s the automotive industry dying for technicians? In this video, we break down the latest controversial statements from Ford CEO Jim Farley regarding the “Right to Repair” movement and corporate control over vehicle maintenance.
While auto manufacturers claim modern cars are too complex and dangerous for regular consumers or independent shops to fix, the real motive appears to be controlling the repair market long after your warranty expires.
We also take a deep dive into the massive mechanic shortage across North America. Why are skilled technicians leaving automotive dealerships in droves? From stagnant wages and poor apprentice treatment to the relentless pressure of fast-evolving vehicle tech, we explore why the automotive trade has become an incredibly stressful environment. If you’re a mechanic looking for better pay, less stress, and more respect, find out why transitioning to a heavy equipment or heavy-duty mechanic role might be the best career move you ever make.
Don’t forget to like, comment with your own shop experiences, and subscribe for more trade insights!
Right to repair, Ford CEO Jim Farley, auto mechanic shortage, automotive technician career, heavy equipment mechanic, dealership mechanics secrets, why mechanics quit, mechanical trades vs automotive, car repair laws, heavy duty technician, trade school advice.
0:00 – Introduction: Ford CEO Jim Farley’s comments on car repairs.
0:07 – The Right to Repair debate and corporate control over vehicle maintenance.
0:48 – Dissecting the complexity of modern vehicles vs. older models.
1:38 – Mentioning industry advocates (like Louis Rossmann) and the John Deere situation.
2:26 – Learning through experience, common repair mistakes, and relying on dealership tools.
3:11 – The rapid evolution of automotive technology compared to other trades.
5:01 – Wage discrepancies, the mechanic shortage, and mistreatment of apprentices.
5:40 – Why automotive dealerships view mechanics as replaceable numbers.
6:30 – Personal experience transitioning from automotive to underground heavy-duty mechanics.
7:00 – The stress of the automotive industry and being forced to discount labor.
8:05 – Final advice: Why you should switch to heavy equipment repair.
#RightToRepair #Ford #Mechanic #AutomotiveIndustry #CarRepair #FordMotorCompany #TechnicianShortage #LanceMechanics
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Do you think vehicle owners should always have the right to repair their own cars, or have modern vehicles become too complicated? Curious to hear from mechanics, DIYers, and dealership techs on this one.
They are doing recalls or trying to fix garbage?
They want mechanics or slaves?
First off, I don't know what Ford's CEO intentions were when he said that and I hate to play devils advocate, however… Certified EV and hybrid dealerships are required by the manufacturer and industry safety standards to have what's called an "EV/Hybrid Insulated Body Rescue Hook" often called a "hot stick" or sometimes nicknamed the "Technician retrieval tool" in their service bays. This tool exists to save people working on hybrids if they poked or touched something they shouldn't have. The batteries in hybrids can put out anywhere from 200V to 800V DC. If you poke around in the wrong place… Yes, I'm sure you know DC voltage at that level can very well kill you. Fortunately, manufactures do try to make it rather difficult to gain access to spicy voltage making injuries rather rare. Exposure is more likely on a wrecked vehicle. But it is possible to get at that kind of voltage if enough stupidity is thrown at trying to do so.
HOWEVER… As of this writing, there isn't a hybrid bronco…. yet. Ford said they are going to deliver on the plan to offer a hybrid version of every model. And the electrified variants are expected to begin rolling out in late 2026.
Now, that said, is this what the CEO was getting at when he said that? I don't know. Is this what ford and GM CEOs were talking about with trump? Doubtful. I'm quite certain they were up to something nefarious. But to say working on modern vehicles such as hybrids CAN be dangerous isn't exactly a lie.
P.S. BTW, I am a retired, certified/recertified ASE master mechanic with over 25 years of experience, I first got into the field in the 90s. I left the field around 10 years ago and became a machinist. Best decision I ever made.
Our only chance is not to buy new.
The right to repair bill passed
Dealer wants $200 to change air and cabin filters that take 10 minutes
I've been a mechanic for nearly thirty years and I can absolutely say that not everyone should be allowed to work on their own cars. Some of the death traps I have seen over the years have made me think this way. There should be at least a weekend course to make sure you aren't an absolute moron before you can do it.
