Simply how much Integrity Does Your Auto Repair Shop Have?
If you see fewer auto repair shops towards 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 along with the ‘backyarders’ creating shrinking margins and putting many auto repair independents out of economic.
The global problem may be 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 kind 100,000 mile warranty meaning that the independent will get little chance to work with that car for the most important 5-10 years it is owned.
As new car sales margins go down, VW, Chevrolet, Toyota and other manufacturers are looking to their service departments to make up the difference.
Additionally many dealers such as Porsche and Saab happen to adding other useful benefits such being a loaner car while repairs are being made. Independents are forced to give courtesy rides to customers in a shot to keep with the dealers since customers now expect this service.
Furthermore dealers for Mercedes and Ford are now directly offering specials on services making their dealer prices comparable to independent repair shop prices.
But it’s and not just competitive pricing naturally worrying the independents.
The battle for skilled labor all means being won together with dealers: the dealers often competed for skilled labor and will have become significantly more aggressive. With fewer folks entering significantly repair profession and opting instead for careers like health and technology, essential talent pool of the most skilled auto technicians is shrinking.
Increasingly it is becoming harder for independents to work with and retain these highly skilled employees. Being an automotive technician, would you rather appeal to Audi or Joe’s House?
The dealers are selecting the best ‘mechanics’ or as might known today, ‘technicians.’ Top-notch end dealer technician actually make $100,000 a year with benefits while an independent shop owner would to be able to gross over a $1,000,000 1 yr to make that as well as have to obtain their own benefits and social safe practices.
Because of these economic realities many independent owners are now closing their shops on and on to work for GM, Nissan and other dealers.
This puts the independent auto repair shop at a distinct disadvantage when diagnosing and repairing difficult drivability, fuel injection, electronic and computer related rrssues.
Additionally, if a diagnosis is comprised and a part needs replacing the dealer will are in stock, not only verifying diagnosing but greatly speeding increase the repair and also increasing customer care. Big advantage Cadillac and Rolls royce.
But it is not just a skilled employee struggle. Techs cannot fix cars without information and there has been a long and ongoing dispute with the dealers/manufacturers and independents over technical information access and diagnostic tools.
The manufacturers claim that their technical information is proprietary individuals independents claim the information should be for sale to anybody that owns or fixes build of motor.
Excel Auto Repair & Sales
94 E Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth, MA 02536
(508) 444-2777
