Blog
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3/9/2025
How much does a car really cost?List Price vs. “Piece-by-Piece” Cost When we buy a new car, the price we see at the dealership tells only part of the story.
A city car starts at around €15,000, a mid-size sedan ranges between €30,000 and €40,000, and a premium model easily exceeds €60,000. These retail prices are made possible by economies of scale, highly efficient assembly lines, and supply chains capable of delivering millions of components.
But what would happen if, instead of buying a complete car, we tried to build one by purchasing only original spare parts individually?Numbers speak for themselves:
Total amount: €80,000 – €100,000 to rebuild a car that costs €25,000 when purchased new. Some case studies even estimate multipliers of up to ten times the original price. Why does this happen?
In short: buying a new car is far more cost-effective than rebuilding it piece by piece. And it is precisely this mechanism that makes spare parts and the aftermarket a strategic source of profitability for manufacturers. What if this same logic applied to industrial machinery and processing machines?The automotive industry teaches us a simple principle: the value of a product does not end with the sale. It continues to generate margins over time through its lifecycle, spare parts, and service.
Many manufacturers of automated machinery and processing machines, however, still focus almost exclusively on the initial sales price, underestimating the true potential of the aftermarket.
Applying the automotive logic would deliver significant benefits:Consistent revenue streams: every spare part sold not only generates higher margins than the complete machine, but also ensures recurring revenue. This business model reduces dependence on new orders and helps stabilize profitability over time.
Lifecycle value enhancement: easily accessible spare parts and fast, reliable service bring more reliability to the eyes of customers. This increases their likelihood of buying again from the same supplier. In other words, aftersales becomes a powerful driver of customer loyalty.
Predictability and planning: monitoring and managing spare parts enables man
ufacturers to forecast future demand, optimize inventory levels, reduce obsolescence, and plan production more effectively.
Competitive advantage: in saturated and highly competitive markets, offering a clear, professional service experience is a stronger differentiator than simply competing on purchase price.
A value-driven ecosystem: machine builders do not sell just a product—they enter their customers’ factories. Providing support, upgrades, and spare parts transforms the manufacturer from a simple “equipment supplier” into a strategic partner.
Digital tools that make this transformation possibleTo turn these benefits into reality, manufacturers need digital platforms and solutions that structure aftersales operations with the same logic adopted in the automotive sector:
In conclusion, the automotive example clearly shows that spare parts and aftersales are not a cost, but a strategic asset.
Bringing this logic to automated machinery and supporting it with the right digital tools opens the door to new margins, stronger customer loyalty, and a more sustainable and competitive business model.
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When we buy a new car, the price we see at the dealership tells only part of the story.
A city car starts at around €15,000, a mid-size sedan ranges between €30,000 and €40,000, and a premium model easily exceeds €60,000.
These retail prices are made p
3D spare parts catalogs: the future of after-sales is already here. More intuitive, integrated, and faster. Fewer errors, greater efficiency.
An agricultural equipment manufacturer transformed its after-sales service from a cost centre into a strategic lever by introducing a B2B spare parts portal with an interactive catalogue. Even in a year of crisis, spare parts continued to grow,
Investing in after-sales and spare parts service: advantages for manufacturing companies
The agricultural machinery sector is going through a complex phase, marked by a significant decline in the sales of new equipment, alongside a steady growth in the after-sales and spare parts segment. This transformation is rewarding companies that have
Investing in after-sales and spare parts brings strategic advantages: it generates recurring revenue, increases margins, and builds customer loyalty. Digitizing service with interactive portals and smart assistance improves efficiency, reduces operating
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