For shop owners with the right mindset and drive, they can turn challenges into opportunities to rise to the top and thrive
In the 1970s, President Richard Nixon took the U.S. dollar off the gold standard and Earl Scheib would “PAINT ANY CAR” for $99.95 and the average auto shop cost less than $20,000. How things have changed.
While the core services of an auto shop remain the same, technology, materials, and customer expectations have evolved significantly and may affect the vehicle service and repair business.
The automotive aftermarket in the United States is now valued in excess of $4.8 billion and is expected to double over the next five years. The auto shop business is now an industry that includes marketing, regulations, documents, assembly, service and repair of automobiles, trucks, buses, and motorbikes.
Today, shops use computer-controlled paint booths, digital color mixing, advanced robotic equipment and diagnostic scan tools, and OE repair data.
A study conducted by TechForce.org said 232,000 technicians were needed in 2021 for conventional automotive, diesel, and collision repair, but schools only graduated 42,000 apprentices. Another report stated that an additional 60,000 collision repair technicians are needed.
Mike Rowe, CEO of the mikeroweWORKS Foundation and television personality, is a strong advocate for skilled automotive trades and has consistently emphasized the importance of vocational training. He said he believes there is a skills gap and that well-paying jobs are going unfilled because society often pushes students towards four-year degrees instead.
He urges a cultural shift: instead of pressuring every student into college, society should encourage and support those who want to pursue skilled trades.
The automotive maintenance and repair industry has also evolved into a brand-new industry due to the rise of modern transportation methods, like ride-sharing and autonomous vehicles, along with the increasing importance of connectivity and electrification.
Auto shops are part of an enormous automotive aftermarket, yet the number of body shops has decreased over the past few years. However, the industry is showing a steady increase in revenue due to the stringent regulations that pushed car manufacturers to include more provisions.
And let’s not forget the rise of online reviews, social media, and online appointment services that have changed how customers find and interact with auto shops.
The auto repair and maintenance business has evolved so fast that owners who do not keep up with technology, will find themselves permanently behind and unable to compete — this will cause a huge shift in the landscape, players, and limitations.
For shop owners with the right mindset and drive, they can turn all those challenges into opportunities to rise to the top and thrive. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Steven E. Schillinger is an accredited Professional Engineer and often speaks at auto industry meetings about EPA, OSHA and Fire Marshal regulations. He is certified for ANSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES Standard 189.1-2014 and works with companies to resolve and remove environmental, health and safety violations.
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