AUTO1 views the slow economic growth as causing Thai consumers to delay buying new cars and instead maintain their old vehicles, leading to growth in Fast Fit service centers. The company is accelerating investment plans to open 5 new branches in Q4 2025 in tourist provinces and major cities.
Somchai Thawornrungroj, executive at AUTO1, a comprehensive car service center under CRC Thai Watsadu Co., Ltd., part of Central Retail, said that due to the economic slowdown, consumers are postponing new car purchases and focusing more on maintaining their existing vehicles.
Additionally, the continuous rapid growth of electric vehicles is driving increased demand for related services, reflecting a market trend where car users seek Fast Fit service centers that are easily accessible, trustworthy, and meet quality standards.
Based on these factors, AUTO1 is accelerating branch expansion in strategic locations nationwide in the final quarter of 2025, opening 5 new branches: AUTO1 Robinson Suphanburi (50th branch), AUTO1 Rat Phatthana (51st branch), AUTO1 Thai Watsadu Kanchanaburi (52nd branch), and AUTO1 Thai Watsadu Nakhon Nayok (53rd branch).
All these locations were selected after strategic evaluation based on three criteria: 1. Density of registered vehicles, 2. Local economic growth potential, and 3. Convenience of customer access to services.
Especially in major cities that serve as key regional transport hubs, these branches facilitate easier customer access to services and align with significantly increased vehicle maintenance needs this year.
At the same time, AUTO1 has elevated the standards of its service centers nationwide to EV Certified Service Shops to support the growing electric vehicle user base. Their technicians have undergone specialized training in electric vehicles (EV) from an expert automotive electric vehicle department. They have also enhanced service through the Auto1 app, which connects customer data from all branches, records service history, and automatically notifies maintenance schedules.
For example, alerts for tire changes or brake inspections, along with a convenient and fast appointment booking system. This integrated data technology helps AUTO1 technicians analyze vehicle conditions more accurately and offer personalized maintenance solutions precisely.
Somchai added that AUTO1 has improved nationwide service quality by adopting the 4C strategy as the core for development—from technicians, technology, service systems to community connections around branches—to elevate car care experiences that truly meet modern customer needs, consisting of:
C1-Commitment: Enhancing technician skills to experts through training at the Auto1 Training Hub.
C2-Community Care: Committed to customer service and community assistance, including emergency vehicle repair within a 10-kilometer radius from branches.
C3-Connectivity: Seamless connection of all services using technology through Omnichannel Service and the Auto1 app.
C4-Convenience: Increasing convenience and comprehensive services for car lovers in every area.
"The heart of AUTO1 car service centers is not just repairing vehicles to run well but caring for every concern of car owners. We focus on upgrading our technicians, technology, and service experience to ensure customers feel secure and confident every time they use our services," he said.
Furthermore, AUTO1 aims to expand to 100 branches by 2026 to create a comprehensive nationwide service network, especially in potential areas lacking standard service centers. This expansion is not merely about increasing numbers but building a complete ecosystem that connects all branches with unified technology and service standards, ensuring customers receive equally excellent experiences everywhere, anytime.