On-need mechanic application revolutionises auto fix industry

Advantage regulations today’s fast-paced entire world. The on-desire services sector has been flourishing, and e-hailing companies and platforms like Uber and Airbnb are on the increase, revolutionising how we e book vacation and locate lodging.

Nonetheless, what if automobile repairs could be performed with the exact same relieve? Vehicle producing and income have greater drastically in latest decades and the prerequisite for car maintenance rises in tandem with the quantity of vehicles on the highway.

Because of to use and tear, Kenya’s sizeable reliance on the importation of next-hand vehicles has designed a sizable prerequisite for servicing and repair service solutions. Even with the surge of imported automobiles, most repairs are nevertheless performed at informal garages, and the high quality of support might be bad.

Recognising this gap, Harry Rotich aims to intervene by offering specialist and transparent automotive products and services, concentrating on organised garages, and leveraging engineering to meet up with the urgent want for trusted servicing in Kenya’s automotive market place.

His intention is to transform fleet managers’ and automobile owners’ access to automotive services.

With each other with Oscar Owiti who manages operations, they founded UrDrive, an on the web platform that hyperlinks consumers to networks of capable, qualified mechanics. As a end result, the business serves as more than just a provider service provider it is an crucial resolution for contemporary auto owners.

Set up in 2021, UrDrive revolutionises automobile servicing and mend accessibility furnishing stress-free of charge repairs akin to an “Uber for vehicle servicing.”

“We noticed the need for much more handy request placement, expert help, and helpful oversight of on-demand vehicle mend service apps that mechanics can acquire from their improved consumer outreach and the appropriate backing for their competencies on the system,” claims Rotich, who is the CEO.

UrDrive was began because of to the founders’ harrowing seven-hour roadside ordeal, which brought to light Kenya’s acute absence of readily obtainable automotive support.

Identified to trip this encounter to give swift and trustworthy company, leveraging technologies and partnerships, UrDrive envisions a foreseeable future the place acquiring mechanical help is easy, reworking the automotive aid landscape in Kenya.

“The Leila Jana Foundation’s Give Do the job Challenge offered us with the preliminary grant funding of Sh600,000 that we required to produce our technologies and get into the current market. Due to the fact then, we have recognized ourselves in the Kenyan and regional marketplaces by bootstrapping as founders to fund functions and internet marketing,” he states, including that they are actively on the lookout for investment decision and interacting with stakeholders in the commence-up ecosystem to create a extended-term economic program for progress and growth initiatives.

In accordance to Rotich, UrDrive’s notion is simple yet outstanding and gives car entrepreneurs with fast and handy entry to competent mechanics at any time or area. With 7 whole-time employees and 20 mechanics, UrDrive has serviced about 700 cars due to the fact its inception and at this time features three companies mend, services and routine maintenance, and tracking/fleet management.

“You can now request a mechanic to arrive to your place and take care of your car on the location, a lot like you would when ordering a ride on Uber, the concept has gained traction in recent several years because of to the growth of cellular apps and the escalating desire for much more effortless solutions in the automotive business,” he claims.

Soon after downloading the UrDrive app—which is accessible on the App Retail outlet, consumers can register, build an account, and enter the details of their automobile. At present, the solutions are only available in Nairobi, Western and the Rift Valley locations, but the duo hopes to increase into other cities throughout the country.

To get a mechanic when your car breaks down or involves fix, all you have to do is open the app. The application connects you with the closest mechanic who specialises in the variety of function your car or truck requires by utilizing GPS to pinpoint your specific place, which helps make it less complicated for mechanics to get to you rapid, he explains.

The consumer will then acquire info about the mechanic’s practical experience and ratings from preceding buyers.

Rotich suggests that the user receives an upfront expense estimate for any important routine maintenance or repairs ahead of confirming the support. By accomplishing this, the unpredictability that arrives with classic repair shops is taken out.

The mechanic will appear to your locale with the essential applications and areas soon after you approve the estimate.

“Our pricing for items and services varies relying on the distinct nature of the automotive maintenance or routine maintenance required, as well as variables these as car or truck sort, site, and parts/labour expenses. For specific pricing info, customers can request a quotation via our person-friendly app, relying on the assistance and locale of the shopper, the normal getting Sh1,500,” he says.

Speaking about the company’s investigate, Rotich states they uncovered that most mechanics make about Sh250 for each hour as they are only paid after correcting a car. Mechanics at UrDrive get 60 p.c of what they would gain in regular restore outlets.

“Our mechanics are compensated a service price by the clientele, and they pay UrDriver a referral price per services performed from our system. We have partnered with TEVTs, where by we soak up experienced expertise, after which they go by a a few-7 days customized education made available by our grasp mechanics with a in shape evaluation carried out just after the teaching to figure out who progresses to activation on the Application,” he says.

UrDive has managed to penetrate the competitive environment of automotive companies by leveraging a combination of innovation, technologies, and strategic partnerships. Rotich notes that clear pricing, vetted mechanics, and authentic-time monitoring by way of their person-friendly app guarantee top-notch provider, Ur-Drive’s tech-driven approach makes task prospects for neighborhood mechanics, fostering economic growth.

Their vision is to solidify its situation as a chief in the automotive services sector. The enterprise prides by itself in being the pioneer in mechanics hailing app in the automotive support sector, increasing its purchaser base, and acquiring constructive feed-back from content consumers.