Automobile repair shop

An automobile repair shop (also car workshop, car workshop or garage, in Switzerland also: Car body ) is a small company that repairs to motor vehicles ( motor vehicles) performs and provides for the settlement of warranty and guarantee claims. Further it offers preventive service work as well as consulting and technical inspections of motor vehicles, such as vehicle inspection.

History

The history of the automobile repair shop is as old as the history of the automobile. The Central Association of the German Automotive Industry founded in 1909, organized and structured the garages.

Market development

The German market for automotive repair shops is divided into two major groups, the so-called brand-related (that is authorized by vehicle manufacturers ) and the free workshops. According to the current DAT Report 2012, there were 2011 38,000 automotive service companies in the year. This is to make 17,600 businesses and 20,400 non- brand-bound automobile companies. In recent years, the total number of workshops is declining; In 2004 there were 41,700 auto repair shops.

Brand Bound / Free automotive workshop

Decline was in the number of brand-related companies. Their number has decreased from 2004-2011 from 20,120 to 17,600. A shift of the numbers in favor of free workshops has arisen mainly due to the reduction of the service networks that have made ​​virtually all car manufacturers and importers in recent years. Many authorized workshops are part of a car dealership; many larger companies also operate a gas station or a car wash and the sale of new cars and / or used cars.

During long been a trend to larger units is economically establish the brand in the enterprise segment, it is in the free workshops usually smaller, owner-managed businesses that are firmly rooted in their local area. While getting brand- bound service companies from the brand support in the areas of technical information, parts trading, training, etc., but offer - increasingly since the mid- 90s - workshop systems independent garages these services at the same time use their own multi-brand profile. The workshop systems are carried by the parts wholesale dealer or the vehicle parts industry.

While the brand-related workshops have focused in their power spectrum for a long time on a vehicle manufacturers, independent garages were open always for all vehicle types and brands. This flexibility pays dividends particularly during difficult economic times. Increasingly, therefore, also be seen the brand- bound workshops a second brand - or to accept a workshop system as a second brand. Since the entry into force of the motor vehicle block exemption 1400/2002 Vehicle manufacturers are also required to pass on their vehicle data to other market participants in order to enhance competition.

Free workshops are partially connected franchise business or marketing chains. These chains are also referred to as workshop systems or workshop concepts.

Occupation images

The occupations that are needed in a garage, include automotive mechatronics, mechanics for auto body repair technology, coachbuilder ( Spengler) and saddlery.

There is also a master constraint and thus a master of the automotive repair shop as acting workshop manager is necessary, including since work on safety- related systems or working with hazardous substances ( chemicals, gases, air bags, etc.) must be carried out under the auspices of a corresponding master. Professional qualifications of the said trades as a journeyman are not sufficient.

Statement

The billing of the services is done either by the Master or appropriately parked service staff

• After working hours and the supplies are low,
• Or a lump sum according to the report prepared by the major car manufacturers guidelines.
• For major repairs, the creation of an estimate is possible or will be offered by the workshop.

Special Features

To equip a motor vehicle workshop include lift, brake tester, headlamp aiming device, diagnostic equipment / devices ( electronic, chemical, mechanical), brake bleeding device (usually electro ), Stand press ( hydraulic), axle alignment, air conditioning service equipment, tire changer and wheel balancer.

Distinction between

In addition to pure automotive repair shops, there are tuning shops that specialize in the technical and optical changes of vehicles to customer. The term " tuning" is thereby assigned to more newer vehicles (from ~ 1980s to present), whereas the change from old-timers often with the term " customizing " is ( engl. Customer = customer ), where the transitions are not exactly delineate are.

Since the concept of tuning is often associated with inferior or ( from today's perspective ) optically questionable change measures of the 1980s and 1990s, to tuning workshops call in car / SUV range euphemistically as " vehicle tuner " to the to emphasize high quality of today's tags. Specialized companies for the conversions of motorcycles often place value on the prominence of near their work sector for technology and crafts ( see, eg, Thunderbike ).