So in the article quoted by OP, and in other info pieces, Ford have said that to repair aluminum will be only slightly longer times than steel.
I understand that the shops have to purchase some extra tools and do some extra training.
But they do that every time a new model come out. You would not believe the special tool room with all the red plastic boxes Ford make dealers buy. And techs have to do some extra training on a new engine or trans or whatever.
So going by what this shop in the story did, double the labor time charge (Oh, wait..thats not enuff) lets double the per hour charge also. Can you imagine telling a customer I am going to charge you double the time and double the labor rate cause your ______ has that new fangled engine in it?? :@
This is out and out "gouging" like when a new model special unit(like certain Camaros or Corvettes or whatever come out) and the dealer just pads the price. Heck, the Dodge dealers even got away with that when the lowely PT Cruiser came out.. :S
Its their perogative to do it, but is it smart?
And it doesn't last, the insurance adjusters will not give them insurance work if they see the crazy discrepancy.
A few honest shops will set the price and the "gougers" will have to follow suit or just work on regular price steel body vehicles I guess.
That story was done(as are most)to get people fired up and talking and clicking on it so they can charge the advertisers more. It wasn't done to find the real answer to the question. All they have really done is exposed a dealership who openly gouges.
Not the best to attract customers.
