I started my career after high school as a dealership and independent mechanic — later known as a technician. I loved to learn about cars, trucks and motorcycles. I worked on all three.
Big technological changes started right after I started full-time. That was in 1969. It was a time, like now, when safety and environmental legislation created major upheaval.
Many older technicians, tire dealership owners and others remember those days, which led to the emergence of the Environmental Protection Agency, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration and other groups. In 2024, we have a movement to make cars safer with mandatory back-up cameras, self-stopping software and other safety systems.
However, more people are dying in crashes than before. Environmentally, we have made huge advances by making cleaner engines that produce much less harmful emissions, but excessive carbon dioxide remains a problem.
There are those who question the need for advanced safety systems, which certainly require more training and specialized equipment to repair. And more voices are being heard when it comes to emissions regulations. These voices are always louder in an election year.
In response to these changes, your dealership must have a plan. Your customers are buying cars, trucks and sport utility vehicles that use high-voltage systems.
Doing nothing just kicks the can down the road. The longer you wait, the smaller your share of the local electric vehicle (EV) market will become.
Learning to work on hybrids is harder than learning to work on pure electric cars. A plug-in hybrid is the toughest.
Are hybrids the easiest way to get started? No. But once you commit to fixing hybrids, you have to keep going. Many of your customers will move from a hybrid to a plug-in EV, then from that to a pure EV. It’s a natural progression.
The future of any shop is staying relevant. We learned that 50 years ago.
Finally, a word about ongoing education. Automotive Career Development Center (ACDC), my technician training company, is centered on "keeping independent shops in business" by offering, since 2000, high-voltage tech training. As we have grown, the solution to the question of "What do we need to learn to stay competitive?” has changed.
My perspective comes from my life's experiences, listening to others and experimentation.
Education is a path of discovery. Once the teacher starts the class, the students are led to a new understanding. Informal "education" is hit and miss. Formal education is better. This has helped my business stay ahead of the competition and it will help your business do the same.
