Make Your Voice Heard: Take the NEAR Industry Survey!

Make Your Voice Heard: Take the New England Automotive Report Industry Survey!

Nobody knows your auto body shop’s wins and losses like you do. Nobody knows your technicians and crew better than you do. Nobody knows your day to day struggles like you do. The same goes for the shop down the street; only he knows what he goes through every day.

But have you ever stopped to wonder how your situation compares to other shops from all over the state?

Well, there’s a very easy way to find out! The 2022 New England Automotive Report industry survey is here to provide collision repairers all across the Commonwealth with an opportunity to share their voices with their peers!

The survey made its debut in 2021, delivering results from Massachusetts shops who took just a few minutes out of their day to share their views on various industry components. Their input was featured in a two-part New England Automotive Report series that outlined where Massachusetts repairers stand on the labor rate, the tech shortage, technical challenges, insurer conduct and so much more!

Many interesting facts were uncovered.

Now, it is surely no secret that collision repair professionals feel that $40 is an inadequate labor reimbursement rate and have been fighting all year for change; however, the survey honed in on the fact that 77 percent of repairers believe they should get no less than $60 per hour, and 100 percent believe they shouldn’t get any less than $50. This serves as ammunition in the fight for a long overdue raise.

Last year’s results also brought to light that while the majority of shops struggle to find good technicians, 82 percent of respondents hired at least one person in the past year, and 39 percent hired at least two employees with 62 percent of those indicating they had to look multiple places – therefore showing other repairers that perseverance can pay off.

Want to know what the shop down the street does to promote his business? According to those surveyed, 64 percent are using word-ofmouth referral to generate business, and only 18 percent rely on social media, Google and Yelp.

Curious about what other shops value as most important when it comes to determining who to purchase parts from? Based on last year’s results, 92 percent rely on the relationship they have with their vendors.

But how has 2022 compared to last year? The automotive service industry faces new challenges each year, and this annual survey provides an opportunity for shops to share their own thoughts and learn about what others are dealing with when we publish the results in a subsequent issue of New England Automotive Report.

It only takes a few minutes to share your thoughts, and answers will remain anonymous. Take the opportunity now to complete the 2022 industry survey at https://bit.ly/NEAR2022industrysurvey. Your input matters!

PROTECTING CONSUMERS AND THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

MASSACHUSETTS