competitive parts pricing and to improve
operational efficiency. Survey results provide valuable insight and
opportunity for Internet retailers with a broad parts catalog to
expand its sales beyond the DIY market (do-it-yourself) and into
the DIFM market (do-it-for-me) which is currently valued at more
than $380 billion dollars*.
The survey also found:
- More than 77% of respondents with service revenue exceeding
$1 million are
"moderately-to-extremely likely" to switch away from their current
auto parts supplier. The percentage of businesses willing to switch
suppliers increased to 89% for those businesses with service
revenue under $1 million.
- The survey inquired about the share of parts purchased from
major part supplier channels. Independent repair shops use national
retail distributors and warehouse specialty channels for the
majority of their parts; however, the survey found that internet
retailers made up 6.2% of parts purchases.
- This becomes especially important when looking for hard to find
parts and cost competitive parts for customers who are cost
conscious. Openbay's integration of eBay Motors inventory enables
this transition to sourcing from multiple sellers.
The complete Openbay survey analysis can be found here.
Automotive care businesses are encouraged to join Openbay:
http://www.openbay.com/apply
About eBay
eBay Inc. (NASDAQ: EBAY) is
a global commerce leader including the
Marketplace, StubHub and Classifieds platforms.
Collectively, we connect millions of buyers and sellers around the
world, empowering people and creating opportunity through Connected
Commerce. Founded in 1995 in San Jose,
Calif., eBay is one of the world's largest and most
vibrant marketplaces for discovering great value and unique
selection. In 2016, eBay enabled $83 billion of
gross merchandise volume. For more information about the company
and its global portfolio of online brands,
visit www.ebayinc.com.
About Openbay
Openbay is an online marketplace and
SaaS software company transforming the experience for automotive
repair and services for consumers, and the way that automotive care
businesses acquire and service customers. Openbay is headquartered
in Cambridge, MA, is privately
held, and its investors include Stage 1 Ventures, Boston Seed
Capital, GV (formerly Google Ventures), a16z seed, and several
individual investors. Openbay holds an A+ rating from the Better
Business Bureau.
Follow Openbay on its blog, Facebook, twitter, Instagram, or
visit Openbay.com for additional information.
* AAPEX17. Sources: Auto Care Association, AASA Channel Forecast
Model
Contact: pr@openbay.com
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SOURCE Openbay, Inc.