SK Networks' automotive division launches as SK SpeedMate

South Korea's SK Networks Co. completed a split-off of its automotive maintenance division, which has now launched as a new company named SK Speedmate, effective September 1.

This move is part of the company's strategy to enhance its after-sales service (AS) sector by enabling more independent and rapid decision-making processes.

SK Networks plans to spin off its trading division to redefine it as an intermediate holding company focused on artificial intelligence (AI) business operations.

SK Speedmate operates more than 590 service centers and offers services, including vehicle maintenance, emergency roadside assistance, and tire and parts distribution.

The company intends to leverage over 20 years of accumulated data to expand partnership services, enhance its online-to-offline (O2O) offerings, and develop customer-centric hybrid stores.

Moreover, through its integrated imported car platform, Huckleberry Pro, SK Speedmate plans to expand its business in distributing parts for imported cars and repairing accident-damaged vehicles.

It also explores various new business opportunities. A representative example is the nighttime maintenance service, 'Moonlight Maintenance,' which SK Speedmate launched on August 26.

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com