Automechanika Frankfurt 2018: An exciting look into DENSO AM’s future

Theo Rappoldt, Senior Director, DENSO Europe, speaking at the event, said: “Automechanika is the perfect platform for DENSO, since we are a global player in the automotive industry and at the same time, relatively young in the independent aftermarket. It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our latest innovations and meet with clients old and new.”


New from DENSO in 2018

Alexey Bartashevich, Senior Manager AM Products, DENSO Europe, outlined DENSO’s latest innovations on display at the show. “Every year we launch a couple of hundred new part numbers from existing and new product groups, aiming to make the total DENSO aftermarket range more attractive for our aftermarket customers.”

“We are presenting several range extensions here at Automechanika, including robust, reliable starters and alternators for heavy duty and commercial vehicles, such as trucks and tractors.”

“In order to make our customers familiar with DENSO technology, we have displayed several key OEM products for Hybrid and Electric cars. This will be the one of the future directions for our aftermarket range extensions.”

e-Videns: The future of vehicle inspection tools

DENSO AM strives to innovate for smarter, more efficient products, and one such innovation was launched at Automechanika this year: e-Videns, a user-friendly, comprehensive vehicle inspection tool.

Nico Carucci, Regional Manager AM Sales Germany, describes the benefits of the new tool: “e-Videns increases workshop ability to generate new business by scanning engine systems for error codes and performing an innovative health check, unique to DENSO, via cloud technology to identify problems and pre-empt future issues.” The tool empowers garages to offer a preventative maintenance plan for their customers which creates upsell opportunities, and clearly reports on the vehicle inspection, providing total transparency and strengthening the client-workshop relationship.

e-Videns is already available in English and Automechanika sees the launch of the Polish, German and French versions. 15 additional languages will launch in 2019.

A digital focus

Luca Govean, Director Independent Aftermarket, was clear that the road ahead is digital: “We already offer digital solutions to support and inform our customers, but today I am glad to announce that we are launching a web based portal for our direct customers in Russia and we will extend this to other regions in 2019… DENSO have been active in the aftermarket for 15 years and are continually adapting and changing to reach and communicate with our customers in the most appropriate way and so digital communication is of paramount importance for us to reach larger audiences. This year our stand reflects this with the volume of digital content and technology on display. This is also evident in our products, such as the European launch of our e-Videns tool.”


DENSO AM’s workshop welcome day

TV personality and celebrity mechanic, Edd China, and DENSO-sponsored Formula-E racing driver, Mike Conway, joined the DENSO stand for a workshop welcome day, where the focus was firmly on these key aftermarket customers.

Nico Carucci explained: “Excellent customer service is really important to us, and we are focused on building relationships with garages, finding out what matters to them and adapting our products and services to meet their needs. This is why we have a day completely dedicated to garages, where they can come and speak to our automotive celebrities Edd China and Mike Conway, enjoy free drinks and prizes and get to know the DENSO workshop training programmes as well as our aftermarket parts.”


Looking toward Automechanika 2020 and the future

Theo Rappoldt was very clear about DENSO AM’s future path: “At DENSO AM, we’re very future-facing. For example we pioneered the first electric compressor for hybrid cars, and we’re continuing to invest in R&D around hybrid and electric vehicles. We’re committed to using the latest technologies, such as the unique cloud-based health check which is part of our new vehicle inspection tool, e-Videns. We’re focused on developing parts that deliver real efficiencies and in doing so, benefit the garage, the driver and our environment.”

“In addition to product development, there are two other very important areas of focus for the future. Our customers of course, come first. We’re concentrating on delivering excellent service whilst also expanding our customer base to include all the major players in the aftermarket. We want to foster collaboration with our customers – that’s our unique Japanese/European approach.

“Establishing an even stronger infrastructure is also a priority, with decentralised operations so we’re close to all the markets we work in and can deliver outstanding local service.”

“As DENSO grows and progresses, our core value stays the same – quality first, in everything we do.”

The next Automechanika Frankfurt takes place 8-12 September 2020. The team at DENSO AM look forward to seeing you there!