Elk Grove-based Alldata LLC has already blanketed much of North America with auto repair information.
Next stop: Europe.
The local company, a subsidiary of Memphis-based AutoZone Inc., on Wednesday announced its plans to enter the European market.
Founded in 1986, Alldata mainly provides automakers' service and repair information, shop management software and other services to the auto service industry. It has more than 80,000 automotive repair shop subscribers.
Alldata said it has hired three industry experts – Uli Zehnpfennig, Michael Stopka and Michael Krampe from the European core management team for Alldata's European launch in Cologne, Germany. All three have held management positions with TecDoc, the international vehicle information network.
AutoZone spokesman Ray Pohlman said the first phase of Alldata's European rollout will begin in fall 2012. He said that might produce some additional jobs in Elk Grove, but it was too early to speculate on the number. He said Alldata currently employs 385.
"Alldata's European market entry is an exciting next step in the evolution of Alldata and in the use of technical information in the European aftermarket," said Bill Rhodes, AutoZone's chairman. "This new venture will focus on delivering high- quality technical data directly from the manufacturing source using Alldata's intuitive common user interface supported by their industry-leading customer support."
As in North America, Alldata's European information from original vehicle manufacturers will be available online.
Alldata believes its presence will meet significant demand in European auto repair shops.
"With Alldata, technicians will have the ability to verify their work was completed according to manufacturers' specifications," said Zehnpfennig, managing director of Alldata Germany GmbH.
Alldata's North American database contains more than 22,000 engine-specific vehicles dating from the 1982 model year to now.
For more information, visit www.alldataeurope.com.
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