TOPDON shares key industry insights in latest survey
TOPDON announced the results of its national survey of more than 3,000 professional automotive techniciand and DIY mechanics across North America. Conducted in September, the survey sheds light on repair challenges facing technicians in today's modern world, as well as key shifts in the adoption of tools that offer integrated, platform-based diagnostics capabilities.
Of those that participitated in the Professional Auto Technician survey, 66 percent has 10-plus years of experience, with 51 percent holding an ASE certification. For these technicians, 73 percent of pros said the biggest challenge facing them was limited OE data access, with 67 percent citing vehicle network and communication systems as the most difficult to diagnose. When it came to hybrid and EVs, 39 percents of pros found challenges with battery packs, inverters, and isolation faults, with ADAS at 33 percent.
As for trends shaping the future, 81 percent of respondents pointed to the increased use of OEM-secured gateways and encrypted vehicle systems, while 55 percent cited the growth of EV and hybrid vehicles requiring new diagnostic tools.
A word from TOPDON
“Our survey goal was to simply better understand the customers we serve and secure clear, actionable data that can better help us meet their needs in a rapidly changing industry,” said Chad Schnitz, Vice President of TOPDON US. “Among the key takeways is that despite decades of experience among our pro respondents, 73% cited a struggle with limited OE data access and other digital restrictions, not lack of skill.”
“The biggest obstacles that pro mechanics face parallel the features and functions they want in their current diagnostic tools,” Schnitz said. “For example, 68% of those surveyed cited a need for more in-depth, OEM-level diagnostics and coverage. Additionally, 46% want wiring diagrams and guided repair guides, and 45% would like to have faster scan speeds.”
“The adoption of new technology to work on vehicles is certainly evolving,” said Schnitz. “It’s clear that vehicles are getting smarter and more complicated to repair. It’s one reason why TOPDON has been working at the collegiate and trade school level, through our TOPUP Academic Program, over the last several years. We want to expose students to the advanced diagnostic tools that can make them more effective at communicating with car systems and accurately diagnosing the issues, thus fasttracking repairs. We also have a dedicted training team who travels the country offering free demonstrations and seminars on how to make the latest diagnostic tools an integral part of the repair process.”
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