IMPACT OF MODERN WORKSHOP PRACTICES ON PRODUCTIVITY OF AUTOMOBILE REPAIR WORKSHOPS

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of modern workshop practices on the productivity of automobile repair workshops in Abuja Municipal Area Council, the Federal Capital of Nigeria. The objectives of this study were to assess the extent of adoption of modern workshop practices and ascertain the level of productivity in selected automobile workshops. A survey research design was employed that utilized personal observations, questionnaires, and interviews to collect data from 15 MAWs and 15 RSM workshops. The findings revealed significant disparities in equipment availability and diagnostic capabilities between MAWs and RSM workshops. Results from the study indicated that 80 % of the MAWs have emission testing equipment, whereas the entire RSM automobile workshops under study did not have the equipment. The outcome of checks on the availability of ADAS calibration tools revealed that 73.3 % of the MAWs were adequately equipped with the ADAS tools, while 26.7 % were not. However, the checks on the RSM automobile workshops under study indicated that only 7.5 % of the workshops have the ADAS calibration tools. Additionally, MAWs exhibited superior productivity metrics than the RSM workshops, which included first-time fix rate (70.3 % vs. 29.7 %), rework rate (8.2 % vs. 91.8 %), and customer satisfaction index (68 % vs. 32 %). The findings have significant implications for policy makers and workshop owners on the need for standardized training of mechanics and equipment upgrading to enhance the Nigerian automotive repair industry’s productivity and competitiveness.