Posted by
Auto Care News
on
February 04, 2020
BETHESDA, Md. – February 4, 2020 – Officially launched at
AAPEX last fall, UniLink™ is
the latest addition to the Auto Care Association’s suite of technology products,
in a collaboration with trusted vehicle data partner, IHS Markit. UniLink™, which is a data set provided on the Auto Care
Association’s Vehicle Information Portal (VIP), is a global vehicle identifier
that enables the automotive aftermarket to sell more parts in more markets.
The world vehicle parc – estimated at 1.4 billion vehicles –
changes every year at an estimated rate of 12 to 14%. This represents a
turnover of 40-50 million vehicles each year, creating the need for new
applications to be developed by the aftermarket industry to keep up with new
vehicle technology and trends. In this rapidly changing global landscape, UniLink™
is the must-have tool for today’s industry that allows businesses to quickly
research these changes and identify new uses for new applications or for new
product development—allowing them to remain competitive by adapting and
evolving their product portfolios.
The UniLink™ database contains manufacturing
information extending back to 1998 that is organized into 16 high-level
original equipment manufacturing attributes. This vehicle platform approach to
the UniLink™
database allows users to cross-reference vehicle makes, models and propulsion
types (including electric) across different countries. The database serves as a
high-level bridge to ACES, so users can see which parts fit with their product
portfolio.
With UniLink™, users are able to:
- Identify
new countries, makes and models to sell existing parts already in their portfolio—eliminating
redundancies in the supply chain.
- Reach
new markets across the globe for underperforming inventory parts that are sitting
and collecting dust at the warehouse.
- Connect
product data under a unified platform approach to reduce redundant,
time-consuming research and avoid costly errors.
During its first year
of operation, UniLink™
is currently available at a reduced price for early adopters.
To learn more about UniLink™ and to schedule a demo today,
please visit autocare.org/unilink or email Scott
Howat at scott.howat@autocare.org.