Cars have to work - even in times of crisis. That is why work is carried out in the workshops. However, sales rest in the car dealerships of the Nordland district.
Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen - Germany largely stands still, the lock-down due to the corona pandemic binds people to their homes. And yet the world has to keep moving: people in systemically relevant professions have to get from A to B quickly. For this reason, auto repair shops are systemically important. Mechanics and mechatronics technicians ensure that the cars work and are safe to drive. Nevertheless, car dealerships and workshops are struggling with the effects of the crisis.
One thing is clear: they cannot currently sell cars, at least not in their showrooms, because they are tight. And little goes online, says Tobias Graf, managing director of the Münsinger dealership of the same name. Only in individual cases are customers now looking around for a new mobile pedestal. “We now had someone whose car had rusted through. Another had an accident. We have created offers for both. So far we haven't sold anything - without a test drive. ”
Peter Müller does not concern the freeze. In his master workshop in Neufahrn near Egling, he only repairs cars - but this is currently being reduced: "We have work to do, but it's definitely quieter than usual." He estimates the order situation to be around 30 to 40 percent of the usual. “In particular, people with acute problems come.” With Müller, four mechanics work in the workshop, so far he hasn't sent any of his employees on vacation or short-time work. "At the moment, one of them is on sick leave longer - but not because of Corona." So far he has no intention of sending his people on short-time work, says de Kfz-Meister. Existence worries do not bother the Eglinger. "Sure, if the restrictions drag on until the middle of the year, things will get tough. But you also have certain reserves. We will keep ourselves afloat. ”Müller is happy that“ we are a free, not an authorized workshop ”. An advantage, he thinks, "because I'm not tied to anyone, I don't have to be accountable, just myself".
Corona: The numbers in the district
Tobias Graf and Walter Matl are bound with their car dealerships in Münsing and Königsdorf - respectively to a Japanese car manufacturer. However, both emphasize that the respective corporations are now not letting them down in times of crisis. "Nissan helps us," says Matl, for example, the interest-free periods would be extended and guidelines would be deleted. Graf also emphasizes the currently very good cooperation with Mazda. It is often the case that "the manufacturers demand, demand, demand". But now don't ask Mazda, but rather give.
The agreements that Graf had made with the Japanese at the beginning of the year, such as the purchase quantity of the vehicles, "have not been lifted, but have been distributed differently according to the season." The manufacturer's goals for the first half of the year should now only be achieved by the end of the year, says Graf. "That means that we can expect Mazda's bonus payments in the first half of the year, even if we don't reach the targets by then." After initial reluctance with the start restrictions, "people are coming back now," says Matl, although not as numerous like normal this time of year.
In the beginning, people "canceled a series of appointments," Graf confirms his colleague's impressions. "After a few days, however, people came to terms with the new situation, and now it is almost as if nothing is happening to us." The full team works in Graf's workshop - nine people. The administration also worked in full, "only the seller now has vacation".
Four employees and two apprentices in the workshop, a sales assistant, two permanent employees and an apprentice in the office are part of Walter Matl's workforce, two are currently on vacation. He has not yet registered short-time work. He wants to wait this month, "then I'll see what I do". However, the Königsdorfer is not afraid of the continued existence of his company, “that is still a little bit. Of course, if the crisis persisted until the end of the year, it would be fatal. But I can’t really imagine that. ”
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Tobias Graf also expects to “get out of the crisis with one black eye”. However, “no Corona case in between in the workshop should grapple with him. Because then we would have to close the service. ”In addition, it shows in times of need, in particular, whether a medium-sized company has“ managed properly and built up reserves ”in the past.
“70 percent full” is the BaderMainzl workshop in Wolfratshausen again. For this reason, Mario Gomolka brings back one or the other from the previously registered 50 percent short-time work. The service manager at the Wolfratshauser branch initially set up two teams, each working for a week and then staying at home for a week.
The boom in orders is probably also related to the weather, Gomolka suspects. The workshops, for example, were initially not allowed to change the wheels, but the very mild temperatures allowed them to do so. “Driving the right tires is for safety. A tire change is therefore a good reason to go to a workshop, ”confirms Gomolka.
The companies take all safety and hygiene regulations very seriously: the employees keep their distance, a newly installed plexiglass pane protects the employee at Walter Matl when accepting the order. At BaderMainzl, the vehicle keys are disinfected upon acceptance and the replacement vehicles after they are returned. In addition, customers can no longer get through to the service consultant. You fill out the orders yourself and hand them in signed. “We try to do most of the work by phone,” says Mario Gomolka. Overall, things are going well, “customers accept the situation”.
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