Renault Acquires Digital Vehicle Maintenance Startup Fixter

Renault has acquired Fixter, a UK-based startup that connects retail and professional drivers and fleets to local garages for vehicle maintenance.

Renault says that the acquisition is part of the digitalisation of its after-sales business unit, which it says is “transforming itself to remain best in class in the market.”

Fixter, founded in London five years ago by Limvirak Chea, Frédéric Dermer and Cristian Vrabie, works for vehicles across all brands and has “become the benchmark in the UK.”

Renault says that Fixter will benefit from the support of the multi-brand network of “Motrio” garages, of which there are 2,500 in Europe, as well as the expertise and digital services of Renault Group and its Mobilize Financial Services subsidiary.

Drivers using Fixter can make appointments, prepare quotes for repairs, organise vehicle collection from their homes, as well as having invoicing, after-sales servicing, and repair guarantees taken care of. 

“Developing our activity in the independent aftermarket is a strategic axis within the Renault Group’s aftermarket. We are continuing to develop our multi-brand IAM offer and are thoroughly modernizing our after-sales value chain in order to meet our customers’ expectations better. By acquiring the Fixter start-up, we will be able to combine the expertise and strength of the Group and its network with Fixter’s agility and knowledge of all the digital aspects of automotive maintenance. We will thus be able to offer services of the highest quality and accelerate the digitalization of our activities,” said Hakan Dogu, SVP Global After-Sales, Renault Group.

Fixter also ensures that its partner garages adhere to strict technical standards and are vetted. In return, this gives drivers fair, transparent prices thanks to the “attractive” rates that Fixter negotiates with its partners. 

“We are delighted to have found in Renault an industry partner who shares both our vision and our ambition to reinvent vehicle maintenance for the future – simple, transparent and hassle-free. The expertise and resources of a major group like Renault, combined with Fixter’s agility and start-up mindset, will help us to go even further and faster in this revolution,” said Limvirak Chea, CEO & Co-Founder of Fixter.