India’s automotive aftermarket is vast, complex, and often overlooked. While the numbers are staggering, over 260 million two-wheelers and 50 million four-wheelers on the road, the heart of this ecosystem beats inside the modest garages run by local mechanics. These small workshops, often tucked away in the corners of bustling cities or lining the roads of tier-3 towns, keep the nation moving despite limited tools, uncertain supply chains, and unpredictable costs.
“Every Indian knows the corner mechanic who keeps their scooter or bike running, often with limited tools, uncertain supply, and unpredictable prices,” says Vishal Dubey, Founder & CEO of Partnr. “That mechanic is the backbone of a market valued at more than $12 billion across two-wheelers and four-wheelers. But beyond the numbers, this market is about livelihoods and dignity. They are the unsung heroes of our mobility ecosystem.”
For Vishal, the opportunity in this sector extends far beyond the sale of spare parts. It’s about reimagining the profession, solving the trust deficit, and enabling mechanics to thrive economically. Partnr, was founded to address precisely this challenge.
Building Scale, Building Trust
Partnr today operates across 30 cities, supported by nearly 100 dark stores designed to guarantee that mechanics have access to critical parts within two hours. The company has already won the trust of 40,000 mechanics and workshops, ranging from cramped alleys of Delhi to repair shops in small towns.
“Today, nearly 40,000 mechanics and workshops trust us, from small garages in Delhi’s alleys to workshops in tier-3 towns,” he explains. “For them, we’re not just a supplier, but a partner who makes sure their work never stops.”
The company’s rapid scaling underscores a deeper mission: not just supplying parts, but empowering mechanics with reliability, speed, and dignity in their work.
Challenges in the Aftermarket
India’s after-sales ecosystem faces a mix of structural and operational challenges. Counterfeit products, inconsistent service quality, and fragile supply chains are among the most pressing issues.
“Imagine a mechanic promising a customer a two-hour repair, but then waiting two days for a part, that’s the reality we are fixing,” he points out. “The challenges are deep-rooted: counterfeit products destroy trust, skill gaps lead to fitment errors, supply delays lose customers, and small workshops run on wafer-thin margins. This is the daily struggle.”
How Partnr is Fixing the System
Partnr has positioned itself around three non-negotiables: trust, quality, and speed. Every part is sourced directly from authorised suppliers, catalogued precisely to match vehicle models, and delivered within hours.
“At Partnr, our promise is simple: genuine parts, in the right hands, at the right time,” he says. “Our hyperlocal hubs deliver within two hours, so no mechanic loses business and no customer waits too long. And with our private label spares like engine oil, brake shoes, clutch plates, and filters, we ensure both quality and fair pricing.”
By controlling quality through its own branded products, Partnr reduces dependence on fragmented supply chains while giving mechanics reliable margins.
Strengthening Small-Town Service
Much of India’s mobility depends on tier-2 and tier-3 towns, where access to reliable spare parts and skilled servicing is often weakest. Partnr has placed special focus here, building hyperlocal inventory hubs and training frameworks for mechanics.
“Smaller towns are the heart of India’s mobility, but often the weakest link in reliable servicing,” he observes. “For many mechanics in these towns, what used to mean shutting shop for a day now takes just hours. That’s a transformational change.”
Through standardised playbooks, mechanic meets, and local franchise empowerment, the company ensures consistent service even in regions with limited infrastructure.
Scaling and Diversification
Partnr is far from slowing down. Over the next 12–24 months, the company plans to expand to 50+ cities, enter the four-wheeler aftermarket, and grow its private-label product portfolio. It is also piloting D2C doorstep servicing, allowing riders to book mechanics through its app for home or on-the-go repairs.
“Our ambition is to make Partnr the go-to growth platform for every mechanic,” he shares. “Whether fixing a scooter in Kanpur or a car in Chennai, we want to be the backbone that powers their growth.”
Tackling Counterfeits and Building Trust
Counterfeit parts remain a dangerous problem, risking both lives and livelihoods. For Partnr, eliminating this threat is non-negotiable.
“Counterfeits don’t just hurt mechanics, they risk lives,” he stresses. “Every part we provide comes from authorised suppliers or our own private label. With transparent pricing, digital traceability, warranties, and easy returns, we make authenticity certain. Trust is the foundation of our business.”
Technology as the Invisible Mechanic
Technology plays a crucial role in Partnr’s model, from ensuring precision-fit parts to enabling seamless digital ordering and payments. The company envisions a future where mechanics aren’t just suppliers of labor but digitally empowered entrepreneurs.
“Technology is the invisible mechanic in our business,” he says. “It ensures the right part fits the right vehicle, keeps pricing transparent, and enables doorstep service with just a tap. The future isn’t just about parts, it’s about giving every mechanic a digital backbone to grow and thrive.”
Looking Beyond India
While international expansion is on the horizon, Vishal emphasizes that India’s aftermarket still holds enormous depth and complexity. Only after consolidating here will Partnr look at comparable markets abroad.
“The issues of supply, trust, and speed are not unique to India,” he notes. “A mechanic in Jakarta or Nairobi faces the same struggles as one in Jaipur. Once we’ve proven our model fully in India, global expansion will be the logical next step.”
“Partnr started with one belief: the people who keep India moving deserve better,” he reflects. “Every delivery made, every part fitted, every rider satisfied takes us closer to a future where mechanics are empowered, customers are confident, and India’s after-sales industry stands tall with dignity.”
