It wasn’t that long ago that car repair was a relatively simple process. If you had a car accident and needed to fix the damage, you could do it yourself using the tools and instructions provided in the car’s user manual.
Today, things are very different. Automotive service has become a billion-dollar industry, and most drivers rely on professionals to handle even the simplest repairs. So what happened?
How did we go from a do-it-yourself car accident repair process to an industry where we need to pay others to fix our cars for us?
The Beginnings of the Automotive Service Industry
The automotive service industry can be traced back to the early 20th century. At that time, cars were a new invention, and there wasn’t a lot of information available on how to fix them.
This meant when something went wrong, drivers had to figure it out for themselves.
Fortunately, car manufacturers provided user manuals with their vehicles that contained easy, do-it-yourself solutions to common problems. Virtually any driver could use putty and a knife to resolve most, if not all, of the vehicular issues they’d encounter along the way.
However, as cars became more complex, the do-it-yourself car repair process became increasingly difficult.
By the mid-20th century, it was no longer realistic to expect drivers to be able to fix their own cars. This paved the way for the automotive service industry to take off.
The Growth of the Automotive Service Industry
As cars became more complex, the automotive service industry began to grow. This was due in part to the fact that drivers were no longer able to fix their own cars but also because car ownership became more common.
In the early days of the automotive industry, car ownership was a luxury only the wealthy could afford.
But as the years went by and car production increased, prices began to drop, and more people were able to buy cars. By the mid-20th century, car ownership was no longer a rarity — it was becoming the norm. Nowadays, you can even purchase cars through online portals.
As car ownership became more common, the demand for automotive services also increased. This allowed the industry to grow and evolve, and by the 21st century, it had become a billion-dollar industry.
Auto Mechanics and Auto Body Break Up
One important change occurred following the Great Depression. In order to fight off market stagnation and the do-it-yourselfers, a man named Alfred P. Sloan, Jr. decided it best to split the worlds of mechanics and auto body.
This allowed for the cosmetic side of vehicle ownership to surge and evolve alongside the mechanical side of things.
The Impact of Technology on the Automotive Service Industry
One of the biggest changes to the automotive service industry in recent years has been the impact of technology. In the past, most car repairs were done by hand, but now many of them are done using computers and other sophisticated equipment.
This change is largely due to the fact that cars have become more complex, and as a result, car repairs have become more difficult.
In order to keep up with the changing times, automotive service providers have had to invest in new equipment and train their employees on how to use it.
Some of the biggest automotive repair changes include:
- Greater engine expertise: As cars have become more complex, so have their engines. Auto mechanics now need to be experts in computerized engine management systems in order to diagnose and fix problems.
- Sophisticated diagnostic tools: In the past, car repairs were often done by trial and error. But now, thanks to sophisticated diagnostic tools, auto mechanics can quickly and easily identify the root cause of a problem. This saves time and money, and it also means car owners can be back on the road sooner.
- An evolution of chassis work and new repair tools: In the past, car chassis were made of wood, but now they’re mostly made of steel or aluminum. As a result, the tools and techniques used to repair them have had to evolve.
- The next era of transmissions, axels, drive shafts, and torque converters: The way transmissions, axels, drive shafts, and torque converters are made has changed in recent years, and as a result, the way they’re repaired has also changed.
- Modern vehicle electrical circuits: Fiber optics and more
- New fuel types and systems: There are a lot of benefits to driving plug-in Hybrid electric, and alternative vehicles. With the rise in popularity, new mechanical training and understanding were developed.
The impact of technology has also been felt in other ways. For example, many car owners now use the internet to research car problems and find solutions.
This means they are often more informed about car repairs than they were in the past.
The Challenges Faced by the Automotive Service Industry
Despite the fact that the automotive service industry is now a billion-dollar industry, it faces a number of challenges.
One of the biggest challenges is that car ownership is no longer growing at the same rate as it did in the past.
As car ownership saturates and growth slows, the automotive service industry will have to find new ways to increase its revenue.
This could involve expanding into new markets, such as electric cars or self-driving cars, or finding new ways to appeal to car owners.
The automotive service industry is also facing a number of other challenges, such as the rise of car-sharing services and the increasing popularity of do-it-yourself car repairs.
The Future of the Automotive Service Industry
The automotive service industry is facing a number of challenges, but it is still a billion-dollar industry.
In order to continue to grow and thrive, the industry will need to find new ways to appeal to car owners.
One way the automotive service industry could do this is by expanding into new markets, such as electric cars or self-driving cars, which could replace personal use cars in the future.
Alternatively, the industry could focus on providing car owners with more value for their money.
Whatever direction the automotive service industry takes in the future, one thing is certain: It will continue to play a vital role in keeping our cars running smoothly.
Luke Williams writes and researches for the car insurance comparison site, CarInsuranceComparison.com. His passions include insurance and educating others on the history of the automobile.
