When Super Isn’t So Super
I’ve been reading up a little on the “Super Warranty” issue, which, I must admit, I had never heard of until my Assistant Editor mentioned it. Super Warranties are being mandated by more and more states to cover automotive emission-control systems for 15 years or 150,000 miles, and independent repair shops in those states are not pleased.
The idea was hatched in California, where the Air Resources Board (CARB) decided that it would be a good idea to keep emissions-control hardware under warranty longer. And it is a good idea: People are keeping their vehicles longer, so it makes sense, from CARB’s point of view, to do everything it can to ensure that those vehicles will be running clean for their entire lives. Super Warranties can make sure that this happens, and 11 other states seem to agree, because they’ve adopted similar regulations as part of their clean air initiatives.
But where does that leave the independent service provider, who currently makes a lot of coin repairing emissions-control systems? If vehicle owners are compelled to return to the dealer to get their emissions-control systems maintained, the logic goes, they are likely to have all their service needs taken care of at the dealer, killing two birds with one stone. The independent shops lose out twice: once on the emissions-control work, and twice on the additional service work.
I’m not sure where I come down on this. As I said, I do think the Super Warranties make sense, from a clean air point of view. But I also understand why independent service providers might feel they have had the rug pulled out from under them. It just goes to show you how hard it is to find solutions to the complex issues facing our transportation industry, and our country. Can there possibly be a way to have clean air that doesn’t make someone unhappy?
May 1st, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I run 3oo Tractors and 700 trailers, If I had to depend on OEM shops I would be out of business. They charge way over the top, I can’t get it right most of the time. I have had to tow trucks out of these shops 50% of the time. Just a couple of weeks ago, I had a truck at a dealer in Northwest. 6100 dollars for a radiator core and fan hub. Next week had another one, Its cost was 2800.00 Monoply is not better look at the cost of fuel. Get real. Jim Andrus
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:36 am
Can independent service providers become OEM certified? There are some dealers I rather NOT take my vehicles to for warranty issues or services. The dealers do “take you to the cleaners” for repairs and services! There are independent shops that do excellent work at a reasonable cost. I rather pay them the money and have it done right the first time instead of taking the vehicle to the dealer 10 times for the same issue! Automotive Emission-Control Systems have come a long way and lasting longer. If automotive vehicle is well maintained, the pretty coin you pay for a longer warranty… is it worth it in the long run?
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Dealer pricing: I have worked at both OEM and independent. Even though we think the dealer is a “rip off”, with the government hounding about longer warranties-the dealer/factory has to cover those expenses somewhere. Super warranties will increase the price of new vehicles as well. When the vehicle is in the shop for a warranty item-the cost of the other non-covered repairs will be even higher!! Nothing is free in life not to mention all the taxes the government will loose when the independents go out of business/parts stores/etc. Imagine the job losses. Whats wrong with buying something and having to pay for repairs/maintenance. Guess boats/houses/lawn tractors/snow mobiles should have super warranties as well.