Bosch Vehicle Care Assistant: Digital and plannable maintenance management for small and medium-sized company fleets

Karlsruhe – When vehicles are in daily use, unplanned downtime can quickly become an organizational problem. With the Bosch Vehicle Care Assistant (VCA), Bosch is expanding its digital portfolio for workshops and fleet customers. The software digitally connects vehicles of small and medium-sized companies with their designated Bosch Car Service workshop. Based on relevant vehicle data such as mileage, tire pressure, service intervals, or warning messages, maintenance needs can be identified early, and service appointments can be planned proactively and efficiently. This helps companies to increase fleet availability and reduce unplanned downtime.

Greater overview and predictability for small fleets

Companies with smaller vehicle fleets, such as craft businesses, delivery services, and care and mobility services, heavily rely on the availability of their vehicles in their daily operations. At the same time, many of these companies do not have their own fleet management systems. The Vehicle Care Assistant closes this gap with an easy-to-use digital solution. Via the vehicle's integrated connectivity or an OBD dongle, relevant vehicle data is transmitted to the designated workshop and can be viewed in the Vehicle Care Assistant. The Bosch Car Service workshop can continuously monitor the vehicle's condition and proactively contact its customers in case of warning messages or upcoming maintenance. This allows companies to benefit from better predictability, reduced administrative effort, and more transparency about the condition of their vehicles, leaving them more time for their core business.

From a reactive repair shop to a proactive service partner

The Vehicle Care Assistant also opens up new opportunities for Bosch Car Service workshops. Instead of only becoming active in the event of maintenance or damage, they can now provide their customers with predictive support and position themselves more strongly as long-term mobility partners for local businesses. The early detection of service needs also facilitates better workshop utilization planning and creates additional potential for plannable service revenues and stronger customer loyalty.

"Many smaller companies rely on their vehicles daily but do not have the resources for professional fleet management systems," says Elena Orti, Project Manager for the Vehicle Care Assistant. "The Vehicle Care Assistant is a simple digital solution with added value for both sides: Companies benefit from higher vehicle availability, and workshops can serve their customers more proactively and build longer-term customer relationships."

With digital solutions like the Vehicle Care Assistant, Bosch continues to drive the transformation towards data-based and connected service offerings in the independent aftermarket. The service is now available in Germany, Denmark, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom, with a gradual rollout planned for other European countries.