TopMotive
TopMotive is a family-owned German software company founded in 1994 that builds catalog, information, and ERP systems (NEXT, KfzWIN, tmERIK) for the independent automotive aftermarket, serving parts manufacturers, wholesalers, workshops, and drivers across 11 locations in 5 European countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersBargteheide, Germany
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What TopMotive does
TopMotive is a family-owned German software company, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Bargteheide, that develops catalog, information, and ERP systems for the independent automotive aftermarket. The company employs 350+ experts across 11 locations in 5 countries (Germany, Austria, Romania, Italy, and the Netherlands) and operates through multiple subsidiaries including DVSE GmbH, MSDas GmbH, Topmotive Data GmbH, Cartelligence GmbH, and country-specific entities. Its solutions serve four primary customer segments — parts manufacturers, parts wholesalers, independent workshops, and workshop chains — with a growing extension into end consumers via tools such as fahrzeugschein.de and the Cartelligence driver app. The company describes itself as the European market leader in this segment.
The product portfolio is built on a platform-plus-modules architecture. NEXT is the flagship self-learning catalog and information system, covering graphical parts search, work values, tire & wheel search, truck VIN catalog, fast calculation, and a self-learning vehicle file. KfzWIN is the long-standing on-premise dealer management system with more than 6,500 installations at over 24,700 workstations and 250+ realized interfaces including SilverDAT3, ASA, and DATEV. tmERIK is the next-generation cloud-based ERP offered internationally with multilingual support and tiered pricing (Silver €40/month, Gold €60/month, Platinum €95/month). Supporting modules include APOLLO for data management, TecCat for standardized catalogs, TOPMOTIVE Analytics for business intelligence and forecasting, TOPMOTIVE Datapool as a centralized catalog data hub, and TM Connect for third-party integrations. AI-embedded products include fahrzeugschein.de (computer vision for digitizing vehicle registration certificates, co-developed with Autosiastik Software GmbH), kfz-translator (27-language technical term translation), and Schrauberjobs (a career platform co-developed with Schrauberblog).
TopMotive generates revenue through a mix of recurring SaaS subscriptions (tmERIK and ongoing module fees), perpetual on-premise licenses (KfzWIN), per-module and per-user add-ons, professional services billed at €95/hour, and data consulting services. Distribution combines direct enterprise field sales to manufacturers, wholesalers, and workshop chains with inside sales via website contact/demo forms, channel partnerships with wholesalers and industry distributors, and a self-serve cloud SaaS motion for SMB workshops. Go-to-market is reinforced by regular Automechanika trade-show presence and a multi-channel marketing approach including content, SEO, newsletters, social media, and image campaigns. The company is privately held by the founding families, transitioned operational management to the second generation in 2023, and has no external institutional investors.
TopMotive firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- TopMotive
- Legal name
- DVSE Gesellschaft für Datenverarbeitung, Service und Entwicklung mbH
- Website
- https://topmotive.eu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- TopMotive is a family-owned German software company founded in 1994 that builds catalog, information, and ERP systems (NEXT, KfzWIN, tmERIK) for the independent automotive aftermarket, serving parts manufacturers, wholesalers, workshops, and drivers across 11 locations in 5 European countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
TopMotive industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Automotive Aftermarket Software
- NAICS
- Custom Computer Programming Services (541511), Automotive Parts and Accessories Retailers (44133), Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers (4413)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Motor Vehicle Supplies & New Parts (5013), Wholesale-Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Parts & Supplies (5010)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty) (TLAKAOAA)
Keywords
Where TopMotive is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bargteheide
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices7 records
Markets served
TopMotive business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Software Subscriptions (SaaS): Recurring subscription revenue from cloud-based ERP and catalog systems including tmERIK (cloud-based, billed monthly), KfzWIN, NEXT, and other software products. Subscription tiers with varying feature sets and user counts. Minimum contract period of 12 months.
- Software Licenses (On-premise/Perpetual): One-time perpetual license fees for on-premise ERP systems (KfzWIN) with one-off entry fees for setup and instruction (e.g., Silver package entry fee 300 EUR, Gold 500 EUR, Platinum 750 EUR).
