E-scooters enable vehicle collection

COVID-19 restrictions have seen many people unwilling to leave home to visit auto mechanics, especially under Auckland’s level 3 alert.

That’s despite workshops implementing contactless measures and having the green light to operate from the government, so My Auto Shop is using foldable e-scooters nationwide to collect and return vehicles needing repairs or servicing.

Customer aren’t walking in the door anymore, as you can see in the most recent Warrant of Fitness report with inspections falling back to near level 4 volumes – an indicator of general repair work, the company says.

“Over 120 local mechanics are working with My Auto Shop around the country who are feeling this impact, and we want to do what we can to help,” founder Andy Bowie says.

My Auto Shop has made its e-scooter powered pick-up and drop-off solution free nationwide.

This means customers can have a driver partner, armed with their own fleet of folding e-scooters, come and pick up a car and get it sorted at a time when it’s not needed, without (the customer) needing to leave the house, Bowie says.

Drivers have contactless methods in place, such as using disposable seat covers, gloves and sanitising spray, as well as masks.

“Having completed over 100 pick-ups and drop-offs in the last couple of months, we think now is a great time to offer the service to customers, and hopefully enable more traffic into local workshops around the country.”

Online payments are also necessary to ensure contactless service.

My Auto Shop has made its service commission free during this time of hardship, allowing other garages to utilise the online payment portal.