Bosch buys 26% stake in India’s B2B e-commerce firm Autozilla Solutions

Robert Bosch GmbH has reportedly acquired a 26% stake in Autozilla Solutions, an Indian B2B e-commerce firm for garage equipment, auto spares, and accessories. The minority stake buyout will allow Bosch to enter the digital B2B marketplace for IAM (independent aftermarket) in the domestic market.

The German multinational engineering and technology giant will also help in streamlining auto spares procurement in India. The transaction will reinforce Bosch’s market pull through independent garages and car services outlets.

For those unaware, Autozilla specializes in developing electronic part catalogs for spare components. The Hyderabad-based company’s primary objective is to make spare parts procurement digitally enabled and hassle-free.

Autozilla uses AI and data analytics to allow for spares discovery efficiently as well as helps in establishing the pricing and availability. It connects independent garages with sellers to ensure well-timed procurement of the parts.

Apart from this, Autozilla’s platform offers digitization of the auto components supply chain by connecting parts producers, retailers, and distributors. This allows it to become a go-to marketplace for procurement, product tracking, supply, and promotion among several participants. 

For Bosch, the German company will integrate Autozilla’s platform with its digital solution to streamline spare parts ordering, improve catalog search quality, and address the availability of auto spares in a shorter lead time.

Independent garages in India have long been known to obtain spare parts through offline channels, either by issuing an order through phone or visiting the distributors in person. The entire process is non-transparent, error-prone, and inefficient, Bosch claimed.

According to Autozilla founder Vijay Gummadi, B2B accounts for the majority of USD 12 billion worth of spares purchasing in India, which is mostly driven through offline channels. The company is currently well-positioned to solve the major issues of availability, streamline transactions, and offer cost-efficient doorstep delivery.

It is also worth mentioning that the latest collaboration should help Autozilla expand its reach in the market, scale up operations pan-India, and expand its product portfolio.

Source Credits –

https://www.business-standard.com/article/markets/bosch-acquires-26-stake-in-b2b-e-commerce-firm-autozilla-solutions-122022300849_1.html