Xavier Vandame : "MSX International must change with the market”
Since the global pandemic in 2020, the gears of the well-oiled machine that has been MSX International for over 30 years have started turning again at an accelerated pace! The American group, with €430 million in turnover in 2023 and employing 5,000 people spread across 80 countries – supported by Bain Capital since 2017 – still provides “support” functions for manufacturers and their distribution and aftermarket networks.
This support includes activities linked to warranty management, technical assistance, training, and specific aftersales coaching for approved workshops. MSXI has even enriched its offering with programmes to improve commercial performance of vehicle sales (new and used), the sale of spare parts and services, the optimization of distribution costs, and the improvement of loyalty via customer service centres! Its customer portfolio has expanded to include both manufacturers and dealer groups (Penske in the United States, Emil Frey in Europe, etc.), independent groups such as Autodistribution in France, Frizelle Group in Australia, and other players like Michelin in India, ALD/Lease Plan, Free2Move, Leasys, Petronas and Shell. Finally, additional building blocks have appeared, such as advanced data analysis, the development of software solutions, as well as publications such as parts catalogues, technical manuals, manuals/user instructions for the end user, etc.
Asia continues to thrive, Europe remains resilient
For Xavier Vandame who has led the Asia Pacific region for 14 years, this area is undeniably a fertile ground. The group has expanded its presence from Australia to Japan, covering China, India, Korea, and Vietnam. “It’s an ultra-dynamic zone, but Europe closely follows suit, where our growth remains robust! This enthusiasm is fuelled by electrification, new technologies, and the arrival of new players like Nio, MG, Genesis, Polestar and VinFast”, notes the vice-president Global Sales. He highlights the global shortage of technicians in regions such as India, Japan, Korea, and Europe, where they are discouraged from working in workshops that they find unappealing. “To the point where we have recently taken charge of initiating recruitment campaigns for manufacturers’ networks, including reviewing applications and evaluating profiles.”
Technological advancements, the shift to electric vehicles, and access to data are accelerating for MSXI, driven by the rapid changes in the market, customer expectations, and increasingly sophisticated demands. “We must adapt to the market by expanding our training modules, addressing both complex breakdown diagnoses, technical assistance, and commercial methods! Effective data management is crucial for overseeing network performance and meeting customer expectations. While China leads in the field with a rapidly growing electric fleet, I would like to remind you that, amid this technological excitement, we still provide training on gearboxes and internal combustion engines. The transition to electric vehicles will take time”, emphasizes Xavier Vandame.
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