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 along with the ‘backyarders’ creating shrinking margins and putting many auto repair independents out of business.
The global problem may be the auto repair and service market has been shrinking in the last ten or fifteen years. Technology has made cars much more reliable with fewer breakdowns, repairs and scheduled maintenances.
Many manufacturers offer the latest 100,000 mile warranty particular person yourself the independent will get little chance to work on that car for the most important 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 along the difference.
Additionally many dealers such as Porsche and Saab in order to adding other value added benefits such as a loaner car while repairs are being made. Independents are now being forced to give courtesy rides to customers in an effort to keep with the dealers since customers now expect this service.
Furthermore dealers with regard to Mercedes and Ford are now directly offering specials on services making their dealer prices in order to independent repair shop prices.
But it’s as well as competitive pricing is actually worrying the independents.
The battle for skilled labor all means being won through dealers: the dealers often competed for skilled labor and will have become a great deal more aggressive. With fewer right now entering effect on repair profession and opting instead for careers regarding example health and technology, essential talent pool of the most skilled auto technicians is shrinking.
Increasingly around the globe becoming more difficult for independents to utilize and retain these highly skilled employees. Regarding automotive technician, would you rather work for Audi or Joe’s House?
The dealers are collecting the best ‘mechanics’ or as may well known today, ‘technicians.’ A top end dealer technician may well make $100,000 a year with benefits while an unbiased shop owner would have to gross over a $1,000,000 twelve months to make that and have absolutely to purchase their own benefits and social basic safety.
Because the hands down economic realities many independent owners are usually closing their shops and going to be suitable for GM, Nissan and other dealers.
This puts the independent auto mechanic shop at a distinct disadvantage when diagnosing and repairing difficult drivability, fuel injection, electronic and computer related injuries.
Additionally, if a diagnosis is comprised and an area needs replacing the dealer will buy it in stock, not only verifying the verification but greatly speeding up the repair period and increasing customer care. Big advantage Cadillac and Rolls royce.
But it’s not just a skilled employee showdown. Techs cannot fix cars without information and love a long and ongoing dispute from the dealers/manufacturers and independents over technical information access and diagnostic tools.
The manufacturers claim that the technical results are proprietary while independents claim the information should be around to anyone who owns or fixes create of automobile.
Excel Auto Repair & Sales
94 E Falmouth Hwy, East Falmouth, MA 02536
(508) 444-2777