German Motors has been in business and Ng Choi Yoon has been one of the first members of staff to join the company. Hailing from Kuala Lumpur, he has always had a passion for mechanical and technical matters. “Currently, I am living in Kepong and it so happens that my wife also works in the automotive aftermarket industry.”
It was his father’s advice that one has to learn a skill in order to make a living that has set him on his career path. Back then, it was a lot easier, he says. When starting out, it was very much just a distinction between Diesel and Petrol cars, whereby the former has never been a popular choice for passenger cars. Much of the repairs one would carry out back then would be of mechanical nature. “Today, you have hybrids, you have more brands, and more and more electronics are used in a modern car. It is no longer about mechanical issues but understanding software and how the electronics make the car work.” This means that Ng will have to constantly update himself and learn new ways and about new technology.
The changes in technology are also somewhat reflected in the job titles. Previously, working in a workshop, one would be called mechanic, indicating that this job is about mechanical matters. As one will now learn about electronics and software, a trained operator would be called technician. “Even then, I would still constantly have to engage with the subject matter.”
What Ng finds interesting is that modern cars are much more about wiring and electrical engineering. In his view, an engine repair is something that most could do; however, finding problems with electrical components and wiring requires higher skills, specialist tools (and the knowledge how to use these tools) and finesse. “This is where we add value here. We have a range of diagnostics tools, and we are constantly training on how to use them. Being able to quickly and accurately identifying an issue means that we don’t overcharge our clients.”
Visiting German Motors is always exciting as the range of cars waiting to be serviced is always exhilarating. One vehicle however stood out for Ng, as he recalls working on a Mercedes GT, which suffered some severe water damage. Because of the damage to the engine from driving through water was severe, the work done to the car was extensive and very time consuming. However, in the end, Ng and his team were able to return the vehicle to its owner in perfect running condition.
We all spend a lot of time in our respective places of work. For Ng, German Motors is like a second home. “What I like the most working here is the atmosphere, the team spirit that we have. From day one, the owner was more of a mentor than a boss. This is what makes it fun and exciting to work here and I hope that our clients also feel the same when they bring in their vehicles.” In order to stay competitive, this should be the approach in Ng’s view, whereby the learning, the sharing of knowledge is paramount to the success of a modern workshop.
