International Newsmaker Q&A: Dino Maggioni

Will the new shop models Magneti Marelli brings to the U.S. be the same as its European Checkstar brand?

The model we will use and the experience we will bring, we will merge together with the experience that Mopar already has, is the Magneti Marelli Checkstar. (As of now they will not bring the logo and name.) But all of the experience we have here make us the best repair shop in Italy. But best, because the customers said that. It was interviews and then visiting the Checkstar and then saying, yes, I would come back because they are nice and they are good and they have a quality service and good products. This is the experience done through training, technical assistance and call centers. All the experience we have developed in other markets like Italy and make us very successful here, we will be having all in the U.S. We have ideas to communicate to them quality and the width of the range we make available.

Also, service, the distribution of Mopar is really very good. Also, they increase for their shops, the opening hours. Some have already been experienced here in Europe and tested in the past, and some of course are typically American.

Will Magneti Marelli expand beyond distributing parts through Mopar in the U.S.?

We will go through Mopar dealers first. This is our priority. In any case if we can have more reach, more capitalization in the market, we will do it in agreement with them. It’s a common target between us and Mopar to reach big numbers. But to do that, we will do it in a reasonable way and proper way in the marketplace.

Magneti Marelli CEO Dino Maggioni spoke exclusively with Aftermarket Business World at Autopromotec 2011. He discussed the company’s distribution of product in the U.S. through Chrysler’s Mopar dealers, as well as a quick lube shop model it is launching based on its European Checkstar shops.

Will the new shop models Magneti Marelli brings to the U.S. be the same as its European Checkstar brand?

The model we will use and the experience we will bring, we will merge together with the experience that Mopar already has, is the Magneti Marelli Checkstar. (As of now they will not bring the logo and name.) But all of the experience we have here make us the best repair shop in Italy. But best, because the customers said that. It was interviews and then visiting the Checkstar and then saying, yes, I would come back because they are nice and they are good and they have a quality service and good products. This is the experience done through training, technical assistance and call centers. All the experience we have developed in other markets like Italy and make us very successful here, we will be having all in the U.S. We have ideas to communicate to them quality and the width of the range we make available.

Also, service, the distribution of Mopar is really very good. Also, they increase for their shops, the opening hours. Some have already been experienced here in Europe and tested in the past, and some of course are typically American.

Will Magneti Marelli expand beyond distributing parts through Mopar in the U.S.?

We will go through Mopar dealers first. This is our priority. In any case if we can have more reach, more capitalization in the market, we will do it in agreement with them. It’s a common target between us and Mopar to reach big numbers. But to do that, we will do it in a reasonable way and proper way in the marketplace.