Saving >€10M yearly through faster troubleshooting at an auto OEM

European Auto OEM saves >€10m p.a. and accelerated workshop troubleshooting by up to 50% 

Challenge

Repairing modern vehicles with interdependent architectures had become increasingly complex for the OEM’s global workshop network. VIN-specific information like wiring diagrams and installed components was difficult to access, leading to slow diagnosis, repair delays, and repeat visits. Workshop IT systems were not integrated well with engineering data, forcing technicians to rely on manual searches, outdated static diagrams and expert alignment. 

The lack of centralized and up-to-date, VIN-specific data meant that root causes were hard to pinpoint and repair. Technicians needed to switch between various tools and documents for each step, further slowing down workflows and repairs. User interfaces were not intuitive and user-friendly. This not only led to customer dissatisfaction but also drove costs and inefficiencies across thousands of locations. 

Approach

The OEM introduced SPREAD’s Engineering Intelligence Platform to create and deliver VIN-specific system views across its global workshop network. SPREAD ingested wiring harness data, BoMs, communication diagrams and more. After the initial setup, the solution was rolled out across the OEM’s 50,000 service locations. The global teams gained access to tailored insights – integrated into their daily workflows without requiring tool replacements. 

Based on SPREAD’s Platform the E/E Inspector Solution in Aftermarket was deployed: 

• Creation and provision of VIN-specific wiring diagrams and vehicle views, with all relevant information in one user-friendly tool 

• Visualization within interactive 2D wiring diagrams to help technicians understand issues across components and wiring 

• Seamless integration with existing repair workflows and tools 

Impact

SPREAD’s solution directly and quickly translated into measurable outcomes for the OEM:

• >€10m saved annually: Due to faster and correct repairs of errors  

• Up to 50% faster troubleshooting: By better understanding complex electric or wiring issues 

• Higher first-time-right rate (FTR): Enabled by better root cause visibility and less guesswork 

“I rarely in my career have met a company that already in the first meeting convinced me as much with their expertise and solution. Because of this, we are discussing to establish SPREAD as an essential element in the digital twin architecture of our group.” 
— Head of IT Aftermarket