Mecho Autotech, a Nigerian platform offering global automotive spare parts and vehicle repair and maintenance services, is gearing up to unveil version 2.0 of its vehicle management app in the third quarter of this year. The upgraded app will connect vehicle owners with qualified and vetted mechanics, providing a seamless experience.

In addition to the app launch, Mecho Autotech will introduce Mecho Mart, a marketplace catering to wholesalers and enterprise fleet owners seeking high-quality aftermarket spare parts and original OEM spare parts. This move reflects Mecho's commitment to enhancing Nigeria's fragmented and informal automotive aftersales market, estimated to be worth $6 billion, plagued by substandard spare parts and frequent stockouts.

One of the notable new features is the option for customers to access financing for vehicle repairs and maintenance, helping them preserve their cash flow. Through a simple verification process, eligible customers can receive overdrafts of up to 10 million naira, conveniently deposited in their Mecho app wallet.

Customers will also enjoy flexible servicing options. They can choose to drop off their vehicles at any of Mecho's 100 partner workshops in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt or arrange for convenient pick-up services.

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The enhanced version 2.0 of the Mecho app will provide customers with comprehensive tracking of expenses, maintenance requests, and vehicle history, ensuring transparency and ease of management.

Corporate fleet owners will benefit from the ability to manage multiple mechanics, including Mecho and other third-party service providers, through a single user-friendly app, streamlining the maintenance and repair process.

“When we launched in the market two years ago, we focused on providing high quality vehicle maintenance services. But over time we learned that we had to prioritize fixing the broken automotive spare parts supply chain — a more urgent problem in the industry and a bigger driver of its value. Spare parts represents $6BN out of Nigeria’s $8BN vehicle aftersales market. Since we pivoted our business, we have serviced more than 50 corporate fleet owners and spare parts wholesalers and provided spare parts from 5 global automotive manufacturers. By improving the availability of high quality spare parts, we believe that we can play a role in improving Nigerians’ vehicle longevity and road safety,

said Olusegun Owoade Mecho Autotech CEO/co-founder.

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Furthermore, Mecho plans to introduce IoT integration, enabling corporate fleet owners to track their vehicles effectively. The 2.0 vehicle management app will be available for free to users.

Alongside these developments, Mecho will launch Mecho Mart, an innovative marketplace for wholesalers and enterprise fleet owners to purchase high-quality aftermarket and original OEM spare parts. The platform will offer a wide range of genuine auto parts, including tires, shock absorbers, brake pads, lubricants, and filters. Spare parts wholesalers can leverage the marketplace to access top-quality inventory, secure financing, and avoid costly stockouts, thereby increasing their profitability.

Supported by a substantial investment from Global Brains, a Japanese venture capital firm, Mecho Autotech aims to establish partnerships with global automotive aftermarket spare parts manufacturers. This strategic collaboration will ensure a reliable supply chain of genuine and affordable spare parts, addressing the current challenges in Nigeria's fragmented and informal automotive aftersales industry.

With more than 12 million registered vehicles in Nigeria, over 90% of which are imported used vehicles, the demand for efficient aftersales services is substantial. The automotive aftersales and maintenance market, valued at an estimated $8 billion, presents significant growth potential. The average Nigerian vehicle owner spends $50-60 annually on repairs and maintenance, with 80% of these expenses allocated to spare parts.

To explore a demonstration of the version 2.0 vehicle management app, visit here. Spare parts wholesalers can also join the Mecho Autotech Mart waitlist by signing up here.