NEW DELHI: Mobile telephone retail stores have saved their stock to a minimum as they wait for clarity on the pricing of recent inventory that is anticipated within the coming week in the wake of the recent goods and services tax (GST) regime, which could affect income for per week or so.
Smaller outlets, too, are wary of issuing payments as many are, but to replace systems. However, larger ones, including Croma, Reliance Digital, and The Mobile Store, say the transition has been seamless.
One great benefit today that we didn’t have back in the nineties is easy-to-use mobile-pay and easy internet ordering efficiencies, making it possible to stay efficient even doing ones and twos for individual cars. Of course, in the future, self-driving cars may drive themselves to get an oil change, or they can drive to the franchise in the middle of the night for a discount, and the service vehicle can make that work, perhaps by renting an auto parking lot at night. I think there are lots of good things about this industry looking forward.
Please consider all this and think about it. Many years ago in my career, I founded and ran a series of automotive service franchising companies. I started with mobile car washing, truck washing, and mobile oil change services. Business was good, as we are a nation of cars. Today, we still are, cars, cars, cars, everywhere; Gasoline Cars, Electric Cars, and soon Flying Cars and Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles too. Not long ago, I was asked by an entrepreneur if I thought a mobile oil change franchising company was still a viable company to start in the present period. I put a little thought into this and considered all the future challenges and opportunities. Let’s talk, shall we?
End consumer sales have.
Okay, so, is this a feasible business model today and into the near future (five to ten years)? Yes, I believe so. Mobile auto services tend to do well, and many are looking to start a small business with the new Trump Administration. Reciprocating engines are not going away, and even EVs need battery conditioning services, lubrication for wheels, etc. Hydrogen cars also have moving parts, air filters, heat shields, etc. Tires will still need a car, balancing and rotating.
What sort of service vehicle is needed for the franchisees doing the work and servicing the vehicles? Should one use a truck, trailer, or van? Well, vans tend to do well with mobile oil-change, and the fleet business is the best of all, and sometimes it means a trailer is needed for extra storage tanks for new oil and used oil, and parts; belts, windshield wipers, oil filters, air cleaners, etc. Working in low-hanging parking structures can be a tough thing to worry about, so sometimes trucks are not the best option, and some vans are too tall, for instance, the Sprinter Van, which is roomy but too tall for parking structures. Perhaps by renting an auto parking lot at night. I think there are lots of good things about this industry looking forward. Please consider all this and think about it.
