Lucky Car opens workshop of the future”

Lucky Car opens workshop of the future”

"For us, the future means investments in know-how and equipment. The evolution of vehicle technology, a new generation of customers, but also legislation are placing new demands on independent workshop operations," explains Lucky Car managing director Mitar Kos. The newest location of the company, founded in 2008 by Ostoja “Ossi” Matic, was promptly brought up to date with the latest technology: new lifting platforms, diagnostics, calibration, alignment and sandblasting devices can be found there, as well as a high-quality IT infrastructure for customer acceptance. Of course, a high-voltage workplace should not be missing. Six customer vehicles, which are available while work is being carried out on your own vehicle, round off the offer. 

A photovoltaic system is being planned to make the Lucky Car branch fit for the future in terms of energy technology. In addition to the well-known services such as the repair of accident damage, paint damage and dents as well as windshield repair, vehicle mechanics (service, “Pickerl”) will also be offered for all car brands in the future. Speaking of “Pickerl”: The §57a inspection is now possible in Wiener Neudorf for vehicles weighing up to 3.5 tons; previously the limit was 2.8 tons.

E-mobility is an important driver of the future. In order to be able to keep up, automotive companies have to prepare their employees for vehicles with voltages of over 25 volts AC or 60 volts DC. Extensive training is therefore required.

“We have developed into a full-service provider for vehicle services,” says Kos, who sees great potential in the Wiener Neudorf location: “It is a large catchment area with a wealthy clientele and a high level of motorization due to commuter traffic.” In the future, Lucky Car in Wiener Neudorf wants to serve up to 5,000 customers per year. Lucky Car mastermind Ossi Matic also confirmed in an interview with KFZwirtschaft that the location was ideal. And a lot of the infrastructure was also able to be taken over, after all there was previously a car dealership at the location. 

Managing director Mitar Kos explains Wiener Neudorf about the test market: “We also want to test new products at the location in the future, which we can roll out to other branches.” Because the workshop business is changing and the entire automotive industry is reinventing itself. According to Kos, an important driver of the future is e-mobility. "This could mean that we have to service fewer cars in the future, since electric vehicles do not have combustion engines. On the other hand, the tire business will increase because an electric car has a higher torque, which accelerates tire wear," explains the manager. In addition to the right equipment, know-how is very important in e-mobility. "In order to be able to keep up, motor vehicle companies have to prepare their employees for vehicles with voltages of over 25 volts AC or 60 volts DC. Extensive training is therefore required. Also to ensure the safety of the employees," says Kos. The numbers confirm that investing in high-voltage training is worthwhile: the number of electric cars in Austria almost doubled from 2020 to 2022

Ultimately, IT also plays a major role in the workshop of the future. "The different software systems must be networked with each other to guarantee smooth processes. Data maintenance is an important part of a functioning workshop and should not take up any additional time. That's why we want to automate digital processes." When it comes to customer contact, it will also be important to offer digital contact options: “18 to 35 year olds in particular appreciate contact via smartphone – be it via a messenger or an app,” says Kos.

In Wiener Neudorf, all of these future plans are to become reality now or in the foreseeable future and will then be implemented step by step in all Lucky Car branches in Austria. And Kos promises: “We constantly monitor the market closely so as not to miss any trends.”