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Will the EV cars take away business? Let's rethink this

Joe Marconi
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Eric Roberts Apprentice

Eric Roberts

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Hi I pretty much agree with you all. From a UK prospective then we have all the same problems but on a smaller scale. People live in old Victorian streets or high rise flats and will not get the same service from charging points .Another good point is the fact that the electric cars will still be part of a mix of technologies. it will be up to us to dictate what parts of the car we wish to repair or service. We made a bold decision a few years ago to pass onto a specialist any engine problems. We were spending too much time and never got the real profit margins. Now we get a trade price and have an add on amount to the customer. This frees us up for the more profitable jobs. Well the electric cars will be the same. Also the owner of the Teslas here in the UK are the same guys who bought Mercs and larger BMW,s ! Its a prestige car at the moment.

Thanks for a great topic Eric www.pellonautocentre.com

 

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First, let me say that I think EVs are here to stay, but just as a hammer isn't the only tool in your tool box, neither will EV's be alone.   Adoption Barriers:   Amongst the many single family h

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I have found so many good posts in this community.  I love the fact that is this site categorizes different subject matter.  Keep up the good work, Joe! J. Larry Bloodworth /larrybloodworth@gmail

Eric Roberts Apprentice

Eric Roberts

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Hi Thanks fir that! Electric cars a well in the minority however they are slowly creeping up in numbers. I think car manufacturers are getting huge back handers to develop these things. The clean air brigade are fuelling the desire of  power hungry politicians to achieve a carbon zero climate by 2030. However this has been interrupted by spike in electricity costs and the government are having to rethink. My small town ,Halifax is as old as the hills and will never accommodate charging points to charge all the electric cars that are desired and regular car owning people dont want them anyway, they are a rich mans toy at the moment and lets hope they stay that way! Only time will tell and I am running out of that > 

Eric Roberts Apprentice

Eric Roberts

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Hi Thanks for that ! There is a report about the whole false agenda coming out shortly about how we have been sold false facts. It is in PDF form and based on the whole UK governments own facts and figures. I will pass this on when I get the online copy. There is an uprising against this in the UK !Thank goodness. Eric Roberts  

Eric Roberts Apprentice

Eric Roberts

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Hi many of us in the \UK think it will be the death of the independent small garages that we all know today. We are now  starting to fight the transition as it will cost millions of jobs as the work is passed around the large franchises. The rest will be fighting for the scraps. They did this to our "corner shops" . All were owned and run as  a small family business. The supermarkets opened up down the same road and closed them down. Then a year or so later the big supermarkets opened up on the exact same site as the old closed down corner shops. A well executed and coordinated plan. Now they have a new enemy called Amazon. I am sure you are aware of them! Something similar will happen to the small family run garages if we dont start to fight this. Thats my opinion for what its worth Eric Roberts

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Transmission Repair Experienced

Transmission Repair

Posted
Posted
12 hours ago, Joe Marconi said:

You bring a grim perspective, but much appreciated.  When you think of the political push for EVs., it makes one wonder, what is the actual agenda?  EVs, and all so-called green engery, is big business, which means money is to be made. The question is, as you say, will the smaller shops be left with the scraps? 

Joe,

Remember the last time our Democratic White House enacted laws to tell us what we should be driving?

Cash For Clunkers?  It rated right up there with hurricane flood cars.  Both were "great plans."  Neither one worked. 😞

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jamcneely Newbie

jamcneely

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Posted

I own a 2020 Performance Model 3 as my commuter and it works very well for me. It's smooth, stupid fast, incredible sound system, etc. I absolutely love the car! I ate up a set of tires in 9K miles in which Michelin pro-rated so it only cost about $500. It seems that auto crossing your daily is not the best idea. But damn it was fun and impressive! It amazes me how well technology keeps us safe. The car makes you feel like you can do no wrong, pretty cool yet scary! I feel bad for this generation of drivers and the other drivers (us) around them considering the differences between my 71 Nova in high school and this Model 3. 

