U n i t 1 L e s s o n 1 : I n t r o d u c t i o n t o A u ...

Unit 1 Lesson 1: Introduction to Automotive Technology

Table of Contents Introduction 2

Essential Questions 3

Bench Marks 3

General Notes 4

Overlook 5

Blueprint 6

Gear Up! 12

Check Up 17

Production Time 18

Recap 20

Bibliography 22

Glossary 22

1 Copyright © 2018 Quipper Limited

GRADE 7/8

Automotive Technology in Our Everyday World

Introduction

Fig. 1 Fixing car machines - one of the most common automotive service

source: http://avshertford.co.uk/ The automobile is an essential characteristic of the ever-changing times of society. In the Philippines, it is extremely evident that automobile production improves alongside modernization. For example, early Filipinos used carabaos for travel. During the Spanish era, the kalesa was the most common means of transportation. And in the present, large highways such as EDSA are overpopulated with different versions of cars. The relevance of the automobile transcends more than the means of transportation. The automobile represents the natural desire of humans to be independent, to express their style,


to flaunt their economic status, and to go on adventures. But the most practical significance of the automobile is the career opportunity it presents. In a study made by the Department of Trade and Industry, the auto industry directly employed 8000 workers in automotive manufacturing and 68,000 jobs have been created. In this chapter, you will learn basic concepts in automotive, different products, and services available in the automotive market and the various career opportunities in automotive servicing that best fits your personality.

Essential Questions

● What is the relevance of automotive technology in our life?

● What are the basic concepts in Automotive servicing?

● What are the characteristics of an automotive technician?

● What are the different products and services available in the automotive market?

● Who are the customers of the auto industry?

● What are the businesses you can start in the auto industry?

● What are your possible career paths as an automotive technician?

Bench Marks

In this lesson, you should be able to:

● Define automotive technology and its basic concepts; ● Recognize the relevance of automotive technology in our everyday life; ● Identify the characteristics of an automotive technician; ● Classify the characteristics of an automotive technician; ● Clarify the type of work that differentiates automotive technicians from other

technology-related careers; ● Apply the characteristics of an automotive technician and relate own skills and

characteristics;


● Differentiate products and services that the automotive technology field can offer; ● Integrate the possible target market or customers of these products and services; ● Evaluate own interests and skills in relation to suitability of the career in automotive

technology; ● Create own SWOT analysis in identifying strengths and weaknesses in automotive

technology; and ● Design a business plan in relation to automotive technology.

General Notes

● The scientific method is the process of proving or rejecting the hypothesis through

observation, experiment and testing. ● Preventive maintenance is the regular check-up of the automobile to stop

complications from even happening in the first place. ● Automobile repair is resolving an existing problem in the automobile with a solution. ● Improvements or embellishments are gizmos and features that add value or raise

the efficiency of the automobile. ● Mechanical Engineering is a different course of study that involves the industrial

application of mechanics. ● Chemical Engineering is the industrial application of chemistry. ● Hydraulics is the practical application of liquid energy. ● Pneumatics is the study of mechanical properties of gases. ● Physics is the science that focuses on matter, energy and their interactions.


Overlook

Fig. 2. Futuristic car

Source: https://pixabay.com/photos/car-concept-vehicle-auto-speed-4169976/ In Robert Zemeckis’ hit movie “Back to the Future,” the main characters predicted that by 2015, the human race would have self-lacing shoes, floating skateboards and even flying cars. However, that prediction was not realized. Cars remain on land, and the sky is free from air traffic. But that does not mean that flying cars are impossible to create. Automotive technicians are driven to overcome this obstacle and send our cars way up in the air. As an aspiring automotive technician, are you up to the challenge? In the box below, try designing your very own flying car. Label the parts of your design and write a brief essay answering the question, “What makes your vehicle fly?”


My Flying Car

Blueprint

Discovering Automotive Technology The vast world of automobiles or cars started from a single thought: to move people and things from one place to another. As times change, more factors are added to its creation such as safety, design, comfort, and even the impacts on the environment. Without the development in automotive technology, humans would not be able to climb the ladder of progress as well. Automotive technology makes it possible for people to travel to their respective workplaces, to ship packages from one location to another, and for humans to explore all the wonders that the world can offer. Due to its close-knit relationship with human progress, automotive technology is an indispensable aspect of human life. In other words, the significance of automotive technology is that it expedites human progress by providing different modes of transportation.


Fig. 3. Automotive Technician repairing a car source: pixabay.com

The etymology of the word ‘automotive’ has two parts: auto and motive. Auto comes from the Greek word autos which means “self” while motive originated from the Latin word movere which means “to move.” Hence, automotive, from its dictionary definition, means self-propelled or more specifically, self-propelled vehicles. On the other hand, technology comes from the Greek word tekhnologia which translates to “systematic treatment.” Systematic treatment involves two concepts: the application of knowledge to produce discoveries that can make human life easier and of course, following the scientific method. Given this, the definition of Automotive Technology is the systematic treatment and study of self-propelled vehicles.

