Hybrid cars are all the rage and hybrid motorcycles are popping up at motorcycle shows, so who is going to fix them? People are starting to ask that question because in another year or so the first wave of hybrids will be coming off their lease and transforming into the next stage of the vehicle cycle, the used hybrid. I would imagine most will show up at the dealer they were purchased at but eventually these will show up on used car lots. “Take a look at this little creampuff, just driven to the organic food market on Sundays.”
The average mechanic isn’t familiar with this technology and you can bet a lot of shadetree mechanics are out of the loop on this one, too. Beyond that, think of the new motorcycle technology beginning to appear with automatic transmissions. How many bike mechanics know how an automatic works?
There’s an article about Macomb County Community College starting a program to train hybrid mechanics, but that is just the first of what will inevitably become many. Think about hydrogen, better get those guys brushing up on PEM fuel cells and high pressure hydrogen storage, while we’re at it.
Technology never did stand still but mechanics today have a lot of learning to do, fast.
coho says
I imagine quite a few cartwrights were caught with their overalls down at the advent of the horseless carriage, too.