The Evolution of the Automotive Autobody Shop

In the beginning, there were craftsmen who bodied and painted automobiles by hand. This was a tedious and time-consuming process, but it yielded beautiful results. Over the years, however, technology has evolved to the point where today’s automotive autobody shops are able to do a much better job in less time. Read on to find out how this industry has changed over the years and what that means for dealerships like yours.

The first autobody shop was opened in 1898 by George Ehret, who is considered the father of the modern automobile collision repair industry. Ehret’s shop was located in New York City and specialized in repairing carriages. In the early 1900s, as cars became more popular, autobody shops began to pop up across the country. These shops quickly developed a reputation for being able to fix anything, and they soon became known as the “go-to” place for anyone with car problems. Today, there are thousands of autobody shops across the globe, and they play a vital role in keeping our cars on the road. Thanks to the skilled workers at these shops, we can often extend the life of our vehicles by many years.

These days, autobody work is all about speed and efficiency. In the past, fixing a dent or a scratch could take hours, if not days. But thanks to advances in technology, autobody shops can now repair your car in a matter of minutes. And the quality of the repair is often just as good as if you had taken your car to a traditional body shop.

One of the biggest changes in the autobody industry is the use of lasers. Lasers can be used to remove small dents and scratches, as well as bigger chunks of damage. They’re also great for measuring the depth of a dent so that repairs can be made with precision. In addition to lasers, autobody shops now have access to sophisticated computer software that helps them create accurate estimates and repair plans.

Of course, the biggest benefit of the new age of autobody work is custom. If you are a dealership and you haven’t scaled to custom, you are missing a dedicated pool of automotive owners who have the means to change your bottom line and add stock to your inventory that creates it’s own conversations, and will be one of the most clicked pieces of your inventory. Getting ready for the lot sweep? Why not host a Sunday meet for local car buffs….and by local I mean within 3 hours drive. Most owners will travel at least that far if it is on a weekend. Its a great way to find projects, create a local stir, add money to your local economy, and make sure you are the water cooler topic for weeks.

Trust is built. There are a few key things that dealerships can do to build trust with potential customers. First, it’s important to be upfront and honest about everything. This includes your staff, who are ultimately your best ambassadors. Second, dealerships should focus on providing excellent customer service. This means being responsive to questions and concerns, and going above and beyond to solve problems.

Finally, it’s important to show that you’re invested in the community. This could mean partnering with local businesses, sponsoring local events or donating to local charities. By taking these steps, dealerships can show potential customers that they’re trustworthy and worth doing business with.