Now, do not confuse Automotive Technology with Automotive Servicing. While automotive technology is an all-encompassing term for all practices relating to automobiles or cars, Automotive Servicing pertains to the different modes of products and services that an


automotive technician can offer to the general market. There are three main services in the practice of automotive servicing: preventive maintenance, automobile repair, and improvements.

In the Philippines, the automotive technology focuses on the manufacturing industry. Which means that more attention is directed to the creation of parts and components of the automobile such as metal, electrical, plastic, rubber, and composite materials. The Department of Trade and Industry aims to make the Philippines more competitive not just in the country but also abroad. The Philippine Automotive Federation, Inc. or PAFI is the largest organization in the Philippines that represents our country in various international forums and coordinates with large and foreign-owned firms such as Toyota, Mitsubishi, Honda, Nissan, and Isuzu. Characteristics of An Automotive Technician Despite the unique attributes of an automobile, there is one common area among the design and efficiency of vehicles-- electronics. It is a branch of physics that deals with the emission, behavior, and effects of electrons and with electronic devices as defined in the dictionary. That is why an understanding of electronics is vital knowledge for all automotive technicians or practitioners. The technician must also be equipped with a deep understanding of different technologies such as mechanical (industrial application of mechanics) and chemical engineering (industrial application of chemistry), hydraulics (practical application of liquid energy), pneumatics (mechanical properties of gases), and physics (science of matter, energy and their interactions). An


automotive technician is a person who engages in different types of automotive servicing by applying different areas of knowledge while connecting with the clients for compensation.

As automotive technology continues to develop, the role of automotive technicians remains relevant in the society for two main reasons: first, there is a strong need for good automotive technicians who can produce quality work and second, regular routine service and maintenance are required for cars to function. Needless to say, an automotive technician must possess several characteristics to succeed in their field. An automotive technician must be analytical, logical, articulate, fit, clever, resourceful, compassionate, and sharp. He must also possess good time management and organizational skills and good work ethics. Table 1 provides a summary of these characteristics.

Characteristic Significance in Automotive Technology

Analytical must be able to analyze the different problems of an automobile and must recognize the proper steps to solve them

Logical must be able to apply theoretical knowledge into practice in a logical manner to minimize errors

Articulate must be able to communicate well with the requests of the clients and possess good communication skills

Fit must be able to lift auto parts and equipment

Clever must be able to create own style and technique in approaching different automobile problems

Resourceful must be able to use available parts and tools in the local market for purposes of speedy repair

Compassionate must have genuine care and understanding towards clients

Sharp must be able to react quickly to different situations throughout the process of the repair and maintenance


Time Management Skills must be able to produce quality work in an efficient and timely manner

Organizational Skills must be able to work in a clean and organized environment to avoid unexpected errors due to clutters

Good Work Ethics must have an overall excellent work ethics to maintain the smooth flow of operations since automotive technology is very technical in nature and one mistake can result in multiple errors

Automotive Technology as a Way of Life: Careers, Products, Services, Businesses

Fig. 5. Auto Repair Workshop. Source: pixabay.com

The common misconception in the field of automotive technology is that the career path that you can take is limited to the hands-on interaction with the automobile. In fact, automotive servicing branches out to different fields in the automotive businesses. In the Philippines, an aspiring automotive technician must complete a three-year postsecondary non-degree course in Automotive Technology.


The main product of automotive technology is, of course, cars but the manufacture of various car parts is just as valuable. In fact, car parts are the most common products of automotive technology due to its wide distribution in hardware stores. The main service of automotive servicing is to repair the automobile, but practitioners can also focus on preventive maintenance, improvements, or car upgrade. For example, a car race enthusiast seeks repairs from an automotive technician after a race but also desires the addition of embellishments on the car engine. Table 2 presents a summary of the different career opportunities in automotive technology.

Career Opportunity Details

Dealerships selling of the vehicles from the manufacturer to the customers while providing maintenance services for existing clients

Independent Service Shop management of a shop that is not connected to any particular automobile manufacturer that provides all types of services for vehicles

Franchise Repair Shop management of a shop connected to a particular brand of car manufacturer that provides limited services to vehicles bought from their brand

Store-Associated Shops management of a shop that offers automotive parts

Fleet Service and Maintenance management of a repair facility for a particular company (for example, a taxicab company can have its own fleet that handles all their maintenance work)

Service Technician performs assessment of vehicle problems, identifies the fault, and repairs the automobile or its components

Shop Foreman aids technicians with more complex tasks to maintain quality


Service Advisor communicates with customers in the center and resolves problems by providing consultations

Service Director overseas operations in various departments of the shop to secure profit

Parts Specialist sells auto parts retail and wholesale to customers in stores

Service Manager maintains the efficient flow of operation of the shop

Parts Manager keeps the inventory of the shop by ordering or outsourcing different parts of the automobile for smooth operation of the shop

Marketing and Sales tasked to advertise automobile to potential customers with the purpose of enticing them to purchase

Parts Distribution supplies automobile parts to different parts of the world

Trainers trains next generation of automotive technicians

Gear Up!

