Carro's 95,832 sq ft flagship refurbishment centre in USJ (nearly the size of two football fields) and a similar facility for used cars in Ulu Tiram, Johor are said to be the largest such facilities in South East Asia.
Carro's flagship refurbishment centre in USJ employs over 180 people including body and paint experts, mechanics and technicians.
Carro's body and paint unit uses only Nippon Paint, and the master trainer is Jumpei Yamamoto, an automotive paint specialist with 25 years of experience.
In a statement, the group said the inspection and refurbishment processes are bolstered by in-house patented technology including computer visioning and acoustic engineering.
The acoustic engineering technology is housed in an internal app, which contains a unique library of car engine sounds from multiple makes and models and is used to detect any potential engine issues.
Meanwhile, computer visioning is able to detect and provide insights into the slightest bumps, scrapes and other existing body anomalies.
At the heart of the 160-point inspection and refurbishment process is Carro Certified and myTukar Certified, for each used car that has been inspected and refurbished.
Not all cars get to be certified – only cars that pass the stringent 160-point inspection, have zero mileage tampering and have no major accident, fire and flood damage.
The 160-point inspection and refurbishment process encompasses several key steps: body and paintwork for exterior reconditioning, mechanical repairs (including on the engine, steering wheels, suspension, transmission, brake, gears and tyres), interior refurbishment (including electronic repairs, dashboard refurbishment, leather stitching, and headlining repair), and a final inspection and test drive.
The centre in USJ can refurbish up to 700 cars a month, and on average, it takes seven days to complete the refurbishment work on a car.
Carro CEO of international marketplace Fong Hon Sum says, “Our refurbishment centres underscore Carro and myTukar’s commitment to providing high-quality used cars that customers can trust. Carro Certified and myTukar Certified cars are testament to our dedication to stringent quality control and exceptional customer service, making used car buying a transparent, trustworthy experience.”
Carro vice president, international operations, Kyran Wong says “Our cutting-edge facilities are meant to enhance efficiency and quality within our processes. That way, our highly-certified inspectors, technicians, engineers, mechanics and paint experts can focus on what really matters – overseeing vehicles that ultimately meet world-class standards. Our technology and people, coupled with top-grade OEM products and equipment, are meant to help us deliver even more quality cars that we can personally sign off on.”
As of September 2023, the group has 14 refurbishment centres and workshops in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia with a combined maximum monthly capacity of 2,800 cars that can be refurbished and serviced.
The facilities will be rebranded to Carro Care in phases, as part of a strategic partnership with Jardine Cycle & Carriage.
“It was important for us to streamline and standardise all processes across Southeast Asia. I’m excited for our next steps with Carro Care, as we continue to scale up our refurbishment and aftersales capabilities with our partnership with Jardine Cycle & Carriage,” says Carro Co-founder and group CEO, Aaron Tan.
With inspections, refurbishment and aftersales services playing a key role in Carro’s and myTukar’s business propositions, Carro and myTukar are keen to scale up and streamline technical services.
Founded in 2015, Carro is Southeast Asia's largest online used car marketplace.
Carro is present in key markets across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Indonesia, and Thailand, and recently expanded its reach to Japan and Taiwan.
Headquartered in Singapore, the unicorn startup is supported by more than 4,500 employees across Asia-Pacific and has raised over S$700 million from Softbank Vision Fund and several sovereign funds.
Meanwhile, myTukar Powered by Carro is the fastest growing digital pre-owned car ecosystem in Malaysia and offers dealership programmes, financing, insurance and servicing.
Since its inception in 2017, myTukar has grown to encompass over 2,600 registered dealerships, 10 retail experience centres, 23 inspection centres, 5 workshops and 2 refurbishment centres in Malaysia.
