FIT Auto, a car-care business arm of PTT Plc, which is the country's national oil and gas conglomerate, now sells its products and services on an online marketplace because the company is encouraged by the growth potential of e-commerce.
The company is keen on Lazada, a subsidiary of Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group. Customers can not only order lubricants, tyres and other auto parts, but also book auto care services from FIT Auto.
The company's e-commerce channel is available at 16 branches in Bangkok and surrounding provinces, with plans to expand to 11 more locations in several provinces by early next year.
Buranin Rattanasombat, executive vice-president of lubricants business, said e-commerce is popular in Thailand because it is convenient.
The Electronic Transactions Development Agency projects Thailand's e-commerce market in 2017 will be worth 2.52 trillion baht, up 12.4% from 2016.
"We teamed up with Lazada because it is one of the strong online platforms in Thailand and most Thais can access it," he said.
"Last year sales of automotive products on Lazada recorded sharp growth, as there were many sellers and massive stock kept at its warehouse. More auto products were added to provide a variety in order to meet buyers' demands."
Mr Buranin said the company conducted a trial period on Lazada, generating sales of roughly 5 million baht over the past 10 months.
He said FIT Auto and Lazada have developed a new service called service booking module (SBM) that has been available since early October. The service offers online booking in advance for appointments and follow-up concerning car care.
"PTT will commit more to the development of SBM next year, integrating this platform by allowing the choice of date, time and branch, as well as increasing connections between staff and customers, such as providing notifications," said Mr Buranin.
FIT Auto was launched in 2014 to provide light maintenance for vehicles, formerly known as PROCheck at PTT petrol stations.
PTT defines FIT Auto as one-stop-service car care, expecting to expand the company to 100 branches by 2021.
