Labor Rates

[titan2220]

Generally speaking, most aspects of auto repair have an associated labor rate attached. If your car is in a collision, you (or an insurance company) will pay
$X for body work
$Y for paint labor
$Z for paint supplies

and if you require mechanical work, there is typically is a posted labor rate.

Has anyone come across, or agued that "software only" updates done at the dealer should be subject to a rate other than the mechanical rate?
I know most software issues are covered by Ford, but say I wanted 21P22 done, and it has now expired, what rate would you expect to be charged?

Just curious

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[MellowJohnny]

Careful what you wish for!

Labour rates *should* be roughly tied to the skill required to perform the task, all things being equal.

In this case I guess it depends on the skill set required to do the updates. Can anyone with basic technology skills do it? Do they simply plug in a USB, wait a few hours, then hope for the best?

Cars have been getting software updates at dealerships for years, and so far I have not come across a dealer that I’ve dealt with who charges a different rate for software vs. traditional mechanical work.

To answer your question, I’d expect the shop “mechanical” rate.

 

[RickMachE]

You will pay the full hourly rate. Your argument for a software rate will fall on deaf ears.

 

[A-A-Ron]

I’m sure your dealer can give you an EV technician rate higher than the standard shop rate if you’d like. It’s probably coming anyway.

 

[heisnuts]

When Ford warranty is paying the dealership for software updates it is the exact same rate that they would pay the dealership to diagnose and replace a high voltage batter junction box. So I don't see a dealership offering to charge a lower amount to a customer to update software.

 

[RickMachE]

Most dealerships have a limited number of EV techs, who have to take advanced training. When they get to the Ford Model e in 2024, I expect those labor hours to be higher than the rates today.

 

[bshaw]

The dealerships around here are booked out weeks in advance.
If my MME is taking up one of their bays/techs for pure software updates, then there’s a mechanical job from a different customer that is waiting for a spot.
For that reason, I don’t think you could argue that software should cost less.
Like others have said, it’s going the other way and the EV tech work will command a premium, not discount in the future.

 

[titan2220]

I wasn't asking if it should cost less, just was wondering if anyone has experienced a different labor rate.

Funny, both dealerships I've had software updates done, they actually park them next to the service advisors in the entrance bay! Kind of cool dropping off my car seeing the setup up front.

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