The largest maintenance chain in Europe-a brief history of ——Mobivia Group’s development
In the last overseas case, we introduced the German auto repair chain giant A.T.U, saying that it was acquired by the French Mobivia Group in December last year. After a small series of investigations, this French group company is really big, and it has quietly entered China. In February this year, it was exhibited in Beijing Auto Parts Exhibition. In this issue, we will take a look at this is said to be the largest aftermarket chain enterprise in Europe.
▲ Founder, Eric DeVille
Mobivia, formerly known as Norauto Auto Repair and Accessories Chain, was founded in Lille, France in 1970 by Eric De Ville. At present, it has developed into a group enterprise providing multi-brand automobile maintenance and accessories sales. It is headquartered in Melantuva, France, and has more than 10 brands. Including maintenance chain Norauto, A.T.U., Midas, Auto5, spare parts e-commerce Bythjul, electric car Altermove, etc. After the acquisition of A.T.U. in 2016, it has more than 2,000 stores (including franchise) in 17 countries around the world, and its annual revenue in maintenance and accessories is expected to reach 2.8 billion euros.
A brief history of Mobivia’s development:
▲ In 1970, Eric De Ville established the first independent auto repair and accessories center, Norauto, in Lille, France. This was an innovative concept at that time (after-sale was monopolized by the main engine factory), and Norauto provided a brand-new choice for car owners, with convenience, competitive price and multi-brand car maintenance and parts support.
▲ In 1986, Norauto introduced the first OEM engine oil (and then introduced OEM tires in 1996). In the same year, it opened its international expansion to Zhang Zhilu, and successively set up branches in Spain (1986), Italy (1991), Belgium (1992) and Portugal (1996).
▲ In 2002, Norauto acquired Auto5, the largest maintenance chain in Belgium, and in the same year launched Carter-Cash, a cheap auto parts chain (with quick repair and quick maintenance functions).
▲ In 2003, Adedis was acquired, which includes Maxauto (franchise maintenance chain) and Synchronous Diffusion (a supplier of accessories and auto repair equipment specializing in 2B business).
▲ In 2004, MIDAS was acquired from the United States to continue its global expansion. In the same year, it also acquired some shares of Fiat and Ma Ruili.
▲ In 2005, Norauto opened its 1000th store in Poland.
▲ In 2005, the Norauto Foundation was launched.
▲ In 2006, in order to improve the international popularity of its multi-brand operation and unify all companies in a single name, Norauto Group was established.
▲ In 2008, it began to strengthen its social responsibility and identified the following two major issues: launching the "sustainable development strategy" of all brands under Norauto Groupe; Develop business in accordance with the "European Road Safety Law".
▲ In 2009, Norauto introduced some innovative travel solutions to supplement its products and services. In addition, it began to provide electric two-wheeled vehicles (bicycles and scooters) and related products and services, taking an environmentally friendly route.
▲ In 2010, Norauto’s first Altermove store (two-wheeled electric vehicle store) opened in Lille, replacing the travel function of some cars, and the Group began to pay more and more attention to sustainable transportation.
▲ In 2010, Norauto Group changed its name to Mobivia Group, on the one hand, in order to make the relationship between its different brands closer, on the other hand, in order to consolidate its business growth in a wider range of fields (Norauto used to focus on automobile maintenance, Mobivia will pay more attention to new travel solutions).
▲ VIA-ID was established in 2010, a fund dedicated to the development of environmental protection travel solutions, aiming at supporting innovative enterprises in the field of environmental protection travel. (for example, Altermove and Norauto electric cars introduced earlier).
▲ In 2011, Mobivia Group launched the first "100%" spare parts e-commerce company OXYO-PNEUS to cope with the change of car owners’ consumption habits (increasingly relying on the Internet), and the service part was completed by offline cooperative merchants and car owners themselves.
▲ In 2012, Via-ID invested in eco-friendly travel startups Carbos (shared car) and LABICYCLITE Electrique (urban electric bicycle).
▲ In 2013, 10,000 employees of MOBIVIA Group cooperated in innovation activities, collected all the innovative projects that had been implemented, put forward optimization schemes, and finally nominated 12 best projects.
▲ In 2013, Mobivia Group established a brand-new management system to meet the challenge of sustainable travel solutions.
▲ In 2014, Cater-Cash, a brand of Mobivia Group, set up a branch in Spain.
▲ In 2014, Mobivia Group acquired BYTHJUL, a spare parts e-commerce, to pursue international expansion and accelerate the development of e-commerce business.
▲ In 2015, Norauto and OXYO-PNEUS merged their e-commerce business to accelerate their digital development.
▲ In 2015, Via-ID invested and shared the car brand DRIVY.
▲ In 2016, Mobivia acquired A.T.U, the largest auto repair chain in Germany, becoming the largest in Europe.
▲ In 2017, Norauto participated in the Beijing Auto Parts Exhibition and officially entered China. I wonder if he will come to China to continue buying in buy buy?
Supplementary information: Mobivia Group belongs to the French Mourier family, which also owns large supermarket chain Auchan, sports goods supermarket Decathlon, clothing supermarket Kaijiayi, cheap restaurant chain Flunch, pizza chain store Pizza pai, building materials supermarket leroy merlin, home appliance retailer Boulanger, equipment leasing company Kiloutou, convenience store chain Simply Market and other enterprises. Covering almost all aspects of the service industry, these enterprises employ more than 400,000 people and have an annual turnover of more than 70 billion euros, all of which are controlled by the family holding company CIMOVAM.
(AC car compilation)
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