Automobile service providers warn of disruptive trends

Leading members of the Sri Lanka Automobile Service Providers Association (SLASPA) say they have observed several disruptive trends in the country’s automobile industry and the time has come for the transformation of Sri Lanka’s automobile repair services.

Addressing the media in Colombo on Thursday, Secretary of SLASPA Sunil Devasurendra, said: “The present macroeconomic challenges caused by the pandemic have impacted the local automobile repair and maintenance industry. We see a price increase for every relatable aspect of the industry —from lubricants, body parts, material, fuel and other equipment costs to labour charges of technicians. This has resulted in vehicle owners compromising the quality and safety of their vehicles by choosing cheaper and low-quality auto repair and maintenance options due to price increases. Even amidst an economically-challenged period, the SLSPA does not encourage this. You put yourself and your loved ones in danger if you try to save money on DIY repairs.”

Several disruptive trends and automotive industry challenges were poised to transform Sri Lanka’s automobile repair services industry’s outlook for 2022 and beyond. Local auto repair shops that want to ensure tackling these disruptive trends and thrive in 2022 must take steps now to prepare their shops and their staff for a future in which transformative trends will drive it. The association pointed out that for the local industry to sustain business continuity, three key factors will play a crucial role in 2022 and beyond: professionalism, quality processes and procedures, and customer safety.

“To address these issues and sustain the industry’s momentum, SLSPA recommends three key elements— professionalism, quality processes and procedures and customer safety—for all industry representatives to adhere to. We need to be professional about our business, especially the pricing. The industry needs to properly analyse the market trends, global pricing patterns and set benchmarks to impose proper price controls. And these price changes have to be properly communicated to customers to avoid less friction between the client and the service provider,” Devasurendra said.

SLASPA President Amal Piyatilake said: “The automobile repair industry in Sri Lanka has a history of more than 100 years. Given the present situation of our island-nation, SLSPA believes that our industry could play a key role as a fundamentally crucial component of the overall economy of Sri Lanka, helping the country to thrive in these unprecedented times. Against this backdrop, our clear-cut vision for 2022 will provide a window of opportunity to address and resolve longstanding common issues confronting the trade collectively. We will endeavour to ensure an efficient, courteous and expeditious service to clients of the members whilst improving the standards and quality of our workshops.”

SLASPA Media Coordinator Shashika De Silva said that the general public should prioritise a SLASPA certified workshop for all the repairs and maintenance. SLASPA ensures that such establishments would carry out the repair or service in high moral and technical standards to keep the vehicle performing to its original condition for a longer period. SLASPA would also ensure that the organisation will independently assess all customer grievances or disagreements to ensure the vehicle owner’s interest is kept at the peak.

“Similarly, suppose consumers visited any NON-SLASPA workshop for any repair or maintenance job. In that case, they may be victimised by inferior repairs done according to financial benefits that favour the repairer or any other directives by third party financial interest holders. This may devalue their vehicle at resale and breakdowns at unknown times and places. At such a point, there would be no mediation opportunities to solve such calamities,” he said.