The Malaysian Insight

CAR workshop owners are facing challenges over a lack of manpower and cost prices that keep rising as they try to recover from hardship caused by the Covid epidemic.

They told The Malaysian Insight that their sales had dropped tremendously in recent years, and recovery has been slow. 

“As of now I am only able to secure 20% in business and I don’t see it growing anytime soon,” said workshop owner S.C. Lee, 53. 

“This is mainly because people are now not willing to spend on their cars as much as they did pre-epidemic,” he added. 

He said that the drastic increase in costs has affected everyone. 

“Back then, I used to buy a tyre from the supplier at RM360 and sell it for RM410. Now, a tyre from the supplier costs RM420, which means I have to mark up the price as well,” said Lee, who owns a workshop in Subang Jaya. 

Lee also said lack of manpower has been a big issue and locals aren’t interested in working in this sector. 

“Locals, especially the younger generation, are not interested in this industry, and the main reason is because of hard labour. 

“They prefer a desk job and keeping their hands clean instead of working at a car workshop. 

“I am not saying they are not interested in this industry. They are very much interested but they just don’t see themselves getting their hands dirty,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Muhammad Halim, 47, who runs a car workshop in Malacca, said his sales were only at about 15%. 

He added that the higher competition was also affecting business. 

“There are way too many workshops nowadays and customers tend to go to places with fewer people so they can get their cars quickly serviced. 

“The number of shops has increased over the years and it’s mostly run by those who used to work at car workshops.

“These groups of people will try to poach customers from their previous shop to the new one as they have a better relationship with the customer than the boss,” he said. 

Muhammad also said the costs of goods had gone up. 

“I used to be able to get spare parts for RM50. The price has now almost doubled. So we only buy spare parts, as they are required by the customers. 

“This will take more days for the customers to get their cars fixed,” he said. 

Meanwhile, Sashi Kumar, 52, who runs a workshop in Ipoh, said he may have to close down his shop. 

“My main issue is the lack of manpower and this has been going on for more than a year. 

“As of now I have my two sons and another foreigner working for me, but I need at least seven people to run my shop. 

“If I am unable to get any foreign workers by next month, then I have no choice but to close shop. 

“I have asked a few locals to work for me but after two days, they quit,” said Sashi.

Last week, the Human Resources Ministry said it was expecting the arrival of half a million Bangladeshi workers in Malaysia later this month.

However, the Malaysian Trades Union Congress said the arrival of these workers from Bangladesh would lead to uncontrollable levels of forced labour. – April 16, 2022.