Electric vehicles are chipping away at old workshop earnings like oil changes and routine checks. Würth Group, which sells automotive supplies in 80 countries, has laid out how repair businesses can stay profitable in this new era. The plan was shared at Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 by Linus Kress and Jakob Weiss, who manage the firm's international auto and cargo divisions.
Bringing Outsourced Jobs Back In-House
A core idea is to pull work that shops earlier sent outside back into their own bays. Smart repair and glass repair are two examples. The bigger bet, though, is on what the company calls "drive-type independent" services — jobs a vehicle needs no matter whether it burns petrol or runs on a battery. Wheel alignment, bodywork and car care sit in this bucket and should stay in demand through the powertrain shift.
Selling Efficiency, Not Just Parts
With property prices climbing worldwide, workshops want higher output from smaller floorspace. Würth says this demand has shaped its thinking for years. Instead of only selling parts and consumables, it now offers complete efficiency packages. One example is a fully automatic stone chip repair kit, which the company says cuts a slow manual job by 40%, freeing technicians for other tasks such as tyre changes.
India Stands Out
The firm called India critically important and highly innovative. It credited its teams there with spotting trends early — including piloting the region's first electric vehicle approach nearly ten years back. Würth has also built EV-specific infrastructure in the country, such as insulated tools and fire safety gear, and described India as one of the boldest and quickest markets in the region for trying new technology and business ideas.
Four Forces Reshaping the Aftermarket
Company officials see four big shifts globally: the spread of EVs, growing use of data and diagnostics with AI entering the picture, a shortage of skilled technicians in Western markets, and consolidation, where larger workshops absorb smaller family-run businesses.
As new car sales growth slows, used vehicles stay on roads longer and owners drift towards independent workshops. Würth wants to help these shops take on jobs once handled only by OEMs.
On AI, the company is deliberately cautious, preferring to watch trends alongside customers first. One exception is vehicle data and repair manual access, where it has already built dedicated systems for independent workshops.
What Comes Next
Würth plans to deepen its regional consolidation model. In Latin America, one hub already handles logistics and purchasing for 12 subsidiaries. It will also keep investing in its training academy and specialist teams in areas like digitalisation and calibration diagnostics.
One thing stays constant, the firm notes: customers still value direct, personal contact with sales staff — especially when a technician urgently needs a missing part.