Good post Tony

I think the next few years will be very interesting, how things can change in just a few years

A short while ago there was panic in the Motor Trade as there was going to be a shortage of Technicians to fill the dealers requirements, now many dealers are shutting and qualified technicians joining the Dole queue

Is this the end of the glass palaces for dealers, car sales and workshops lumped together and costing a fortune for overheads, more reliable cars and longer service intervals forcing up labour rates to generate extra revenue, no wonder we here the rip off stories you describe.....they are desperate to make a profit and stay viable, it will be their undoing in the end

We may see smaller dealerships possibly owned by the manufacturers and repair workshops moved to Industrial sites to units that are not so expensive (less overheads) to help reduce labour costs, this may also lead to more manufacturer approved Independents as OE diagnostic equipment becomes cheaper and more available

We may also see the manufacturers open seperate parts outlets such as TPS (VW), seperating the parts supply and distribution from the sales and workshops....Motor Factors watch out

Interesting times ahead.....about time the Independents got the upper hand

Peter

PS: How many manufacturer brand names will not be around by the end of 2009?........dont bother updating your Chrysler, Volvo and Saab pods just yet