One of Europe's leading training providers is coming to Ireland, offering a new resource, to help aftermarket operators keep on top of all the latest automotive technology. "New Technology Seminar" is the first course offered by eXponentia on the 15th of July at the Green Isle Hotel, Dublin 22. Autobiz spoke to eXponentia's Steve Carter, one of the UK's premier Automotive trainers, to find out more.

The rapid pace of change in automotive technology is making many independent
aftermarket operators in Ireland more than a little fearful about the future. They are all too aware that unless they keep up-to-date with the latest developments, sooner rather than later, they are likely to be faced with problems on different vehicles they simply won't know how to fix. So it will come as welcome news that a new automotive training initiative is being brought to Ireland by leading European training provider eXponentia. The even better news is that the courses will be delivered by Steve Carter, one the UK's premier automotive trainers.  

Steve has spent all his working life in the motor trade, having completed a mechanical apprenticeship with Fiat before going on to work in various garages. His great technical aptitude then saw him move into the vehicle diagnostics field on the product development side, and it was here that Steve first saw the need for quality training. He says, "When I was working in diagnostics, I quickly became aware that no matter how good the equipment is, it can only tell a technician so much. Operators need to have an overview and understanding of the systems they are trying to fix and this can only be achieved through training."

It was therefore a natural progression for Steve to move into training, where he has been responsible for the development of some of the most respected and successful automotive training programmes in the UK. He now heads a team that is the sole UK and Ireland training provider to eXponentia.  eXponentia is a non-profit training organisation, backed by top tier aftermarket manufacturers Gates, MS Motor Service International, GmbH, SKF, Tenneco, TRW and Valeo, with Johnson Controls, who make Varta batteries the most recent addition. All of these backers are front line OE suppliers to the vehicle manufacturers and thus have a unique insight into both technology on the latest vehicles and the technological developments coming down the line.

eXponentia offers training to the European Aftermarket with a range of courses covering everything from vehicle electrics, through engine management and air conditioning to advanced diagnostics. Steve sees this type of training as offering a genuine lifeline to aftermarket operators as the industry heads into uncharted technological waters. He comments, "Vehicle manufacturers are not always good at passing on information to the aftermarket, so getting training and information backed by original suppliers is hugely important."

To illustrate his point about the rapid changes taking place, Steve quotes an example from a recent UK trade event where he had on display three of the latest vehicle components. He says, "We had an electric water pump, a combined alternator - starter motor and an EGR valve with heat exchanger. Of the 1,000 or so technicians who attended the event, no single person was able to successfully identify all three components."

With fundamental changes taking place in vehicle technology, unless they are trained, Steve says there is a very real danger that independent aftermarket operators simply will not know how to fix certain problems. They may also try to find solutions working on incorrect assumptions about vehicle systems and this is likely to prove both time consuming and costly. He points out, "New technology components can be hugely expensive, and so the financial implications are very serious if you end up replacing the wrong parts because you do not have the right knowledge and fault analysis skills."  He adds, "I can already see a fear factor creeping in with some technicians when confronted with new systems, but with the right training it doesn't have to be like that." Steve explains that through training, technicians can get an understanding of new automotive technology and this knowledge can in turn mean greater confidence and huge savings through cutting out mistakes.

Steve highlights some of the developing technology that will play a massive role in the aftermarket in the coming years. He says, "Diesel particulate filters are going to be a key issue from here on and they are already causing some serious reliability issues, so a good understanding of DPF is vital." He adds, "Euro 6 emission regulations are just around the corner in 2014 and this will mean a whole raft of new technology, some of it relatively untested, as the VMs strive to achieve NOx reduction targets."

Stop-start technology, new generation batteries and energy recovery systems are all things that will feature on just about every new car from now on, and this is another area where technicians will have to get to know new systems and components. Added to this is the whole area of Hybrid vehicles which require a totally different technological prospective. Steve says, Not only do you need a real understanding of hybrid systems to fix them, but you also need to be aware of the genuine dangers they can pose. For example, the inverter on some Hybrids remains active for 15 minutes after disconnection and can deliver a potentially fatal shock, while hybrid motors contain immensely powerful magnets which can be very harmful if handled incorrectly."  

As well as providing knowledge on new technology, Steve also sees training as vital to businesses to get the best return on investment. He points out that many garages spend thousands on repair and diagnostic equipment, but never maximise the potential of this investment because they do not provide comprehensive training. He says, "A technician might know the fundamentals of operating a particular piece of equipment, but without a broader knowledge of changing technology, he is unlikely to get the most out of it."

The eXponentia training initiative will kick off in Ireland with a New Vehicle Technology Seminar on Friday the 15th of July in the Green Isle Hotel, Newlands Cross, Dublin 22. This one-day seminar is suitable for technicians, service managers, parts employees, customer advisors or anybody in the motor trade.

The course is designed to give an overview and understanding of new vehicle technology in a seminar format, but using real life new components as props, to provide a unique practical insight. Steve says, "As well as getting to grips with technological developments, the course will also provide some very useful tips and information, that will genuinely help you fix cars."