Auto360 wants to be the go-to site for Malaysia’s automotive aftermarket

Your car is probably one of your biggest investments. But exactly how much do you know about it? When something goes wrong, who do you call?

Auto360 is a one-stop online directory for the automotive industry in Malaysia. The website, which also has an app version, allows car users to find their desired products and services, retailers and service centers, as well as real-time road assists.

So whether you’re looking for spare parts or car services such as washing or tinting, or are in need of the nearest tow truck, Auto360 is the site to go to.

Building a network of partners

The site was launched in February by founder Chan Say Hwa, who is also the managing director of Auto360’s parent company, Hiap Huat Holdings. Hiap Huat a licensed waste management firm that specializes in oil and chemical recycling. It mainly produces quality recycled vehicle lubricant oils such as the AF1 hydraulic oil, engine oil, gear oil, and heavy chasis grease.

Barry Chin, marketing manager for Hiap Huat, says Chan deals with a network of auto shops in the recycling business, hence the idea to put up the online directory. “We have a strong business relationship with these shops. This gives Auto360 the advantage of understanding the nature of the auto industry and dealing with our business partners,” he says.

According to Chin, the automotive industry in Malaysia has been growing rapidly year on year, and naturally, the aftermarket is growing as well. Chan saw this as another lucrative business so he quickly forayed into it.

Best features

On Auto360, the consumers themselves offer the biggest help. The site features reviews from consumers with the aim of making car owners smarter about automobile care.

“Users find the necessary info they need. We provide a column to write down reviews of retailers and their offerings that users can read and comment to. This is beneficial for all,” Chin notes.

To avoid confusion, Auto360 lets users filter through tons of information by type of product or service, location and postal code, and retailer’s name.

However, Chin says their real-time road assistance is their greatest feature yet. “We believe one of the pains consumers face is the difficulty of looking for assistance during a car breakdown or accident in the middle of a busy road. To search for road assistance from the nearest provider is also one of the biggest challenges. With the help of the real-time road assist function on our app, users can easily get the nearest tow truck service available with GPS. This makes Auto360 handy and practical.”