4 answers
Sarai
Student
Oregon City, Oregon
2
Questions
Asked
774 views
What are some of the challenges when it comes to working in the automotive industry?
What challenges are faced?
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4 answers
COREY WILSON
Automotive Technician
7
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
COREY’s Answer
For one thing it is a dirty job. You are constantly going to be around oil, coolant, among many other toxic, stinky, and slippery fluids. It is labor intensive, both physically and mentally. There are also many mechanics, or even automotive repair shop owners who are very difficult people to deal with. Tools are extremely expensive, and a constant need. There are so many different vehicles from different countries that all require different specialized tools. Each vehicle make is slightly different from the others, not to mention new models every year. So there is a lot to keep up with in order to be well informed. Vehicle electrical diagnosis can be challenging. Some people fit right in, I am one if those people, if you are also one of those people than most days will go by in the blink of an eye. If work is there and you have jobs to keep you busy, it's a job where you won't be constantly watching the clock. You will just look up from time to time and see that it's about time to call it a day.
Mark Scarberry
Student
41
Answers
Huntington, West Virginia
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hello, Sarai!
The automotive industry is a great industry to work in, but there are a few problems people have with it. Here are a few:
* Supply chain issues - it can be hard to order parts and the time it takes to get the certain part
* Labor shortages - not enough people are hired, which leaves you plenty of options!
* Demand - This industry can be very demanding, which results in work overload
These are just a few challenges in the industry. Good luck in your automotive journey!
The automotive industry is a great industry to work in, but there are a few problems people have with it. Here are a few:
* Supply chain issues - it can be hard to order parts and the time it takes to get the certain part
* Labor shortages - not enough people are hired, which leaves you plenty of options!
* Demand - This industry can be very demanding, which results in work overload
These are just a few challenges in the industry. Good luck in your automotive journey!
Michael Shannon
Automobile Technician
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Michael’s Answer
This really depends on the type of shop.
Independent shops sometimes use aftermarket parts which can be just fine, but not always. The parts that are used can sometimes be substandard and prone to failure. When this happens, you have to go back and diagnose the issue again which wastes you valuable time. You will almost certainly be working on older vehicles that are not always as well maintained as newer cars that go to dealerships will be. This part is not always true, there are many older cars that are very well maintained.
Another thing about being in an independent facility is the lack of repair information for some vehicles. The aftermarket repair information is not always as good as dealer information can be.
If you can overcome the parts and information issues, the independent shop is great. It is just better to work there after you haver gotten some dealer experience.
Dealer shops can be difficult to wrk in because of the warranty requirements for the technicians. You have to have some much supporting documentation for warranty work, and it usually does not pay as well as non-warranty work does. There are sometimes difficult customers that want everything for free and you will be expected to bow down to their demands to keep you customer survey scores high. Sometimes parts can be an issue when they go on a backorder. You really don't have options on parts since it is a dealer, and you are going to be stuck waiting for parts lots of times. This has been far more frequent since 2019, and it puts your money on hold, because you cannot get paid for a job until it is completed.
Independent shops sometimes use aftermarket parts which can be just fine, but not always. The parts that are used can sometimes be substandard and prone to failure. When this happens, you have to go back and diagnose the issue again which wastes you valuable time. You will almost certainly be working on older vehicles that are not always as well maintained as newer cars that go to dealerships will be. This part is not always true, there are many older cars that are very well maintained.
Another thing about being in an independent facility is the lack of repair information for some vehicles. The aftermarket repair information is not always as good as dealer information can be.
If you can overcome the parts and information issues, the independent shop is great. It is just better to work there after you haver gotten some dealer experience.
Dealer shops can be difficult to wrk in because of the warranty requirements for the technicians. You have to have some much supporting documentation for warranty work, and it usually does not pay as well as non-warranty work does. There are sometimes difficult customers that want everything for free and you will be expected to bow down to their demands to keep you customer survey scores high. Sometimes parts can be an issue when they go on a backorder. You really don't have options on parts since it is a dealer, and you are going to be stuck waiting for parts lots of times. This has been far more frequent since 2019, and it puts your money on hold, because you cannot get paid for a job until it is completed.
COREY WILSON
Automotive Technician
7
Answers
Sunnyvale, California
Updated
COREY’s Answer
For one thing it is a dirty job. You are constantly going to be around oil, coolant, among many other toxic, stinky, and slippery fluids. It is labor intensive, both physically and mentally. There are also many mechanics, or even automotive repair shop owners who are very difficult people to deal with. Tools are extremely expensive, and a constant need. There are so many different vehicles from different countries that all require different specialized tools. Each vehicle make is slightly different from the others, not to mention new models every year. So there is a lot to keep up with in order to be well informed. Vehicle electrical diagnosis can be challenging. Some people fit right in, I am one of those people, if you are also one of those people than most days will go by in the blink of an eye. If work is there and you have jobs to keep you busy, it's a job where you won't be constantly watching the clock. You will just look up from time to time and see that it's about time to call it a day.