Automotive: The Service Business Today's class: ● Introduction to the automotive service business. ● Review pertinent information. ● Wrap up!

Automotive: Service ● Today about 14 million automobiles operate on the streets and highways in Canada. ● Another million operate off-road. ● More than 140,000 men and women keep these vehicles running. ● Some of the places that these people work: Dealerships – cars and truck are sold and serviced. Independent garages – service all makes and models of vehicles.

Automotive: Service Continued... ● Service stations – vehicles get fuel, oil, and related products and services. ● Tire and battery dealers – vehicles get their tires, tire service and battery and battery service. ● Service Facilities – set up by chains such as Sears or Canadian Tire. ● Specialty Shops – which may handle wheel alignment, transmissions, body repair, hot rodding, trucks, and tuneup work. ● Fleet Garages – where fleet operators (ex. Grey Hound), truck lines, and bus lines have their own service shops. ● Parts Stores – where automotive parts are sold. (ex. Lordco, Napa, Canadian Tire, etc..)

Automotive: Getting Ready for a Job The first step is learning the fundamentals which in our case is the basic knowledge of automobiles: ● Safety – All aspects. ● Shop work and manuals – Mitchell on Demand. ● Measuring systems and measuring tools – Metric and Imperial. ● Automotive fasteners. ● Shop hand tools. ● Shop equipment and power tools tools. ● Engines, fuel systems, lubricating systems, cooling systems, electrical equipment, and so on. ● After the theory, practical experience is necessary to complete any technical education.

Automotive: Industry ● Firstly, we need to take a look at how automobiles are made to understand the industry. ● Most domestic automobiles in North America are manufactured by the big 4: ● American Motor Corporation – Now part of ● Chrysler Corporation ● Ford Motor Company (FoMoCo) ● General Motors Corporation (GMC) ● In addition, some foreign - car makers have built assembly plants in Canada and the US. ● These include Honda, Toyota, Datsun, BMW, Mercedes, and others.

Automotive: Industry Continued.... Let's follow the production of a new model automobile from ideation to complete car. ● 3 or more years from drawing to a complete production product. ● Concept sketches and designs are made. ● Detailed drawings of EVERY part have to be created. ● Machinery and plants have to be setup to make the parts. ● Copious amounts of materials have to be purchased a head of time. ● Assembly lines and machinery have to be installed. ● People who will have to work on the machines and assembly lines have to be trained in operations.

Automotive: Industry Continued.... Meanwhile ● Factory service engineers are producing all the shop manuals that explain how to test and service all the components of the car. ● When new cars come out these same engineers organize schools to train mechanics in the new servicing procedures required on the new cars. ● So, a VERY complicated process which involves hundreds of thousands of people and millions of hours in thinking up, designing and actually building the car.

Automotive: Job Opportunities ● Automotive service offers opportunities to those who have the technical abilities and extensive knowledge of automotive mechanics. ● Mechanics make as much as other technically trained professionals. ● There is a shortage of well trained automotive mechanics and they are in much demand. ● The job of an automotive mechanic can be a stepping stone to possibly other jobs like the manager of an automotive shop. ● The auto mechanic might want to start their own business.

Automotive: Job Opportunities Cont. ● Most independent garages, specialty shops, and service stations are owned and operated by mechanics who have moved up the ladder. ● Many top level employees (executive) were mechanics at one time. ● So, the opportunities are what you make them. ● All successful persons have one thing in common, they have chosen to study and work hard. (The Donald)

Automotive: Service Stations ● There are more than 23,000 service stations in Canada. ● These vary from the small (2-3 pumps) to the very large (multiple pumps). ● The services potentially offered are varied. ● Some are simply filling stations for fuel and oil. ● Others are equipped to do a complete tuneup. ● Some have mechanics who can take car of many services a car might need. ● For example – balancing wheels, align wheels, repair brake systems, make minor engine repairs, etc..

