CAMBRIDGE, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Openbay, the only nationwide online marketplace for auto repair, has partnered with AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE: AZO) to enable Boston-area consumers to comparison shop for and book automotive repair and maintenance services with a network of local professionals directly from AutoZone.com. AutoZone is the nation's leading auto parts retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories, and the relationship with Openbay will save its customers the time, money and hassle of finding a trustworthy mechanic when their vehicles require professional service.
Starting this month, consumers in the greater Boston region can take advantage of this new service offering by visiting Autozone.com. The Openbay platform allows consumers to enter specific automotive service needs or describe problems with their vehicle. Local automotive professionals respond with binding offers for service. Consumers select from multiple competitive offers to include pricing, location, customer ratings and reviews.
“AutoZone chose to partner with Openbay because it’s at the forefront of innovation in the automotive repair business,” said Al Saltiel, AutoZone’s senior vice president of marketing, customer satisfaction. “Openbay and AutoZone are helping to pair vehicle repair services with consumers in a unique and compelling way.”
AutoZone commercial automotive repair businesses will be added to Openbay’s extensive network of Greater Boston-area service providers that may respond to Openbay users’ requests for vehicle repair. Throughout the partnership, Openbay users will continue to enjoy the platform’s options for vehicle service.
“Openbay has pole position in the do-it-for-me (DIFM) auto repair market, and AutoZone is an auto parts leader for Professional Shops and do-it-yourself (DIY) vehicle repair,” said Rob Infantino, founder & CEO of Openbay. “While the relationship is a logical one, it’s thrilling that our startup has earned the attention and trust of AutoZone, a publicly traded Fortune 500 company. Openbay is gaining momentum, thanks to our innovative, hassle-free approach to auto repair.”
Since its inception, Cambridge, MA-based Openbay has used the Boston area as its test track for many new initiatives, and will use the Greater Boston region as the pilot market for consumers to book vehicle repair services via AutoZone.com. Annual automotive aftermarket service sales account for more than $2 billion in the Greater Boston region and more than $6 billion statewide.
About Openbay
Openbay is an award-winning online marketplace helping consumers comparison shop for automotive repair and maintenance service saving upward of 50% by shops competing for their business. In 2015, Openbay announced OpenbayConnect, a first-of-its-kind car repair service to remotely determine the cause and cost of automotive repairs. Openbay is headquartered in Cambridge, MA, is privately held and its investors include Google Ventures, a16z seed, Boston Seed Capital, Stage 1 Ventures and several individual investors.
About AutoZone
As of February 14, 2015, AutoZone sells auto and light truck parts, chemicals and accessories through 5,042 AutoZone stores in 49 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico in the U.S., and 411 stores in Mexico and five stores in Brazil and 18 IMC branches for a total count of 5,476.
AutoZone is the leading retailer and a leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States. Each AutoZone store carries an extensive product line for cars, sport utility vehicles, vans and light trucks, including new and remanufactured automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products. Many stores also have a commercial sales program that provides commercial credit and prompt delivery of parts and other products to local, regional and national repair garages, dealers, service stations, and public sector accounts. IMC branches carry an extensive line of OE quality import replacement parts. AutoZone also sells the ALLDATA brand diagnostic and repair software through www.alldata.com. Additionally, it sells automotive hard parts, maintenance items, accessories, and non-automotive products through www.autozone.com, and accessories and performance parts through www.autoanything.com, and commercial customers can make purchases through www.autozonepro.com and www.imcparts.net. AutoZone does not derive revenue from automotive repair or installation.
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