Navigating the Technical Terrain: The Role of Subletting in ADAS Services

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) represent a leap forward in vehicle safety and performance. Yet, with great innovation comes the challenge of specialized servicing. At CmySkills, we’re keenly aware of these challenges and their impact on the automotive repair industry. This was the impetus for our latest survey conducted among our vibrant Instagram community of over 400,000 followers, focusing on the prevalence of subletting ADAS services.

Subletting: A Common Response to Specialized Demands

The survey revealed a significant trend: 80% of respondents indicated their shops regularly sublet more technical ADAS scanning and calibration tasks to third-party specialists. This statistic speaks volumes about the current state of the automotive service industry’s response to emerging vehicle technologies.

Why Subletting in ADAS Matters – Pros & Cons

The high rate of subletting underscores a few key points in the “Pros” Column:

– Technical Complexity: ADAS systems involve complex electronics and software, requiring specialized equipment and expertise that many shops may not have in-house.

– Quality Assurance: Shops are prioritizing quality and safety by seeking specialized services to ensure ADAS systems function correctly, reflecting a commitment to excellent service.

– Resource Management: Subletting allows shops to manage their resources efficiently, focusing on their core competencies while leveraging the skills of experts in the ADAS field.

The Cons of of subletting are important to understand as well:

• Longer cycle time:  subletting means your job completion is subject to the availability of sublet resources.  If you are not a priority (low volume) to your sublet provider, it slows cycle time, degrades throughput and could impact the KPI’s your shop has to manage to for insurers
• Higher cost:  Sublet costs are widely variable and having an inconsistent line item rate for scanning and/or calibration also impacts how insurers view the consistency of your work

The 20% That Stand Alone

Conversely, the 20% of shops not subletting may either possess the necessary technical capabilities or perhaps do not encounter ADAS servicing frequently. This highlights a divide in the industry—between those who invest in specialized in-house capabilities and those who strategically partner with other experts.

Conclusions 

The results point to a clear conclusion: The automotive industry is increasingly reliant on a network of specialized services to meet the demands of modern vehicle technologies. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity.

For shops, this may be a call to invest in training and equipment to bring ADAS servicing in-house, or to strengthen partnerships with trusted third parties. For technicians, it’s an opportunity to specialize in a field that’s in high demand. And for the industry at large, it’s a chance to elevate standards of safety and service quality.

The takeaway is clear: ADAS technologies have changed the game, and the industry must adapt through collaboration, education, and investment in specialized skills. At CmySkills, we’ll continue to support our community through this evolution, ensuring our followers are not just participants but leaders in the automotive service industry’s future.

Stay tuned to CmySkills for more insights into the automotive repair industry and connect with us on Instagram and our Facebook Auto Technician forums for regular updates and discussions.

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For those interested in staying updated with trends in the automotive repair industry, make sure to follow us on Instagram @CmySkills.   For more insights into the automotive repair industry, stay tuned to our blog at CmySkills.com, join the conversation on our Facebook Auto Technician forum and follow us on our rapidly growing groups on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn

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