ARBÖ had 102.000 breakdown calls

The ARBÖ breakdown assistants were often called upon last year: in total, they were called to 102.000 missions across Austria to get defective vehicles back on the road. This worked perfectly, as Gerald Kumnig, ARBÖ General Secretary, knows: “In most cases, we were able to repair the defect on the spot and thus enable our members to continue their journey quickly. We only towed the vehicles away if the repairs couldn't be carried out at the scene.” On average, the roadside helpers were called out 280 times a day, which meant around every five minutes by calling the breakdown emergency number 1-2-3 or using the ARBÖ app assistance was requested.

The short waiting time in the event of a breakdown was also pleasing in 2023. Thanks to an efficient and continuously optimized communication chain between the call center, operations centers and ARBÖ technicians, the average waiting time from the breakdown to arrival at the scene of the breakdown in 2023 was only around 38 minutes. The top three most common reasons for use were failing batteries, followed by electronic problems and mechanical problems. The ARBÖ breakdown drivers were particularly in demand during the holiday season: the busiest months were July with around 3 missions and August with around 9.200 assistance services. “A functioning breakdown service provides an indispensable service in road traffic because we not only help members quickly in an emergency, but the rapid action of our breakdown fleet also makes an important contribution to road safety,” says Gerald Kumnig, drawing a positive conclusion.

But not only on the road, numerous technical services were also carried out by technicians last year in the 90 ARBÖ test centers: The §400.000a assessment, which was carried out a total of 57 times, was particularly well received by the 197.000 members. “At ARBÖ, the §57a assessment is carried out independently of the brand and without any interest in repairs. “This number shows how much our members value the brand-independent expertise of the ARBÖ technicians,” says Gerald Kumnig, explaining the reasons for the positive annual balance in the Pickerl inspections. But not only the §57a assessment, but also chassis measurement (9.200) and air conditioning maintenance (8.000) are gladly accepted. “Our employees will continue to be well prepared for our members and customers in 2024 and will help quickly, competently and solution-oriented in emergency situations,” concludes Gerald Kumnig.