Like many others, the automotive industry was significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and auto repair shop delays are the latest evidence of that. While pandemic-related shutdowns and cutbacks led to high new car prices and a used car shortage, there’s still reason to believe the pandemic’s effects aren’t gone yet.
Why are auto repair shop delays happening?
It’s true that much of the country has returned to a new normal following the major shutdowns and restrictions during the height of the pandemic. People are back to work and businesses are open. So why are there reports of auto repair shop delays here in Arizona and around the country?
Ultimately, the reason can be boiled down to two important factors: Car parts shortages and labor shortages.
- Car parts shortages – As you may remember, many manufacturers were required to shut down during the initial stages of the pandemic. That included car parts manufacturers. While this certainly influenced the production of new vehicles, it also affected vehicles already on the road. With cars and trucks still in operation, the demand for car parts didn’t slow down, even though production of them did.
Now, as production has returned to more normal levels, there’s a backlog of orders to fill. And for some parts, there’s even a shortage of raw materials required to make them. Add that to shipping delays and it’s easy to see how a simple unavailability of car parts could cause auto repair shop delays in a heartbeat.
- Labor shortages – In recent years, the automotive industry has seen a decline in the number of young people choosing automotive related careers. As older and experienced employees reach retirement age and leave the workforce, there are fewer trained technicians and other automotive professionals to take their place. This has led to an overall shortage of qualified laborers in the industry.
Now, add to that labor shortages caused by illness. Whether employees are out of work due to COVID-19 or another sickness, auto repair shop delays happen when the demand for repairs or maintenance is greater than what the current workforce can handle.
Can you still get affordable and efficient auto repairs in Tempe?
Absolutely! Even with labor and car parts shortages leading to some auto repair shop delays, it IS still possible to get your vehicle serviced. In fact, some experts say that due to the high prices for both new and used cars, you should focus on maintaining the car you already have in order to save money.
We heartily agree and recommend preventative maintenance to all of our customers. Simply following a regular maintenance schedule is a great way to keep your vehicle running safely and smoothly while extending its usable life. It could also help prevent some auto repair shop delays if small problems can be detected and fixed before they become bigger ones that require more extensive or expensive repairs.
If you’re looking for efficient and affordable auto repairs in Tempe, simply give us a call today or schedule an appointment online!
