GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Auto-Wares Group of Companies is launching an aftermarket telematics solution to its more than 1,000 Auto Value/Bumper-to-Bumper parts stores and certified service centers throughout the Midwest. Scheduled for release in June 2013, the new telematics program will deliver remote vehicle diagnostics, roadside assistance, service and maintenance, and vehicle health monitoring benefits to its network members. Auto-Wares chose the Delphi Connected Car telematics technology for its solution.
“By offering telematics to our more than 1,000 parts stores and certified service centers throughout Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Wisconsin and Indiana, we are positioning Auto-Wares to better serve our network, fleet customers and consumers,” said Fred Bunting, CEO, Auto-Wares Group of Companies. “This technology will build strong value for our network by supporting our shops with marketing and part sourcing. In turn, they are assisting their customers with remote vehicle diagnostics, and other service and maintenance benefits.”
Delphi’s Connected Car Care telematics solution, an enabling technology, is a wireless communication tool allowing Auto-Wares to “talk” with car owners through a device installed on-vehicle. This two-way communication, coupled with vehicle data delivered from the device, allows Auto-Wares to assist customers with a variety of services including remote vehicle diagnostics, roadside assistance, service and maintenance and vehicle health monitoring.
Auto-Wares anticipates its new telematics program will not only help improve vehicle performance and safety for consumers, but also contribute in helping to drive the parts and services business for its customers. By deploying its telematics program, Auto-Wares will be equipped with the same capabilities designed to enable its network to compete with other connected car care technologies.
The device integrates seamlessly into the vehicle’s architecture to create a totally connected solution. It’s a computer, scan tool and GPS all in one, with superior processing power, OE-component robustness, enhanced vehicle protocols, and requires no driver interface or interaction, according to Auto-Wares. Designed and validated to meet or exceed rigorous automotive standards for temperature, vibration and durability, it offers superior antenna performance for both cellular modem and GPS to ensure OEM-like functionality in an aftermarket solution.
A real time operating system and dual CPUs provide precise timing of events, and a computing platform for system control and interface to automotive electronics and communication systems. The “plug-and play” device is self-installed into a diagnostic connector located under the vehicle dashboard for vehicles from 1996 and onward.
