BMW Group UK has teamed with SaaS ecommerce platform BigCommerce’s technology partner Autofixa Solutions to simplify parts sourcing and purchasing for customers.

BigCommerce said it was approached by BMW Group UK to launch new stores for both the BMW and MINI brands, featuring ERP integrations that sync inventory supplies and pricing data directly with the stores. The store will primarily serve consumers, but business customers also use it as an alternative for locating and purchasing specific parts.

“BigCommerce provided the necessary tools, infrastructure and support to ensure BMW Group’s stores would be successful,” said Graham Broughton, co-founder and CEO of Autofixa. “The scalability of its platform ensures it can handle rapid growth, while its partner network provides access to experts in various e-commerce areas.”

BigCommerce said it would enable the car maker to increase its product ranges and categories, add additional functionality such as pay-over-time options and improve the overall customer shopping experience.

“The BigCommerce platform and Autofixa’s innovative marketplace technology combined to create impressive new BMW and MINI storefronts, which were up and running quickly after the project started,” said Mark Adams, senior vice president and general manager of EMEA at BigCommerce. “BMW Group UK now has a platform that can scale with its growth and deliver an exceptional customer experience.”

The news comes six years after BMW first started online parts sales when it launched its first digital shop for customers to purchase BMW and Mini parts, accessories and lifestyle products through signing in to their myBMW account.

Sportscar brand Lotus last year also launched a new online retail platform to sell parts, accessories and consumables directly to consumers.

BMW Group UK joins a growing group of automotive merchants on the BigCommerce platform, including BB Wheels, Brock’s Performance and Van Cafe.

Glovebox Direct has also developed an online parts buying solution, selling manufacturer branded parts on behalf of seven marques - Toyota, Nissan, Lexus, Suzuki, Peugeot, Citroen and Renault at its launch in 2019