Astara: These are the plans for the future
BRAND DIVERSITY The logistics and shipping company Astara only started its car business in 1979. Today it distributes Abarth, Aiways, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Hyundai, Jeep, Maxus, Nissan and Ssangyong in Switzerland.
Worldwide, Astara is by no means a newcomer, with branches in 20 countries on three continents and 4500 employees. With more than 230,000 vehicles sold in 2022, the Spanish company is aiming for annual sales of 5.5 billion euros.
Jorge Navea, CEO Astara: "We see further business areas and have therefore been working with the US software provider Salesforce since 2015. That's why we can grow profitably and align our strategy with what our clientele wants. Salesforce has made this journey possible for us."
Move as a new flexible subscription offer
Nicolas Carbonell, Marketing Director of Astara Mobility Switzerland AG: "Switzerland is ideal for implementing new mobility ideas. All vehicle distribution is already done via the Salesforce ecosystem for all brands in the Astara portfolio."
With Astara Move, the company is launching a flexible subscription offer that adapts to the constantly changing needs of its customers. In addition, the Spanish company will soon be offering a new online shopping experience in a completely digital environment with the Astara Store.
Astara sales are to be distributed differently worldwide in the future. In 2015, 25 percent was still generated in Europe and 75 percent in South America; in three years' time, the Spaniards' more than 30 car brands are to contribute 45 percent of sales in Europe, with a further 45 percent earmarked for South America and ten percent for the rest of the world.
Partnership with Swiss dealers
Nicolas Carbonell: "As an importer, we aim to partner with dealers in Switzerland and do not want to push digital showrooms or sales via VR glasses. To this end, Astara is not aiming for a linear sales system, but rather an ecosystem around mobility in which customers benefit from apps or from networking with other mobility offerings. We also still want to have garages that take care of customers' concerns and repairs."
Every customer contact is also an opportunity to offer additional services or perhaps even bring the customer closer to a new car. In any case, the Spaniards want to continue growing - by three years, the company is aiming for a market share of 15 percent in this country.