- Module Add-ons and Extensions: Additional monthly fees for optional modules and features beyond base packages, including vehicle registration document scanner (5 EUR/month), EC terminal connection (from 10 EUR/month), SilverDAT calculation import (10 EUR/month), fiscal trust carefree package with Cloud TSE (398 EUR/year), multi-company/branch capability (upon request), and per-user fees.
- Professional Services: Setup, instruction, and online training services billed at cost per hour (95 EUR/hour). Implementation and customization services for enterprise deployments.
- Data Services and Consulting: Data consulting services from advisory to data management programs. Data optimization and standardization services for spare parts data.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Monthly | tmERIK Silver Package - Core workshop management |
| Subscription | Monthly | tmERIK Gold Package - Extended features with scanner and evaluations |
| Subscription | Monthly | tmERIK Platinum Package - Full-featured with workshop planner and accounting |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Additional Modules - Per-module add-ons |
Go-to-market motion4 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels8 records
TopMotive product offering
Product offeringCore offering
TopMotive develops and sells catalog, information, and ERP software systems for the independent automotive aftermarket in Europe. Its core products include the NEXT self-learning catalog system, KfzWIN dealer management system, and tmERIK cloud-based ERP, supported by data management (Apollo, TOPMOTIVE Datapool, Analytics) and digital communication tools (Cartelligence). The company primarily serves parts manufacturers, wholesalers, and independent repair workshops across 11 locations in 5 European countries.
Product overview
TOPMOTIVE is a software solutions provider for the automotive aftermarket offering a platform-plus-modules architecture spanning catalog systems, ERP solutions, and data services. The core portfolio includes: NEXT (first-generation self-learning catalog system with modules like Grafische Teilesuche, Arbeitswerte, Reifen & Räder, Truck VIN, Universalteilsuche, Fast Calculator, and selbstlernende Fahrzeugakte); KfzWIN (dealer management system for independent workshops and parts trade with 250+ interfaces); tmERIK (next-generation cloud-based ERP for workshop processes with Silver/Gold/Platinum pricing tiers); Apollo (data management program); TecCat (standardized catalog); TOPMOTIVE Analytics (business intelligence); TM Connect (interface solution); TOPMOTIVE Datapool (catalog data hub); and Industry Catalog. The company also operates standalone digital products including fahrzeugschein.de (AI document digitization), Schrauberjobs (automotive career platform), and kfz-translator (27-language technical translation). These solutions serve parts manufacturers, wholesalers, independent workshops, workshop chains, and vehicle drivers across 11 locations in 5 countries.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- NEXT: Self-learning information system for catalog management in the automotive aftermarket
- tmERIK
- KfzWIN
- TecCat
- Cartelligence
- APOLLO
- TM Connect
- fahrzeugschein.de
- Schrauberjobs
- kfz-translator
- TOPMOTIVE Datapool
- TOPMOTIVE Analytics
Products and services
- NEXT
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 6,500 KfzWIN installations supporting more than 24,700 workstations
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use TopMotive
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
TopMotive technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration9 records
AI capability8 records
Feature11 records
TopMotive partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- PARTSLIFEcorePARTSLIFE integration in NEXT catalog enables workshops to submit waste disposal orders directly via the familiar NEXT interface. After one-time login, access is permanent. Integration focuses on sustainability through optimized disposal processes, reduced environmental impact, and correct disposal/recycling of automotive parts.
- Autosiastik Software GmbHcoreCo-developed the AI tool 'fahrzeugschein.de' for digitizing analog vehicle registration certificates. The platform provides drivers with digital registration data and additional vehicle-related services. Project took two years to develop.
- Schrauberblog (Christian Cloppenburg and Marco ten Hagen)coreLaunched 'Schrauberjobs' career platform for the automotive industry. Schrauberblog founders bring one of the largest automotive communities in Europe (10M+ potential applicants) to the partnership. Platform enables simplified job applications without lengthy cover letters.
- Schleswig-Holstein Association of the Automotive IndustrycoreCollaborated on the 'kfz-translator' project to reduce technical language barriers in the automotive industry. Online translation tool available in 27 languages with technical drawings for vehicle terms. Supports training of young automotive specialists and access to labor market for non-German-speaking specialists.
