Things That Scare Me … Really Scare Me

I’m sure I’m not alone in declaring that there are lots of things that scare me. A few of my favorites have been a too-close encounter with a black bear, going 150 MPH on a high-banked track in an unstable car (with no roll bar or helmet) and trying to scream for help while wearing a Turbo-Hydramatic on my chest. There are others, but to get to my point, there are things going on in our industry that should make us all a little worried. One is the continued trend toward vehicles that need less in routine service, but cost a fortune to fix when they do break. The result is older vehicles for second and third owners, which means lower residual values when the big jobs come due. Who changes a transmission or engine in a 12 year-old car?

Another is the trend toward leasing. With automakers selling cars as a monthly payment, rather than as a purchase, it can look like a better deal to rent new rather than finance a major repair. Still another is the consistent inability of our trade to shake the image of technician as ‘grease monkey’. I’ve been all over this topic in the past, but how many successful shop owners or techs encourage their children to follow them into the trade? The dirty little secret of the current shortage of apprentices is that the number one supply source, second and third generation techs, is drying up as current professionals send their kids to colleges and universities. On the other hand, it might take a university automotive engineering degree to service the next generation of vehicles. Which brings me to my last issue: information lock out. Not enough feedback is coming from the “trenches” about this issue. The parts players, through the AIA, are looking at it, but it’s also going to take some noise from shops coast-to-coast-to-coast to get anyone’s attention up in Ottawa. We can’t count on the conventional media to pick up on this crisis, since they’re busy reporting on Belinda Stronach’s wardrobe and the musical chairs we call Parliament. I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again: write or E-mail your MLA/MPP and MP. Copy me in if you like, but don’t let this one slip or there won’t be enough independents left to fill my Dodge Caravan.

On a lighter note, this month’s SSGM introduces a new column called Last Word. It’s the last page of the issue and is written by individual shop owners to sound off about the business, current issues, or what they like or dislike about our part of the aftermarket. It’s like the column you’re reading right now, except you get to have the fun, too. Do me a favour, however. Read the rest of the issue before you flip to the back page!