Quito, 25 November 2024.-Mundo Motriz was founded in 2008 by Seguros Equinoccial. Initially, the company focused exclusively on working with the insurer, repairing approximately 120 accident-damaged vehicles monthly. The initial investment to launch the business was $1.5 million.
Over time, the company grew, achieving a revenue of $2.8 million in 2019.However, the pandemic took its toll, forcing the company to reinvent itself. During the lockdown, the lack of mobility meant fewer accidents and claims, resulting in a $500,000 loss by the end of 2020. This prompted the creation of Mundo Partes, a subdivision of Mundo Motriz dedicated to buying and selling spare parts, launched with an investment of $20,000.
Three years after the pandemic, accident rates increased significantly. Mundo Motriz was handling approximately 1,300 cases per month, with revenue climbing to $4.2 million.
Today, the company is opening its collision repair services to the public and partnering with all insurers offering automotive policies. It incorporates cutting-edge tools, including artificial intelligence, into its processes.
Marcelo Gárate, the company’s General Manager, took the role in April of this year. An experienced mechanical engineer with an Executive Master’s degree in Marketing and Digital Transformation from INCAE, Gárate is committed to revitalizing the company.
Gárate focuses his management approach on building a competitive model adaptable to change. He explains that expanding collision repair services to all insurers allows individuals to "bring their vehicle to our workshop, receive service, and be billed directly. This means they are no longer required to have insurance. Currently we have four corporate clients and serve about 200 individual customers monthly."«.
This year, with a $1 million investment, Mundo Motriz began expanding to Guayaquil, Cuenca, and Ambato. Speaking to Forbes, Gárate emphasized his commitment to continuous development. He recalled attending an industry convention in Panama last July, where the role of artificial intelligence in the sector's growth was a key topic. A figure stuck with him: the AI market in the automotive industry is projected to reach $35 billion by 2033,according to a McKinsey study. "On the flight back, my mind was racing with ideas on how to integrate AI into the company, and I succeeded. I wrote the concept down on a napkin."
At the end of October, ED-Mundo was launched, a virtual executive for Mundo Motriz initially focused on spare parts sales. The initial investment in this innovation was $430,000. "Users can access personalized recommendations 24/7 based on their needs and receive real-time assistance for their queries. It can even interpret regional language variations and slang from across the country."
The goal is to streamline inventory management, create quotes, and eventually advise clients on vehicle purchases.
Today, Mundo Motriz is valued at $4 million, with about 20 suppliers and a workforce of 200 employees, including direct and indirect staff. This year, the company aims to achieve $6 million in revenue.
Fuente: https://www.forbes.com.ec/inteligencia-artificial/lleva-ia-sector-colisiones-n63193