- Deutsche Automobil TreuhandcorePartner in the kfz-translator project with Schleswig-Holstein Association. Contributed to the development of the online translation tool for technical automotive terms in 27 languages.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
TopMotive competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- TecAlliance: German-headquartered data management and software provider for the independent automotive aftermarket, directly competing with TopMotive in catalog data, vehicle master data, and parts information services. The most direct competitor in the European IAM software space.
- DAT (Deutsche Automobil Treuhand): German provider of vehicle valuation, technical data, and aftermarket information services, including VIN decoding and market data. Already a TopMotive integration partner (DAT VIN query) but also operates in overlapping vehicle data and catalog services for the IAM.
- Mitchell 1: US-based provider of automotive repair information, shop management systems, and estimating services for the IAM. Comparable to TopMotive's combined catalog-plus-ERP offering for independent workshops.
- ALLDATA: US-based automotive repair information and shop management software provider that recently announced a cooperation with TopMotive (2025). Comparable in providing OEM-grade repair data, diagnostic information, and shop solutions to the IAM channel.
- HaynesPro: Provider of technical data and repair information for the automotive aftermarket, serving workshops, wholesalers, and parts manufacturers. Directly comparable to TopMotive's NEXT catalog and KfzWIN/tmERIK workshop offerings, with overlap in vehicle data and repair information.
- Autodata (by Solera): Provider of technical automotive information, repair data, and maintenance schedules for workshops and fleets. Already integrated into TopMotive's NEXT catalog as an AUTODATA training module, but also a competitor in workshop-facing repair information services.
Others
- CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation) — ServiceNow: Enterprise cloud platform provider whose workflow and integration capabilities are increasingly used by large automotive ecosystem players as a backbone. Tangentially related as a potential platform/ecosystem technology reference rather than a direct IAM software competitor.
Broad incumbents
- Snap-on Business Solutions: Diversified tool, diagnostic, and shop management provider with a significant IAM software business through Snap-on Business Solutions. Overlaps with TopMotive's KfzWIN/tmERIK workshop management and parts catalog offerings as part of a broader portfolio.
- Bosch Automotive Aftermarket: Global automotive supplier with a substantial aftermarket division that includes diagnostic systems, workshop concepts, and connected services. Operates as a broad incumbent in the same independent aftermarket TopMotive serves, with overlapping software-driven workshop solutions.
Emerging players
- TecCom (part of TecAlliance): B2B e-commerce and order management platform for the automotive aftermarket, focused on parts ordering between manufacturers, wholesalers, and workshops. Adjacent and partially overlapping with TopMotive's TM Connect and Datapool wholesale enablement.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
TopMotive social profiles
Digital presenceTopMotive financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
TopMotive leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
TopMotive subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries8 records
TopMotive funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
TopMotive M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about TopMotive
What does TopMotive do?
TopMotive develops and sells catalog, information, and ERP software systems for the independent automotive aftermarket in Europe. Its core products include the NEXT self-learning catalog system, KfzWIN dealer management system, and tmERIK cloud-based ERP, supported by data management (Apollo, TOPMOTIVE Datapool, Analytics) and digital communication tools (Cartelligence). The company primarily serves parts manufacturers, wholesalers, and independent repair workshops across 11 locations in 5 European countries.
Is TopMotive a public or private company?
TopMotive is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was TopMotive founded?
TopMotive was founded in 1994. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is TopMotive based?
TopMotive is headquartered in Bargteheide, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does TopMotive make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Software Subscriptions (SaaS) is the primary driver. The others are software Licenses (On-premise/Perpetual), module Add-ons and Extensions, professional Services and data Services and Consulting.
Who are TopMotive's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are TecAlliance, DAT (Deutsche Automobil Treuhand), Mitchell 1, ALLDATA, HaynesPro and Autodata (by Solera). CSC (Computer Sciences Corporation) — ServiceNow is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are Snap-on Business Solutions and Bosch Automotive Aftermarket. TecCom (part of TecAlliance) is listed as an emerging player.
Does TopMotive have an API?
No public API is recorded for TopMotive.
What industry is TopMotive in?
TopMotive's product category is Automotive Aftermarket Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLAKAOAA, Automotive Aftermarket Parts Distribution (Light-Duty). Its NAICS code is 541511 and its SIC code is 5013.