The Automotive Technician in You Now that you know the different characteristics of an automotive technician, it is time to focus on your characteristics. SWOT analysis is the most common tool to compare and contrast the internal aspects of the strengths and weaknesses and the external aspects of the opportunities and threats. In this section, you are going to assess your skills, talents and abilities by creating a SWOT analysis. By creating a SWOT analysis, you can easily compare your strengths and weaknesses to the characteristics of an automotive technician. In the diagram below you need to list your strengths and weaknesses and provide opportunities and threats. Follow the guide questions in each pane.


Strengths What are my positive qualities that can help me in the field of automotive technology?

Weaknesses What are the things I need to improve on to be an automotive technician?

Opportunities Enumerate the instances where the positive qualities that you listed above will help you succeed in the field of automotive technology.

Threats What will happen if the points on improvement that you listed above will not be achieved?

Table 3. SWOT Analysis

Now, compare your own SWOT analysis to Table 1. How many characteristics do you share with an automotive technician? Whether you share a lot of characteristics with an automotive technician or none of the characteristics, there is room for improvement in both instances. These abilities and traits can be harnessed through hard work and dedication. Your Own Automotive Technology Business: Customer Profiling and Business Plan

Fig. 6. A storefront of an auto shop source: pixabay.com

A business plan is a complete overview created by the business owner that contains all the details regarding the business that can serve as a guide throughout the whole business set-up


process. It must specify your target market, objectives, manpower, inventory, costing, forecast, business name, and other legal formalities. All great businesses start by identifying the target market of the business. It is generally the compass that will point your business in the right direction. Simply put, you must specify the customers that you wish to cater to. Generally, there are five types of customers:

● Investors ● Corporations and organizations ● Transport and Logistics Businesses ● Vehicle Manufacturers ● Private Vehicle Owners ● Stores

Investors are those who wish to create their own line or brand of cars. Corporations and organizations are entities that purchase different types of automobile to aid their own business objectives. For example, a sales company would purchase company cares to help their agents reach different locations where they could sell their products. The nature of transport and logistics businesses mainly revolves around the transportation of products and people for profit. The transportation law of the Philippines refers to this type of customer as “common carriers.” Vehicle Manufacturers will also be your customer as far as auto parts are concerned. Private vehicle owners would seek automotive servicing such as preventive maintenance, improvements and repairs. Lastly, stores will play the part of a reseller. For example, hardware stores can ask you to supply auto parts for the general market. After picking your type of customer, the next step is to create your business objective. Your business objective will help you define the identity of your business. It can also delimit the scope of your services to match your capital. For example, if you only have enough capital to run a repair shop, then it will only be limited to repairs and will not engage in improvements anymore. Once you have established your business objective, you must determine the manpower that you need which means that you have to specify the number of people in your staff. Then, make a list of your inventory. The inventory should contain all your tools, equipment and machinery. The next step is costing. The main purpose of setting up a business is to produce a profit. You must be able to identify the amount of money that the customers must compensate you for the services and products that you will provide. After costing, comes forecast. A Forecast is an


analysis of the supply and demand for your business. It provides a detailed plan for every month of the year. After that, don’t forget to name your automotive technology business that best suits its personality. Last but not the least, secure the necessary permits from the government to legally operate in your desired community.

Try This! 1. Give five characteristics of an automotive technician. 2. How many types of customers are there in the automotive industry? 3. Transport and Logistics Businesses are also called _____________ under the Philippine

transportation law. 4. The first step in creating your own business is __________. 5. What is the main purpose of setting up a business?


Tinker Time!

Fig. 7. Automotive technician at work source: pixabay.com

Your task is to interview an automotive technician. Your goal is to compare the conceptual characteristics of a practitioner from this unit to your interviewee. As an interviewer, you must prepare a questionnaire before the interview that will help you understand the characteristics and personality of your chosen practitioner. You need to convince your teacher that you were able to apply the learnings from this unit to your real life interview. The context you find yourself in is a face-to-face examination of a real-life practitioner. You will create an essay regarding your discovery in order to compare and contrast the characteristics of a practitioner in this unit and your interviewee. Your teacher will judge your work with the following requirements: a prepared questionnaire, a profile of the practitioner, and the essay.


