1a autoservice

What 1a autoservice does

1a autoservice is a DACH-region automotive workshop network concept operated by CENTRO GmbH & Co. KG, founded in 2000 in the wake of Bosch's exit from the free workshop partner market in 1999. The platform aggregates approximately 1,500 independent Kfz master workshops across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland under a single consumer-facing brand, supported by five regional automotive parts wholesalers — Coler, Knoll, Küblbeck, Lorch, and WM SE — that operate more than 100 support points and act as system providers for parts distribution, training, technical hotline, and centralized marketing.

The service catalog comprises 40+ offerings including HU/AU vehicle inspection, tire and rim service, brake service, oil change, climate control, E-Service for electric vehicles, fault diagnosis, accident repair, smart repair, axle measurement, glass service, transmission flushing, bodywork and painting, classic car maintenance, motorcycle service, and motorhome/transporter service, along with ancillary offerings such as fleet management, replacement vehicles, pick-up/delivery, repair financing, and vehicle warranties. Operations are standardized through manufacturer-specification service protocols using original or brand-quality replacement parts, supported by mobility guarantees tied to inspection services.

The business model is a franchise-like recurring partnership fee structure in which independent workshops pay for the right to operate under the 1a autoservice brand and receive centrally coordinated marketing, training, parts identification software, hotline support, and access to the system-provider wholesale network. End customers are primarily individual private vehicle owners, with a secondary fleet operator segment. Go-to-market relies on nationwide advertising in high-reach print (BILD) and online (autobild) channels, a seasonal '1a TIPPS' brochure, social media (Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter), and website-driven workshop finder and appointment booking. The network has won consecutive Deutscher Fairness-Preis awards (2017, 2019, 2020, 2021) for independent car workshops and launched a Digital-Offensive in 2022 focused on E-Mobility, sustainability, and workshop digitalization.

Name

1a autoservice

Legal name

CENTRO GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://1aautoservice.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

1a autoservice is a DACH automotive workshop concept system, operating as a brand and service network for approximately 1,500 independent Kfz master workshops across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, serving private vehicle owners and fleet operators with 40+ maintenance, repair, and inspection services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Freiburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Workshop Partnership Fees: Independent Kfz master workshops pay for the right to operate under the 1a autoservice brand and receive access to system support, marketing materials, training, and centralized services. The system providers (Coler, Knoll, Küblbeck, Lorch, WM SE) provide automotive parts wholesale services to the partner workshops.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

1a autoservice operates a multi-brand automotive workshop franchise concept through a network of approximately 1,500 independent Kfz master workshops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The network delivers vehicle services including HU/AU inspections, tire and rim services, brake service, oil changes, repair and maintenance, climate control, E-Service for electric vehicles, bodywork, accident repair, and fleet management, supported by centralized branding, marketing, training, and parts wholesale via five system providers.

Product overview

1a autoservice is a multi-brand workshop network concept offering comprehensive automotive maintenance and repair services through approximately 1,500 master workshops in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. The platform operates as a coordinated network of independent workshops supported by five system providers (Coler, Knoll, Küblbeck, Lorch, and WM SE) who provide coverage through over 100 support points. The core offering consists of over 40 distinct workshop services including vehicle inspection (HU/AU), tire and rim services, brake services, oil changes, climate control services, E-Service for electric vehicles, and specialized services like smart repair, accident repair, and classic car maintenance. The service portfolio extends to customer conveniences such as replacement vehicle provision, pick-up and delivery services, vehicle fleet management, and repair financing. The company also publishes seasonal promotional brochures under the '1a TIPPS' brand containing offers and educational content about vehicle maintenance. Services are performed according to manufacturer specifications using original or brand-quality replacement parts, with mobility guarantees accompanying inspections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 1a TIPPS: Seasonal promotional brochures containing offers, service information, and automotive tips published regularly for customers

