The automotive industry is faced with a striking contradiction: on the one hand, sustainability in vehicle repair is being increasingly propagated - for example, through the use of used parts ("green parts"), which was recently called for at the Traffic Court Conference in Goslar - on the other hand, manufacturers' design philosophies are making it increasingly impossible to maintain them in the long term.
There is a problem with the control units: "Today's control units make it difficult for the vehicles fitted with them to ever become classic cars," warns Jan-Nikolas Sontag, Managing Director of the National Association of the Motor Vehicle Trade. "What good are green parts if the electronics - the heart of every modern vehicle - can no longer be repaired after a few years?"
There are various reasons for this phenomenon. It is impossible to imagine today's vehicles without complex control units. Vehicle electronics account for 30 to 50 % of manufacturing costs. A defective control unit does not necessarily mean the end of the entire vehicle. There are specialized companies that can repair defective control units.
Difficult to repair
However, their work is becoming increasingly difficult or even impossible. To name just two reasons. In the past, components from consumer electronics were used in the control units. These were produced by the billions and were therefore easily available as spare parts. Since the turn of the millennium, manufacturers have had these parts produced specifically for their needs - in small quantities. As a result, they are often no longer available after just a few years. The way they are manufactured has also changed. " Multilayer technology is increasingly being used for circuit boards. They consist of up to 30 layers. Nothing can be taken apart and repaired. Currently, overmolding is also increasingly being used, i.e. circuit boards are covered with a plastic compound. It should be clear even to the layman that nothing can be repaired," says Jan-Nikolas Sontag.
The consequences are clear. If the core components of modern vehicles can no longer be repaired, cars will not have a long service life. "That contradicts any idea of sustainability," criticizes Sontag. "While we are discussing used parts, manufacturers are building vehicles that are designed for a short life from the outset. To prevent this from happening, it is not only up to the manufacturers but also the political decision-makers to change course!"
Information about the association
The Schleswig-Holstein state association represents 17 motor vehicle guilds with almost 1,200 member companies, including approx. 250 petrol stations, and approx. 16,400 employees with approx. 3,300 trainees.
In addition to the important task of providing consumer information, the state association is the first point of contact for its members, regardless of whether it is a question of support for business start-ups, business advice, legal and tax issues, training and further education or regional public relations work.
Close cooperation with legislators, authorities, ministries and other organizations means first-hand information and assistance. Last but not least, the experts from the regional association negotiate the collective agreements for the employees in the member companies with the respective trade unions.
Further information can be found on the association's website.