Check Up

A. If the statement is true, type T and type F if the statement if false. 1. Dealership is a career opportunity in Automotive Technology. 2. The Department of Transportations and Communications handles the

automotive industry. 3. One of the characteristics of an automotive technician is analytical. 4. Automotive technology is the same as automotive servicing. 5. An automotive technician must possess a set of characteristics to succeed in this

field. 6. A practitioner does not have to communicate with his clients and focus only on

the automobile. 7. Automotive servicing is limited to repairs. 8. The business plan does not need to indicate costs. 9. There are a lot of misconceptions about career opportunities in automotive

technology. 10. If you do not possess the characteristics of an automotive technician, there is no

way that this field is your future.

B. Answer the following questions.

1. Define Automotive Technology. 2. Enumerate the five types of customers. 3. Give at least five characteristics of an automotive technician and explain why it is

relevant to the practice of automotive technology. 4. Give at least five career opportunities in automotive technology and describe each. 5. Define automotive servicing and give three examples.

C. Answer the following questions.

1. What can an aspiring automotive practitioner do to improve his skills in


automotive technology? 2. What makes a good business plan? 3. Why do you need to identify your target market or customers first before you can

start your business plan? 4. How is automotive technology connected to human progress? 5. Describe the development of the automobile in the Philippines.

Production Time

Designing My Own Automotive Shop

Your task is to design your own automotive shop from scratch. Your goal is to create an automotive shop that can operate in a Philippine setting. As the creator of this shop, you must be as detailed as possible in putting your shop into life. You need to convince your teacher that you were able to apply the learnings from this unit to this project. The context you find yourself in is the same scenario that a young automotive technician experiences in their career. You will create a business plan and an artistic interpretation of your shop - it can be in the form of an illustration, graphic design or a three dimensional model. Your work will be judged by your teacher if you met the following requirements: a detailed business plan following the format in this unit and a substantial compliance in the artistic interpretation.


Activity for Tech Corner

Fig. 8. Boss of a company source: pixabay.com

Now, imagine that you are an owner of an automotive shop, create your own organizational chart with the hierarchy of all the staff and workers that you handle. What will be their assigned jobs? How many people do you need? Decide the salary of each of your workers as well as their job descriptions..


Recap

Fig. 9. A typical independent shop organizational chart

Fig. 10. A typical large new vehicle dealership organizational chart


Fig. 11. Characteristics of an automotive technician


Bibliography

Burnett, John. (2003). “Core Concepts of Marketing.” New York: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Erjavec, Jack. (2009). “Automotive Technology A Systems Approach (5th Edition)”. New York:

Delmar, Cengage Learning. Halderman, James. (2012). “Automotive Technology Principles, Diagnosis and Service (4th Edition)”.

New Jersey: Pearson Education. Website: Department of Trade and Industry. “Securing the Future of Philippine Industries.” Accessed

October 30, 2018. url: http://industry.gov.ph/industry/automotive/. Department of Labor and Employment. “Automotive Technician.” Accessed October 30, 2018.

url: http://www.ble.dole.gov.ph/index.php/cg/66-automotive-technician.

Glossary

Automobile otherwise known as a car that moves people and things from one place to another. Automotive servicing pertains to the different modes of products and services that an automotive technician can offer to the general market. Automotive technology is the systematic treatment and study of self-propelled vehicles. Automotive technician is a person who engages in different types of automotive while connecting with the clients and for compensation. Business plan is a complete overview created by the business owner that contains all the details regarding the business that can serve as a guide throughout the whole business set-up


process. Dealerships is the selling of the vehicles from the manufacturer to the customers while providing maintenance services for existing clients Fleet Service and Maintenance is the management of a repair facility for a particular company (for example, a taxicab company can have its own fleet that handles all their maintenance work) Franchise Repair Shop is the management of a shop connected to a particular brand of car manufacturer that provides limited services to vehicles bought from their brand Independent Service Shop is the management of a shop that is not connected to any particular automobile manufacturer that provides all types of services for vehicles Marketing and Sales is tasked to advertise automobile to potential customers with the purpose of enticing them to purchase Parts Distribution supplies automobile parts to different parts of the world Parts Manager keeps the inventory of the shop by ordering or outsourcing different parts of the automobile for smooth operation of the shop Parts Specialist sells auto parts retail and wholesale to customers in stores Service Advisor communicates with customers in the center and resolves problems by providing consultations Service Manager maintains the efficient flow of operation of the shop Service Technician performs assessment of vehicle problems, identifies the fault and repairs the automobile or its components Shop Foreman aids technicians with more complex tasks to maintain quality Store-Associated Shops is the management of a shop that offers automotive parts Trainers train the next generation of automotive technicians


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