Products and services

• HU / AU Vehicle Inspection Vehicle inspection (Hauptuntersuchung) and emissions testing (Abgasuntersuchung) conducted by external testing engineers from officially recognized monitoring organizations, verifying roadworthiness and exhaust emissions compliance for all vehicle makes.
• Tire & Rim Service Comprehensive tire and rim services including tire changes, wheel balancing, and seasonal tire swaps to ensure safe driving in all road conditions, offered across all partner workshops.
• Repair & Maintenance General vehicle repair and maintenance services covering all makes and models, positioning 1a autoservice workshops as the competent service provider for vehicles.
• Brake Service Brake system inspection, repair and replacement services including brake pads, brake discs, and brake fluid checks to ensure safe braking performance.
• Inspection & Mobility Guarantee Vehicle inspection services performed according to manufacturer specifications with original replacement parts, accompanied by mobility guarantees providing roadside assistance until the next inspection.
• Air Conditioning Service Climate control system maintenance including checking hose and compressor seals, refrigerant levels, component functions, and cabin filter cleaning and disinfection.
• E-Service (Electric Vehicle Service) Electric vehicle service and maintenance covering E-Mobility-specific needs as part of the company's digital offensive and focus on new vehicle technologies.
• Oil Change Service Engine oil and filter replacement service to maintain engine lubrication and performance across all vehicle makes.
• Fault Diagnosis Professional vehicle fault diagnosis using modern diagnostic equipment to identify and troubleshoot technical issues.
• Towing & Roadside Assistance Emergency towing and roadside assistance services for vehicles that cannot continue driving.
• Vehicle Fleet Service Fleet management and maintenance services for businesses with multiple vehicles, providing coordinated service and standardized quality across entire fleets.
• Axle Measurement (Wheel Alignment) Wheel alignment and axle measurement service to ensure proper vehicle handling and tire wear.
• Exhaust Service Exhaust system inspection, repair and replacement services.
• Auto Glass Service Windshield and auto glass repair and replacement services.
• Electrical / Battery Service Vehicle electrical system and battery testing, service and replacement including jump-start assistance.
• Diesel Service Diesel-specific vehicle maintenance and repair services.
• Bodywork & Painting Body repair and painting services for accident damage and cosmetic improvements.
• Accident Repair Complete accident damage repair services to restore vehicles to pre-accident condition.
• Smart Repair Small damage repair techniques for cost-effective cosmetic repairs without full panel work.
• Shock Absorbers & Chassis Service Suspension system inspection and repair including shock absorbers and chassis components.
• Motorcycle Service & Workshop Motorcycle maintenance and repair services offered through select partner workshops.
• Pick-up & Delivery Service Vehicle collection and delivery service for customer convenience during maintenance visits.
• Customer Replacement Vehicle Provision of replacement vehicles to customers during their vehicle's service period.
• Repair Financing Financing options for vehicle repairs to help customers manage repair costs.
• Motorhome & Transporter Service Specialized maintenance and repair services for motorhomes and commercial transporters.
• Classic & Vintage Cars Service Specialized service and maintenance for classic and vintage vehicles as well as younger classic cars.
• 1a TIPPS Seasonal Brochure Seasonal promotional brochure containing current offers for accessories and services along with informative articles about cars and road safety, published seasonally (spring, summer, autumn editions).

Quantifiable outcome

• Manufacturer warranty remains valid when services are performed according to manufacturer specifications with documentation
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ColercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2000System provider and marketing lead for 1a autoservice. Coler provides automotive parts wholesale distribution to partner workshops and handles central marketing coordination for the workshop network. Thomas Schmitz serves as marketing contact at Coler.
• KnollcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSystem provider supporting 1a autoservice partner workshops. Knoll GmbH provides automotive parts wholesale services and concept consulting. Mathias Dehn serves as concept consultant.
• KüblbeckcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSystem provider for 1a autoservice workshop network. Küblbeck GmbH & Co. KG provides automotive parts distribution and concept support services. Kurt Ellerbeck serves as concept consultant.
• LorchcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSystem provider for 1a autoservice workshop network, providing automotive parts wholesale and system support to partner workshops.
• WM SEcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSystem provider for 1a autoservice workshop network. WM SE provides automotive parts wholesale services and marketing support. Axel Birngruber represents WM SE in the marketing team.
• Local Newspapers and MagazinesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPress release distribution network. 1a autoservice provides pre-written press releases on seasonal topics (e.g., emissions stickers, tire specials) to local media outlets, which publish the content. Examples include articles on Autoglas, Gebrauchtwagensiegel, Originalteile, and more.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Driver Center: Driver Center is a German-based independent workshop franchise concept serving similar customer segments with multi-brand repair and maintenance. A smaller but directly comparable franchise workshop network competing in the DACH independent workshop space.
• Pit-Stop: Pit-Stop is a German tire and automotive service chain with a franchise workshop network. It competes head-to-head with 1a autoservice in multi-brand vehicle service, tire changes, and inspection offerings to German consumers.
• Vergölst: Vergölst is Continental's German workshop network offering tire service, inspection, and general repair through both company-owned and partner locations. It is a direct competitor leveraging Continental's tire/parts supply chain in the same way 1a autoservice leverages its five system providers.
• First Stop: First Stop is a European tire and automotive service franchise network with extensive German coverage. Similar franchise model, similar target customer (private vehicle owners), overlapping service portfolio with 1a autoservice workshops.
• Bosch Service: Bosch Service is a global workshop franchise concept originally evolved from Bosch's contract wholesaler relationships — the same lineage as 1a autoservice (born from Bosch's 1999 withdrawal). Comparable model: independent multi-brand workshops operating under a centralized brand with manufacturer-quality parts and training.
• Point S: Point S is an international cooperative/franchise network of independent tire and service workshops. Highly comparable franchise model: independent workshops branding under Point S, with central marketing, training, and procurement — directly analogous to 1a autoservice's Werkstattkonzept.
• A.T.U (Auto-Teile-Unger): A.T.U is Germany's largest multi-brand automotive service chain operating hundreds of workshops across the country. It is the most direct competitor to 1a autoservice's independent-workshop franchise concept, with overlapping service offerings (inspection, repair, tires) and a similar broad consumer fleet target.
• Euromaster: Euromaster is the Michelin-owned European tire and auto service network with extensive workshop coverage in Germany. Comparable to 1a autoservice in franchise-style workshop operations targeting private car owners and small fleets.

Broad incumbents

• Kwik-Fit: Kwik-Fit is one of Europe's largest automotive service chains (tires, brakes, exhaust, MOT) with extensive franchise and corporate locations in Germany. Comparable in target market and category breadth, though primarily corporate-owned rather than independent-workshop franchised.
• Carglass (Belron): Carglass is the Belron-owned auto glass repair and replacement franchise with major German market share. While automotive aftermarket rather than full-service repair, it competes for share of wallet on a key 1a autoservice service line (Autoglasservice) and shares a franchise-style partner network model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/1aautoservice
• TikToktiktok.com/@1aautoservice
• Xx.com/1aautoservice
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1a-autoservice

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about 1a autoservice