I have a Tesla charger at home and at the shop using 220 which takes about 5 hours to charge. I have solar on my house and battery back up. I live in far Northern California and unfortunately our wonderful governor (Gruesome) is most likely going to start taxing my car, my solar and attach a meter to my well and charge me for water. Gruesome is a huge backer of all this EV nonsense and says by 2035 there will be no more ICE's sold in Ca. He also had the nerve to tell EV owners to NOT charge our cars because the grid can't handle it. WTF? LOL!!!!!! I also own a 2016 Tundra and a Miata I use for racing so I feel I'm kinda evening out my carbon footprint.

We have a couple customers with EV's at the shop however other than tire rotation and alignments we haven't done much yet. I am looking forward to working on them, well having my son work on them. My dad got out of the tech side in the early 90's when carburetors went out and EFI came in. I took over as the drivability tech at that time and then the business in 2016. Now my son is that guy! We have been in business 55 years as of 2023 and my boys are 4th generation here.

I believe the US political money mongers feel better that we drill for oil and take from the ground all of the things we need in third world countries as opposed to ours because out of sight out of mind.

There needs to be a mix of ICE, hybrids, EV's, hydrogen, etc. to make this all work but there's always gonna be the one stickler group that'll throw a wrench in the whole thing.

Thanks guys I really enjoy reading these posts.

 

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Eric Roberts Apprentice

Eric Roberts

Posted
Posted

Hi firstly could I apologise for my delay in answering! Unfortunately my wife has been taken ill and is in hospital at the moment!

In answer to jamcneely then he has given almost a perfect reply. 1st point: He is using one to get about town in where their will be plenty of charging stations. More importantly he is using his own electric supplied by his solar battery bank. There will be people and places where an electric car makes sense to own and yours looks perfect for the purpose. Like you I also think that the EV will be part of the big mix of fuels at the end of the day. However, I believe that the electric car service and repairs side will be steered towards the main dealers and the small/medium garages will slowly be depleted of work. The world order is for !bigger is better" now matter where you live in this crazy world.

The second half of my reply also relates to the reply by Joe Marconi.

Many thanks Eric Roberts

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Eric Roberts Apprentice

Eric Roberts

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the great reply! However I dont think we have had a threat as great as the EV in the past. We are resilient but more an more fall by the wayside. Time alone will tell and that's something I dont have a great deal of, so perhaps I worry too much ? 

