A skills gap is preventing garages across the UK from tapping the growing market for automatic gearbox servicing, according to a new study.
Conducted by parts manufacturer Meyle and analyst Innofact, the study found that 60% of UK workshops do not carry out services on 'auto gearboxes more than 10 times per week.
It said that 92% of those workshops need better training to carry out such works, while 83% said there was a lack of educational videos for their staff.
Notably, 89% said there was not sufficient customer demand, despite the growing prevalence of automatic 'boxes in new cars. According to car industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 71.3% of all new cars sold in 2023 were equipped with an auto. As those cars age, their maintenance will become the job of independents, rather than main dealers – and auto gearboxes are only trending upwards, as electric and hybrid cars account for a growing proportion of the new car market.
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