The automotive industry is shifting gears, making it easier for a larger audience to shop and buy from anywhere. Ongoing advancements will continue to bring fresh challenges, ranging from pandemic-driven shortages to rising commodity prices, and opportunities, but making the future happen is no easy feat since there are many variables at stake, and a great deal depends on governmental directives. The Scottish government will have to delay the ban on the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles to 2035 because some Westminster Acts still apply to Scotland. The overall banning of cars that emit more carbon is part of a far-ranging effort to limit planet-heating emissions.
We’re closer than ever to more intelligent, safer, and more connected travel, with many discussing the implementation of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology in the near future. With V2X, cars can share timely, accurate data from other vehicles with pedestrians or traffic lights. The more technicians understand the automotive technologies that make up modern vehicles, the more they’ll be able to delve into the complexity without being overwhelmed. The automotive industry is racing toward a new world driven by changing consumer habits and sustainability, to name a few, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that cars are becoming more complex instead of simpler and easier to repair.
New Cars Have More Electronic Components and Sensors Looking for Errors
The future of the automotive industry will improve, so positive changes are likely to happen, and there’s reason to be hopeful about what’s to come. An ever-increasing number of vehicles are now electronically controlled and monitored, sporting features such as all-wheel drive (AWD), GPS navigators, in-car entertainment, and even self-driving/autonomous capabilities. Additionally, there are several sensors that monitor different aspects of a car and send the information to the driver or the Electronic Control Unit (ECU). The outcome is that new car maintenance is more complex for the average mechanic without electronic diagnostic equipment or knowledge of how to use it.
Therefore, there’s a stringent need for more skilled technicians, a gap that’s not presently met by the projection of mechanics likely to join the workforce in the upcoming years. There’s a critical shortage of automotive technicians at dealerships and independent repair facilities, not to mention large fleets who complete their own work using powerful diagnostics tools such as iCarsoft. The main reason for this is the limited resources and time to teach the dynamic technologies, which, of course, is essential for survival. There may be relief if the estimates on EV ownership come true because all-electric vehicles require less maintenance on account of the absence of a combustion engine, transmission, fuel injection, spark plugs, or catalytic converters.
So, Is There a Future for Mechanics? The Rise of Industry 4.0 Is Rapidly Changing the Sector
As vehicles are becoming ever more sophisticated, technology ability becomes paramount for the individuals working with them, so it’s to be expected that artisanal skills will be replaced by coding and data analysis. An OBDLink, for instance, can help identify specific errors, allowing you to read the OBD codes to determine what’s going on. More often than not, OBD scanners are used to diagnose problems with conventional gasoline vehicles, yet they can also be used for electric cars. The interface makes it possible to retrieve a lot of data using a scanner; whether you’re a mechanic or a car owner, you can communicate with the vehicle when troubleshooting engine or non-engine issues.
The increasing demand for maintenance and repairs coupled with the shortage of automotive technicians creates a need to enhance and expand mechanics’ skills to adapt to the new technologies. According to the experts, this doesn’t mean that artisanal skills will disappear completely. Indeed, we’ve overcome the tipping point when sales of EVs will quickly surpass petrol and diesel cars in the transition towards a decarbonised society, but what’s going to happen to all the other cars? For the time being, converting your car to an electric or hybrid isn’t affordable, so the complete disappearance of mechanical skills isn’t going to happen anytime soon.
The automotive industry is entering a new era as vehicles become computers on wheels, so technicians (or mechanics as we call them) must be able to work on brakes, suspension, and so on, but they must also have the coveted tech skills to manage high-tech cars. Examples include but aren’t limited to failure mechanisms, troubleshooting, and computer systems. Basically, learning to colour-code and read wiring diagrams is one of the most practical ways to address vehicle complexity by breaking it down into manageable parts. What’s certain is the automotive industry has a lot to offer eager, bright people who are willing to learn.
Keeping Abreast of Automotive Technology When It Moves at Such a Rapid Pace Isn’t Easy
You can no longer rely on what worked at a time, as you risk slowly but surely falling behind. Anyone in the automotive industry today must take advantage of the opportunity to become an expert in networks, software, electronics, and mechanics. The trade changes at a rapid pace, and without constant training and updating, it’s easy to become obsolete (and unemployed). Turning to online and print periodicals is one thing, but it would be best to read as many books as possible covering the latest developments to be ready to service and repair today’s complex vehicles. It’s crucial to follow which OEMs are pioneering and leading in given areas. Toyota, for instance, offers an abundance of information via its Technician Information System.
In a relatively short period of time, technology has quickly advanced, and not only in relation to electric cars. This is the reason why upskilling on an ongoing basis is so important – it helps remain competitive since it involves mastering new technology to improve processes and keep up with the pace of the changing landscape. The opportunities for upskilling abound. To be sure, opportunities for petrol and diesel vehicles may change as advancements progress, but there are numerous areas where technicians can add their skills, such as fixed-base diesel engines. All in all, it remains the responsibility of the industry to ensure novices have the chance to gain workplace experience.
