Pioneering the electric pathway – fostering electric car partnerships at MEKO: “Create value for all parties”

At MEKO, the agenda for electrification is not just about adapting to new technology – it is a strive to enable a shift in the sector. This thought process is driven by strong partnerships, growth-focused strategies, and enhanced competence, serving to reinforce MEKO's strategy for the future.

November 2023 witnessed a landmark moment for MEKO, announcing that it had agreed to partner with ZEEKR and entered into an agreement in principle with HiPhi. This aligns with the company’s aim to be the partner of choice for innovative electric car manufacturers looking to establish themselves in our markets. 

“These partnerships are a testament to the high knowledge level and scalability within MEKO’s network and this will benefit our existing partners, participating workshops, and the car owners,” says Oskar Gibas Hjertquist, Head of International Sales at MEKO.

This means that several of MEKO's workshops in Northern Europe will be authorised to perform service, repair, and maintenance for ZEEKR, as well as handle warranty issues. For HiPhi, the ambition is to establish MEKO as a complete aftersales partner, including authorised workshop services and spare part logistics.

ZEEKR is a premium segment electric car that is being widely launched in Europe. HiPhi is an automotive brand of Human Horizons, a global company focused on revolutionizing the future of mobility experiences. 

Back in 2021, MEKO announced an additional partnership with a high-potential EV manufacturer – this time Fisker, an innovative US-based automotive company. Earlier in 2024, MEKO began providing Fisker owners with access to its workshops and a range of after-sales services in Sweden.

“These partnerships create added value for all parties and form a key component of their offering, allowing them to leverage our local expertise to deliver excellence to their customers,” says Oskar.

MEKO Academy encourages continuous learning and delivers on in-demand expertise 

Another focus area for MEKO is its academies in each market, which ensure that all branches and warehouses maintain high technological capabilities and meet new requirements and increasing demands. To date, they have trained over 7,000 technicians in electric cars. 

“The basic training is about ensuring the safety of our employees and partners. We also offer more advanced training, like de-powering the entire car and replacing the high voltage battery or other components. The training is very popular among technicians in all our markets,” says Oskar. 

“Last year, Promeister, one of MEKO’s premium brands and a leading provider of automotive training, showcased an old internal combustion engine vehicle, which regularly uses fuel that combusts inside a chamber with the help of an oxidizer that had been transformed into an electric car powertrain. The whole replacement was done by high school students from one of the educational programs we support.” 

Additional efforts to increase service levels and make electric cars more attractive  

Initiating partnerships with electric car manufacturers and raising the level of in-house expertise at MEKO’s affiliated workshops is about broadening the public’s access to workshops and guaranteeing a top-tier customer offering.

However, the road to electrification is not without hurdles. A long-standing issue for the sector has been the scarcity and limited supply of spare parts. In response, MEKO has intensified its efforts to further expand the supply and increase the availability of spare parts to EVs across its warehouses.

“For us, this is key. We maintain close cooperation with our suppliers to encourage them to deliver on this promise,” Oskar says, and adds:

“Our data-driven approach allows us to anticipate and cater to present and future demands for specific spare parts. By investing in this area, we can meet shifting demands and further facilitate the industry’s transformation.”