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  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
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      The Technician Shortage Is Our Fault, And It's Time We Own It
      Nearly every day, I hear shop owners complain: "There's a technician shortage. We can't find qualified people. There's no one out there." If that's true, then who's to blame?
      The industry? The schools? The government? I don't know how you feel, but who promised us an endless supply of qualified technicians?
      Another common complaint is that young people do not want to work in the trades. Well, if that were true, then why are other trades such as HVAC, electrical, and plumbing growing? What are they doing that the automotive industry is not? 
      Here's the reality we need to face: We do have a problem, but we shouldn't look for someone or any entity to rescue us. Not the government. Not the trade schools. Not the recruiting companies. No one owes us a workforce. If we want great people in our industry, it's up to us. At some point, we need to own up to the truth: Building a pipeline of qualified technicians is our responsibility.
      In this blog article, I will break down the key reasons we are in this situation today and what we, as an industry, can do to solve the technician shortage. Are you ready to look in the mirror?
      Have We Pushed Technicians Away?
      Let's take a look at flat-rate pay. True flat rate, which pays a technician only for the hours they produce, is a controversial pay plan that emphasizes high production levels and creates a competitive work environment that, if not properly controlled, can lead to increased mistakes and a decline in morale and team spirit. Additionally, the stress and physical demands placed on technicians as they age are not favorable to long-term employee retention. What do we do with technicians as they grow older into their fifties and begin to slow down? 
      I have heard all the arguments and pros and cons of flat-rate pay, and I am not going to judge any pay plan. Let the facts speak for themselves. True flat rate has changed in most areas around the country and has evolved into a pay plan that gives technicians some pay guarantee.
      Many shop owners have learned that team morale, along with the opportunity to earn income, is important to technicians and to the company's long-term success. But let me ask you: how many technicians have left or been pushed out over the years because of the old flat-rate pay system?
      Another issue is the workplace environment. I remember being grateful to be hired as a young technician at a local repair shop. While very thankful, the work environment was not ideal. The shop owner kept the bay doors open year-round (I am from New York) unless it rained or snowed. He felt that if the bay doors were closed, customers might think we were closed for business. We had no heat and no hot water. Many of the jobs were done outside, year-round,  in all types of weather. The starting pay was minimum wage, with no benefits, sick days, or vacation pay. 
      Now, again, I need to point out that I was truly grateful for the opportunity this shop owner gave me. I learned a lot working there, and the experience was pivotal in my career. But looking back, I wonder how many people were discouraged by these working conditions?
      While the physical demands of the repair workplace are daunting, perhaps even more critical is the culture. Too many of my generation shop owners preached the mindset of "my way or the highway." We were the business owners, after all. We started our companies, took all the risks, and provided jobs. Why shouldn't we be the ones to set the ground rules our way?   
      Many of us found over the years that the "my way or the highway" mentality was a sure way to isolate employees and make them more likely to look over the fence for greener grass. In other words, it led many technicians to seek employment elsewhere, where they felt they could be appreciated and recognized for their hard work. The issue, however, was that there wasn't much green grass around. Disappointment after disappointment, bouncing from repair to repair shop, eventually led to despair. So, I ask you: were workplace conditions a contributing factor in today's technician shortage?
      Another factor that we are all well aware of is the complexity of the modern automobile. When I started, the work was mostly physical, and you were required to master essentially three vehicle models: General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler. Let's fast-forward to today. The evolution of automotive technology, along with the extensive training and tools required, has outpaced the typical technician's pay compensation, with no clear career path. Again, leading to frustration and insecurity about the future.
      Here is the bottom line: people don't leave their job; they leave their experience. We must do a better job. 
      The News Isn't all Bad; Your Next Steps to Fix the Technician Shortage
      To fix the technician shortage, it will take a combined effort from everyone in the automotive industry, particularly automotive shop owners. Shop owners are in the perfect position to make the greatest impact, not only on their businesses but also on the future automotive workforce.
      First, shop owners must become better leaders and understand that their ultimate success is directly dependent on the people they assemble around them. Any shop owner who mistakenly believes they can build an empire solely on their abilities is destined for serious disappointment. Business owners who think like this will eventually plateau. Without the collective contributions from a team of qualified people, your business will stall; it will not continue to grow.
      Create a workplace that attracts top talent: a clean, professional, well-equipped facility designed to support productivity, teamwork, and a career, not just a job. Build a great reputation in your community by getting involved locally. Become the auto repair shop that people take notice of as "the" place to work.
      Next, shop owners must become more financially knowledgeable. Knowing your numbers and what you need to achieve for a strong bottom-line profit is essential to paying technicians the money they need and deserve. Profit will also allow you to compete with other trade industries by providing a benefits package that has real take-home value and security.
      When it comes to culture, this is where the rubber hits the road. People crave recognition, praise, and a sense of purpose. Despite what you hear, people are not just money-motivated. Once people feel secure in their financial situation, retaining and motivating technicians can only be achieved by connecting with them on an emotional level. You cannot show enough appreciation. Give out praise for a job well done as if your business depended on it, because it does.
      As technicians age, we need to have a place for them. Expecting a 58-year-old to perform like a 35-year-old is unrealistic. We need to be more focused on career pathing. Provide training, skill development, and coaching to develop leaders and mentors within our older workforce. While their bodies may have slowed, the knowledge they have gained is priceless. 
      Our future is dependent on young people entering our industry. We need to give more young people opportunities. Every shop owner across the country should consider hiring an apprentice, then build an apprentice training plan and career path for them. If every shop did this, we could solve the technician shortage within five years. Get involved with the trade schools and high schools in your area. Look into the NAPA Apprenticeship Program. Don't sit on your hands with this one. Do it today.
      Lastly, don't get left behind. Commit to ongoing training for all your employees. Keep up to date with tools and equipment tailored to your business model. Don't try to be all things to all people and all vehicles. Identify your core profile customer and the vehicles they drive, and become an expert on those vehicles and the services you offer.

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