Keep the Car in Shape using It to a Good Auto Repair Facility
If you see fewer auto repair shops near you then you are witnessing a trend that is spreading throughout the auto repair industry. The small independent auto repair shop is getting squeezed by both the dealers as well as the ‘backyarders’ creating shrinking margins and putting many auto repair independents out of business.
The global problem is the auto repair and service market has been shrinking in the last 10 or 15 years. Technology has made cars much more reliable with fewer breakdowns, repairs and scheduled maintenances.
Many manufacturers offer getting 100,000 mile warranty relating to this the independent will get little chance to handle that car for the first 5-10 years it is owned.
As new car sales margins have gone down, VW, Chevrolet, Toyota and other manufacturers are seeking to their service departments to make up the difference.
Additionally many dealers such as Porsche and Saab in order to adding other value added benefits such as the loaner car while repairs are being made. Independents are now being forced to give courtesy rides to customers in hard work to keep up with the dealers since customers now expect this service.
Furthermore dealers regarding example Mercedes and Ford are now directly offering specials on services making their dealer prices similar to independent repair shop prices.
But it’s simply competitive pricing that’s the worrying the independents.
The battle for skilled labor is also being won together with dealers: the dealers constantly competed for skilled labor and now have become even more aggressive. With fewer right now entering the auto repair profession and opting instead for careers regarding example health and technology, the total talent pool of the most skilled auto technicians is shrinking.
Increasingly it becoming tougher for independents to work with and retain these competent employees. The automotive technician, would you rather work in Audi or Joe’s House?
The dealers are picking up the best ‘mechanics’ or as might known today, ‘technicians.’ Top-notch end dealer technician may well $100,000 a whole year with benefits while an unbiased shop owner would have to gross within the $1,000,000 twelve months to make that and have to obtain their own benefits and social equity.
Because of these economic realities many independent owners are at this moment closing their shops on and on to enhance GM, Nissan and other dealers.
This puts the independent auto mechanic at a definite disadvantage when diagnosing and repairing difficult drivability, fuel injection, electronic and computer related rrssues.
Additionally, if a diagnosis is comprised and a portion needs replacing the dealer will buy it in stock, not only verifying the diagnosis but greatly speeding within the repair along with increasing service delivery. Big advantage Cadillac and Bmw.
But it isn’t just a skilled employee struggle. Techs cannot fix cars without information and you’ll find a long and ongoing dispute between the dealers/manufacturers and independents over technical information access and diagnostic equipment.
The manufacturers claim their technical results are proprietary in terms of independents claim the information should be for sale to anyone who owns or fixes create of motor.
Excel Auto Repair & Sales
94 E Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth, MA 02536
(508) 444-2777