Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_May_2019 - 8

EDITOR'S NOTE

Connected cars and
tomorrow's technicians

David Brierley
Managing Editor

A few takeaways from the ETI ToolTech conference
By Sara Scullin, Editor
Sara@VehicleServicePros.com

t's easy to get so caught up in the
day-to-day business that we fail to
look ahead. I was privy to some thoughtprovoking 'big picture' details concerning
the aftermarket at ETI (Equipment & Tool
Institute) ToolTech.
This year's meeting in Charlotte, North
Carolina, recapped some noteworthy shifts
happening in the industry.

1. EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED
Connected technology is one such change
shaking up the industry. "Connected car"
refers to a vehicle having some level of connectivity already embedded in the car; items
that help it "talk" to other things in a connected environment.
Kumar Saha, director of research and
consulting with Frost and Sullivan, says,
"Double digit growth is expected in telematics ... in all global regions." Saha says the
majority of vehicles in North America alone
will have some level of connectivity by 2025.
Various levels of connectivity already do
and will continue to provide services like
virtual assistants in cars, infotainment,
safety services (eCall), over the air updates,
OEM predictive services, and advanced
speech recognition. Consider how such
changes might affect the touch point with
your customers ... and the process of diagnosing a vehicle.

2. YOU CAN'T IGNORE ADAS
(ADVANCED DRIVER
ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS)
Many speakers talked about the opportunities and challenges that ADAS systems present. I learned that by 2030, nearly 80 percent
of U.S. vehicles will have some level of ADAS
technology. However, current targets and
calibration procedures (static versus dynamic) to service ADAS are non-standardized.

PTEN

MAY 2019

VehicleServicePros.com

Also consider that there are no OEM
standard names for sensors and systems;
technicians may find 293 name variations
for a "360-degree camera view," for example, including "around view camera," "surround view camera system," etc.
Collision shops technically see sensor
issues before the dealer, and very few dealership technicians are properly trained in
using this equipment and following a standardized procedure.
I-CAR's Scott VanHulle says the organization (I-CAR) is developing both virtual and online training to help train interindustry professionals on ADAS, including
updated electrical and diagnostics courses.

3. TRAINING IS KEY
While this industry transforms, the
number of trained technicians is getting
smaller and smaller, says Mark Saxonberg,
NASTF (National Automotive Service
Task Force) Chairman. The challenge -
posed to high schools, trade schools, and
industry professionals alike - will be to
"grow [our] own" technicians in the coming years, making sure tomorrow's workforce comes armed with entry level skill
certifications based on: the ability to perform tasks, apprenticeships and in-service
training, and career development.
Finally, don't discount the value of
mentorship. Saxonberg points out, "For
every dollar you invest in a mentoring
program, you get $1.50 back from the
investment." He adds, mentored employees have a 90 percent retention rate,
while 30 percent of technicians who were
not mentored will look for a new job in
the first year.
"Without mentoring, we cannot move
from the world of cannibalizing technicians
to growing our own," says Saxonberg.

Tyler Fussner
Assistant Editor

Emily Markham
Assistant Editor

Kayla Oschmann
Assistant Editor

Barry Hoyland
Contributing Editor
PTEN Editorial Advisory Board
Technicians
John Harris,
Brooks-Huff Goodyear, Timonium MD
Eric Moore,
DeMary Trucks, Columbus, OH
Lou Fort,
K.A.R.S. Inc., Huntingburg, IN
Shop Owners
Phil Fournier,
Phil's Auto Clinic, Hemet, CA
JD Goad,
Goad's Body Shop, Lexington, VA
Edwin Hazzard,
Southeast Mobile Tech, Goose Creek, SC
Barry Hoyland,
VSSCA, Camarillo, CA
Pete Rudloff,
Pete's Garage Inc., Newark, DE
Equipment Manufacturers
Chad Schley,
Schley Products/SP Tools
Jim O'Hara,
Clore Automotive

http://www.VehicleServicePros.com

Professional_Tool_And_Equipment_News_May_2019

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