EXIST-Gründerstipen­dium: Classic-OBD

Project name

EXIST start-up grant: Classic-OBD

Project duration

01.12.2025 - 31.05.2027

Brief description

Interest in classic cars (vintage cars) has increased significantly among the population in recent years. There are many reasons for this. On the one hand, historic vehicles are increasingly taking on the function of an investment due to their stable value, and on the other hand, they serve as an individual status symbol for a clientele that is sometimes very wealthy. The maintenance of such vehicles is largely carried out by the owners themselves and specialist workshops. In contrast to modern motor vehicles, however, there are hardly any sensors or on-board diagnostic systems in classic vehicles, which makes troubleshooting and repairs much more difficult. In addition, classic cars often suffer fatal engine damage as drivers have unknowingly overloaded their vehicles, as important parameters such as engine speed or oil pressure cannot be recorded and displayed due to the lack of sensors. At the same time, increasing networking and data analysis can be observed in road traffic with the help of ubiquitous mobile data technology, from which the classic car sector has so far been excluded due to the lack of electronic systems.
To solve this problem, the founding team has developed an innovative modular diagnostic system for historic vehicles based on scientific findings and driven by their own negative experience with damage to historic engines. With the help of this system, sensors can be retrofitted into classic cars, whose measurement data can be transmitted wirelessly directly to mobile devices and evaluated and displayed in real time using an app. This involves the development of a new type of electronic measuring system, the programming of a special app and the design adaptation to the classic car sector. The founding team consists of Dipl.-Ing. Henry Kutz and Dipl.-Bw. (BA) Patrick Hohnetz and is supported by the idea generator Dipl.-Ing. Frank Hermsdorf. The founders can look back on extensive knowledge in the fields of engine analysis, measurement technology, mobile data acquisition and app development as well as many years of experience in marketing and sales in the real economy. In the extensive market analyses, no direct competitor with an identical product could be identified; there are only partial solutions that are not or only partially suitable for the classic car market. A total volume of at least 7.3 million vehicles worldwide has been identified for this market, with growth rates of up to 10% in the last 10 years. [VDA15] The actual market potential with the developed implementable price model is around €590 million in total
The planned business model comprises the sale of an innovative modular diagnostic tool for historic vehicles of all kinds and the evolution and continuous expansion of this tool to improve technical knowledge and the informational networking of owners. In parallel, a service company for the measurement of classic engines will be established, which will also serve to develop and validate the new tool and enable the testing of new mobile sensor technology.

Cooperation partner

• hoots classic GmbH, - (Germany)

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