AP: High-tech vehicles pose trouble for some mechanics

The entire world is charging ahead in technology of many fields including automobiles. Those mechanics who chose to stay put shall be left behind.
I used to freqent an indie mechanic shop. Now, I barely go there any more. On the repairs, these shops lack the tool to diagnose problem correctly and quickly. On maintenance, the dealers are dropping price to match these indies shops. I see no need to go there any more. Sad, but happening.

 

As above, move forward or you will go backward.
Dealer shops have to buy the equipment too, Santa doesn't bring them to good little dealer mechanics. Another thing that bothers some employers is training, a lot of employers wont invest in their staff so they also go backward.

 

Yes you are correct dealerships have to buy the tools too. However the dealership gets them at a heavily discounted rate. In most cases at a 50% or better discount than an indie shop gets them.

 

My dealer (ne tenn) charges more and are ignorant as far as knowing the prius. For instance they quoted $8k for repairs that autobeyours did for $1950.00/ ,didn't know that dead 12volt would keep car from rolling. Go figure

 

otoh, I suspect the dealers have an obligation to store a tool chest that offers full service, while the indies can pick what tools they want to buy, and when to buy them. Indies can pick and choose what repairs to offer, based on expected volume of repairs, tool costs, and customer demand. That is quite a market advantage.

When all is said and done, I think we are left with a simple observation: owning a low volume car is expensive in many ways.

 

I have a family member who works in the Service Dept. of a GM dealership. They are in a small town and have never sold a single GM hybrid of any model. He told me they will refuse to work on any hybrids if they ever come in but here's the kicker. GM ships the tools to work on the hybrids to the dealership and charges the dealer, even though the dealer does not want them and did not order them.

 

My son-in-law runs an independent drivetrain shop in Boulder, CO. While they specialize in auto transmissions and 4WD drivetrains, they do all the usual mechanical and front-end work. Sean has to keep up with on-line manual subscriptions, etc. to stay competitive. Rather than shun modern cars, they like them - easier to diagnose and fix, and since they're one of the few indies that want the work they get the work.

Sean has a background with the local Chrysler dealer before going indie, so he has a background in most high-tech stuff. They do work on Prius, and prefer the Gen II to the Gen I (it's getting hard for them to find parts at competitive prices for the Gen I - many of their customers are happy with salvage yard, used parts, always with full disclosure and price comparisons with new for the customer to make their own decisions - NEVER used for new price like some crooks!). He is fascinated with the hybrid transmission and finds it easy to understand - but this is someone who can rebuild about any auto tanny without a manual (I tried to rebuild one auto in my life - never again!). They don't consider themselves a Hybrid shop, but usually won't shy away from at least taking a look and seeing what they can do for their customers.