Automotive: Dealers ● There are over 4,900 new-car dealers in Canada which are franchised dealers (dealer / manufacturer contract with whole sale vehicles). ● The dealer is responsible for customer satisfaction and service. ● This covers warranty work covered by the manufacturer. ● Although being a dealer is a complicated business, the potential for $$$ is big.

Automotive: Independent Garages ● There is an estimated 12,000 independent and franchised auto repair shops in Canada that vary in size. ● With so many shops customers have a choice on where to take their car. ● Most people take their car to a garage for their own reasons. ● Most people own used cars which are more likely to end up at a independent garage. ● Independent garages offer a complete line of services.

Automotive: Specialty Shops ● Many specialty shops exist to provide backup to service shops. ● They include machine work on brake components (rotors and drums),crankshaft and camshaft grinding, brake shoe relining and so on. ● Some shops specialize in engine rebuilding or re - manufacturing ● There are others that specialize in transmissions. Example AAMCO. ● Another specialty shop example is Midas.

Automotive: Specialty Shops Cont. ● Some specialty shops just concentrate on rebuilding starters or alternators. ● Some specialize on body repair and repainting or interior upholstery work. ● So, there are numerous opportunities in the specialty shop business for an individual to get a very varied experience.

Automotive: Fleet Garages ● Small fleet operations get their work done at garages. Ex. BC Ambulance and Chrysler. ● Large fleet operations setup their own shop to maintain their vehicles. Ex. Busses. ● Often the work is done on a preset schedule. ● Some items are checked each time the vehicle goes out and others less frequently. (brakes vs. oil) ● These procedures are usually referred to as driver maintenance and preventative maintenance.

Automotive: Fleet Garages Cont. ● Equipment is maintained in good working condition to prevent failures. ● For Fleets a truck break down could cost thousands of dollars. (Truck hauling frozen food) ● Another example would be a broken down bus. The end result is upset passengers and loss of future ridership.

Automotive: Parts Dealer ● A parts dealer operates muck like a retail store. Ex. Lordco, Napa, Canadian Tire. ● The dealer keeps literally thousands of different automotive - service parts in stock. ● They also have contacts with a network of distributors and suppliers who can get needed parts quickly. ● Parts dealers will deliver parts but if needed quickly the service garage send someone to pick them up.

Automotive: Parts Dealer Continued ● Working in one of these stores is a lot like working in retail. ● Except for the fact that everything is automotive related. ● Fact: If you work for Lordco you get a WILD discount on parts. ● Most products are found via a plethora of catalogs. ● Being familiar with what you are looking for can save you time in the long run. ● Most manufactures have their products available online. Ex. Summit Racing, Napa, Etc.

Automotive: Learning How to have success in this course! Step 1: Paying attention to all lectures and demos. Step 2: taking notes for review and use on the quizzes. Step 3: Get involved in the practical learning that takes place. If you have nothing to do you are choosing to do nothing.

Automotive: Keeping a note book - TIPS ● Keep your note book neat and organized. ● Motivation: Their will be random note book checks. ● The best way to organize is to have dividers. We will be converging sections that vary from safety to Engine systems. So, dividers will be valuable. ● Notes will come in many forms and if you need to copy down text or sketches you need a place to keep them.

Wrap Up! ● Automotive service is a VERY large industry. ● Getting ready for a automotive job involves theory and practical learning. ● There are several different automobile manufactures. ● There are many different venues for automotive service. ● Always pay close attention to lectures and Demos. ● Always keep a neat and organized note book.

The End!

Quiz #1 – Automotive Service Business 1. How many vehicles operate off-road in Canada? 2. Name a parts dealer? 3. Give one example of a specialty shop. 4. Any practical education has two parts. List them. 5. List two of the big domestic automotive manufactures.

Quiz #1 – Automotive Service Business 6. When creating a car the first step is concept designs and drawings. True or False? 7. Any person that works hard has the potential to move up the _________. 8. Specialty shop provide what to service shops? 9. Give an example of a Fleet garage. 10. You must have a ________ and _______ note book.

Quiz #1 – Automotive Service Business Bonus Question? What is this person doing wrong?