Exactly. I think the problem with that is the expense of bespoke diagnostic equipment and tools for each manufacturer. The big guys know how to price out the independent in servicing the cars they make. Guy’s like Rob can get stuck if they don’t want the overhead to service every new model that rolls out of the factory. :/
See this big ol grey table looking thing? (not my shop, got this image off google)
Commonly called a powertrain lift table. This particular one is a version of the Gruse MHT1200 (because it can lift 1200kg). It comes with various adjustable fixtures to support the lowering of things like this entire powertrain you see there. But they are also used for replacing high voltage battery packs. And can be used to replace other very heavy vehicle components like an EV traction motor or a subframe. Very versitale. Due to the high cost and rather large footprint of it, most independent shops don’t have this.
My shop has had to buy
three of these god damned things. It weighs over half a ton unloaded and takes up a shitload of room. And it’s not like we can stack them. The price varied each time, but the last one we were forced to buy cost almost ten grand. Why three, when only one or maybe two would be plenty?
Each manufacturer that we are a franchised dealer for has this big list of required special tools and equipment we have to have in order to sell and service their vehicles. We told manufacturer B that we already have the same table because manufacturer A made us buy one a few years ago, so we don’t need to buy another.
Well our version is different, so you still need to buy it…so we’ll just ship it to you and auto bill your general account. We get a nice little shipment of special tools and a bill every time a new model comes out.
Just a small example of the hundreds of thousands worth of tools and equipment the dealer has to have. Indy shops never come close to investing that much.
Makes me think back to years ago when I was a service manager/lead tech for a Wheel Works. Dumb fuck store manager takes in a transmission replacement job despite me telling him we didn’t have the tools to handle that and should send that car to another shop. Tells me
you’re a master tech, you’ll figure something out! I wound up supporting the whole front subframe with the powertrain on it by supporting it with four metal barrels underneath then easing the lift to get the rest of the car out of the way. Sketchy AF and I never want to work like that again.
I’m not going to deny that theirs is an incredible amount of greed happening in the dealer model. But the amount of overhead we carry is just ridiculous. Probably a pretty good reason why manufacturers are happy to have franchisees and let them eat all the expenses of having a sales/service center in xxxx city.
How about the “no dealer” model then. Know anyone with a Rivian? If you have a problem with it, they come and get it. Great…but you don’t get your truck back for a looooong time.
1975 here
