It was confirmed in early December that the first fully electric- powered Porsche is on its way.
That’s newsworthy, partly because the brand carries a strong image. But in reality, this is just one more vehicle being added to the now lengthy list of models that are either fully electric or use some form of electrified powertrain.
Add to this all of the new technologies available in our vehicles, and it becomes clear that service departments need to get up to speed with the new service and repairs required for these technologies.
Manufacturers are offering special training to keep up with specific repairs and general maintenance for each model, but does your team fully understand how these technologies work?
Your technicians have a good understanding of how a gas engine works and the basics of how to change an ECU, but electronic components are a whole different story. It’s tough to describe the necessary repairs if they sound like a foreign language.
In this new age of electronics, guesswork is costly — both for the dealership and for the customer.
When it comes to technicians, ensuring new hires have a strong understanding of electricity and electronics is now essential, while extra training for your current team is going to become an ongoing requirement.
Don’t wait for your OEM to come up with a solution. You need to take the lead and get ready now.
These new vehicles are not revolutionary, but they do represent a technical evolution that requires an extra set of skills.
In mid-November, Scott Keogh, Audi of America President, announced the company’s commitment to achieve at least 25 per cent of U.S. sales from electric vehicles by 2025.
This also rings true for Canada, and many insiders I have spoken with say they are committed to making those targets or even setting the bar higher.
It is up to you to make sure your dealership is ready at all levels.
