Self-Examination in the Great Recession
Many factors have reduced the number of vehicles we have to work on, resulting in a two-thirds reduction in the number of dedicated transmission shops nationally. The automakers have created lower leasing costs and longer vehicle warranties, which keep a large number of vehicles from needing our services. Government programs such as “Cash for Clunkers,” which was basically a gift to the automakers, removed about 750,000 vehicles from the market that we deal with. The improvements in manufacturing quality and design have produced vehicles across the spectrum that last longer and require less service.