One thing never mentioned. Intermittent everything . At least in fleet if its not doing it right now it can either have all parts thrown at it or wait til next pm.
So the Blackrock puppets don't think we can do what we have been doing our entire lives…..got it.
Exactly why you don’t buy ANY new car! Integrate AI services and it will need repair vey soon.
Bill Ford is a huge problem, he is woke and is in love with Jim Farley, Bill Ford has assisted in the downfall of Ford. I will not buy another Ford product, they are on my do not buy list along with General Motors and Stallantis.
Easy for the multi millionaire Jim Farley to say, for the rest of us working class people we can't afford dealer prices. Jim Farley needs to be fired, he is the male version of Mary Barra of GM. Both have ruined their companies.
Farley went so far as to say it's dangerous for Ford owners to repair their own vehicles. If that isn't a damning admission of engineering malpractice, what is?
Speaking of engineering malpractice, the Lincoln dealer wanted almost $6,000 to fix the turn signal on my son's MKX. (Part of that was $800 for diagnosis and $3,400 plus "programming" for a headlight assembly.) Then the water pump started leaking. One independent shop quoted $2,200 to replace the pump. A second shop quoted $2,300 to $2,700. That's because replacing the water pump requires timing chain removal. What the %*$# is wrong with that company? I replaced the pump myself, logging the steps as I went — a total of 201 steps on the Lincoln to do a job that would have taken 25 minutes on my '97 Chevy truck. Luckily, my son has decided to drop the MKX like a hot potato, even as it continues to fall apart faster than we can put it back together. He's already bought an older Honda Pilot to replace it, and I can pretty much guarantee there's no new Ford anywhere in his future — or mine.
The guy is a total moron, and I hope he doesnt get any of those mechanics he desperately wants
With all the dud design and engineeriing coming out of Ford the past few decades (DCTs, wet belts…), why would anybody buy one anyway?
They wany b to corner all the money
They keep adding more computers to make it impossible
It is simple stop buying their vehicles. If I can’t work on it I don’t spend my money on it. Farley and gm ceo can piss off don’t need their junk.
The ford CEO can SHOVE IT.
When he says he can fix a 73 Bronco, honestly, looking at that guy, I'm not sure he could. He's just so dumb and out of touch with EVERYTHING i wouldn't trust him with a wrench.
You CAN teach someone to work on the old vehicles…. but they have to be willing to learn… and not a complete IDIOT…. so theres two reasons he probably can't
On newer vehicles, I do worry about pushing back the caliper pistons and causing errors with ABS / other brake problems. If in doubt, I just crack open a bleeder line. That way there is no backpressure going through lines. And, to do a really GOOD brake job you should be bleeding / flushing the brake fluid out, and dumping out some of the fluid at the beginning through the bleeder valve just gets a headstart on changing fluid.
Besides, the fluid at calipers is some of the dirtiest of all the fluid (and has been exposed to the high heat of hard braking), so is best to get that stuff out
Jim Farley should live in a van down by the river…… he's a failure.
I'm still working on gtfo of the industry. God, how much i hate this business. Sure, recently got a raise but still dealing w the same crap.
Since you can buy their IDS software online, try telling us again mr ceo guy
The CEO is full of shit. It's only a problem because the dealerships and shareholders lose money.
ford enough said
I exist only to hand Ford my money no matter how dreadful and poorly designed their products are . Jim Farley needs a 24th golden toilet …
Zombie industry collapsing fast.
Jim Farly is the worse CEO Ford has ever had in the modern times and they have had some past awful ones as well Jack Nasser comes to mind. I'm just a DIY guy, but I have a a few better scanners myself. I have been able to fix a lot of problems with some modern Ford vehicles I have had. I fixed a weird can bus problem on a Ford Fusion, before starting I knew nothing about can bus. I think you are right in what you are saying in this video its quite learnable, but you need to start with a good wiring diagram.