Page 26 - Automobile Mechanical and Electrical Systems Automotive Technology Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (Vehicle Maintenance Repr Nv2) by Tom Denton

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Table 1.4 Automotive trades
Mobile mechanics Servicing and repairs at the owner’s home or business. Usually a one-person company

Bodywork repairers and Specialists in body repair and paintwork
painters
Valeters These companies specialize in valeting, which should be thought of as much more involved
than getting the car washed. Specialist equipment and products are used and proper training
is essential

Fuel stations These may be owned by an oil company or be independent. Some also do vehicle repair work
Specialized repairers Auto-electrical, air conditioning, automatic transmission and in-car entertainment systems are
just some examples

General repair workshop or Servicing and repairs of most types of vehicles not linked to a specifi c manufacturer. Often this
independent repairer will be a small business, maybe employing two or three people. However, there are some very
large independent repairers

Parts supply Many companies now supply a wide range of parts. Many will deliver to your workshop
Fast-fi t Supplying and fi tting of exhausts, tyres, radiators, batteries, clutches, brakes and windscreens
Fleet operator (with Many large operators such as rental companies will operate their own workshops. A large
workshop) company that has lots of cars, used by sales reps for example, may also have their own
workshop and technicians
Non-franchised dealer Main activity is the servicing and repairs of a wide range of vehicles, with some sales
Main dealer or franchised Usually franchised to one manufacturer, these companies hold a stock of vehicles and parts.
dealer The main dealer will be able to carry out all repairs to their own type of vehicle as they hold
all of the parts and special tools. They also have access to the latest information specifi c to
their franchise (e.g. Ford or Citroën). A ‘franchise’ means that the company has had to pay to
become associated with a particular manufacturer but is then guaranteed a certain amount of
work and that there will be no other similar dealers within a certain distance
Multi-franchised dealer This type of dealer is just like the one above, except they hold more than one franchise
(e.g. Volvo and Saab)

Breakdown services The best known breakdown services in the UK are operated by the AA and the RAC. Others,
e.g. National Breakdown and many independent garages, also offer roadside repair and
recovery services
Motorists’ shops Often described as motorist discount centres or similar, these companies provide parts and
materials to amateurs but in some cases also to the smaller independent repairers

1.2.3 Company structure

A large motor vehicle company will probably be made up of at least the following
departments:
reception
●
workshop
●
bodyshop and paint shop
●
parts department
●
MOT bay
●
valeting
●
new and second user car sales
●
offi ce support
●
management
●
cleaning and general duties.
●