AAMCO pauses operations

The AAMCO shop in town has temporarily closed its garage doors due to a lack of mechanics and a possible ownership change.

According to owner Michael Pelts, the service center at 20145 N. John Wayne Pkwy., just south of Edison, paused operations after the July 4 holiday and expects to reopen at the end of July or in early August.

“It’s temporary,” Pelts said. “We’re trying to get some mechanics in there. We can’t open until we get some mechanics. And then there’s the issue that someone else might be taking it over. So, we have to suspend everything.”

Pelts said the process of hiring mechanics has been difficult.

“It’s everyone (having trouble finding personnel), even the dealerships are finding it hard to get mechanics – in fact they’re stealing most of the mechanics out there because they can pay more than most of us can,” he said.

Asked about the cause of the shortage, Pelts had a short and telling response.

“Because no one wants to be a mechanic anymore, and it’s too easy to trade in your car for a new one,” he said “The $3,000 it costs for a transmission, they can trade in their car and get six grand for it and get a brand-new car. The automakers have made it too easy to get new cars and they’ve stolen all the mechanics.”

Pelts’ plight is being felt nationwide.

According to a blog post by Mia Bevacqua, the chief mechanic and technical writer at CarParts.com, the shortage of automotive technicians stems from the fact that each year the automotive industry needs to add about 76,000 mechanics. About 46,000 are needed to keep up with growing demand, with other 30,000 to fill slots vacated through attrition.

Trade schools are only turning out about 37,000 new auto technicians annually, creating an annual shortage of around 39,000 techs.

AAMCO opened last summer in the midst of the pandemic.