Vehicle market data services multinational TecAlliance has signed contracts with three local automotive aftermarket suppliers to make their article data available and become part of the TecDoc Catalogue, which is one of the world’s largest replacement parts catalogues to reach customers in the Independent Automotive Aftermarket (IAM), TecAlliance says in a statement.

The companies are Cape Parts Distributors for its Auto Cylinder brand, Argus Motor Company with its DOE, Beta, Argus Motoring and Rhyno brands, and GUD Holding for its GUD Filters article data.

Additionally, African wholesalers Motus Aftermarket Parts is now a TecDoc data user. Motus' own business-to-business catalogue based on the latest TecDoc-data will be available to customers across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Lesotho.

"In the coming years, TecAlliance is planning to set up branches in every country with more than ten-million registered vehicles. Each will initially consist of a small team of experts and be expanded step by step," says TecAlliance partner management and Africa VP Robert Szwed.

“Data is our passion. We shape the international automotive aftermarket together with our customers, partners and shareholders and through game-changing scientific cooperation. We are focused on connecting all market participants.

"Regional proximity to customers, partnerships and open dialogue form the basis of our expansion. These strong local brands helps us to deepen our global footprint and to strengthen the market position of TecDoc as a catalogue data standard in South Africa," he says.

Data suppliers also benefit, Szwed adds.

"Data-driven business in South Africa is growing and it is clear that suppliers need an experienced partner like us to speed up their digitisation. A data supplier makes its article data available and becomes part of the TecDoc Catalogue. In this way the company can expand its reach and enter into new markets, which contributes to the increase in sales."