When picturing an auto mechanic, what comes to mind for many is an image of someone covered in grease, bent over an engine bay with a spanner in hand. But step into a modern retail dealership today, and you’ll see a completely different reality.

“Today’s automotive technicians spend as much time analysing diagnostic data on high-powered laptops and tablets as they do turning a spanner”

says National Automotive Dealers’ Association (NADA) Chairperson Brandon Cohen.

“As vehicles have evolved from purely mechanical machines into complex computers on wheels, the role of the technician has undergone a quiet revolution – turning a traditional trade into one of the most dynamic, high-tech careers available to young people today.”

From Carburretors to Microprocessors

To understand how much the role has changed, you only have to look at what’s driving the modern motor car. The difference between older vehicles and today’s high-tech models is night and day:

• Pre-1980s: Older cars relied entirely on physical mechanical systems. Fuel-to-air mixtures were adjusted manually via carburretors, ignition timing was set by physical breaker points, and even windscreen wipers or door locks were tied to analogue switches and vacuum lines.
• 1980s–1990s: Driven by early emission regulations, automakers introduced the first Engine Control Units (ECUs). A single, low-powered processor managed basic fuel injection and spark timing, while the rest of the car remained mechanical.
• 2000s–2010s: As safety and comfort features expanded, separate computer modules were introduced to manage Anti-lock Braking Systems (ABS), airbags, and automatic transmissions, all linked by internal wiring networks.
• Today: A typical modern car now packs between 30 and 80 individual computer modules. Flagship models, advanced luxury vehicles and modern New Energy Vehicles (NEVs) can feature well over 100 to 200 ECUs. These govern everything from Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), radar, and camera modules to over-the-air software updates and battery management systems.

The modern Master Technician

Because vehicles now integrate internal combustion engines, hybrid systems, high-voltage battery technology, and complex software networks, the expertise required to diagnose and maintain them has evolved.

“Today’s automotive master technician can legitimately be compared to a medical specialist in terms of the duration, intensity and continuous learning required to excel. They are part mechanical engineer, part software analyst and part electronics expert. Diagnostic work requires deep critical thinking, code interpretation and systematic troubleshooting across multiple digital systems”

says Cohen.

“Yet, despite this technical complexity, South Africa faces a growing scarcity of qualified automotive technicians. A key barrier is the persistent stigma surrounding technical trades. Unlike in countries like Germany and Switzerland, where artisans and technical specialists are held in high esteem and viewed as crucial drivers of the economy, technical occupations in South Africa have historically faced a perception problem”

he adds.

Shifting the Mindset

Through initiatives such as NADA’s Motoring Mavericks, the retail automotive sector is working to dismantle these outdated stereotypes and showcase the true reality of the modern retail automotive sector.

The automotive workshop is no longer just a place of manual labour. It is a high-tech lab offering clear, lucrative career pathways. For young people who are passionate about technology, problem-solving, robotics, and innovation, a career as a modern automotive technician offers:

• Cutting-edge skills: Mastery across internal combustion, hybrid and full electric vehicle (EV) architectures.
• Job security: Qualified technicians who understand complex ECU diagnostics and high-voltage systems are among the most sought-after professionals in the country.
• Continuous growth: As connected, autonomous, and electric vehicle technology advances, technicians are constantly upskilled, making it a dynamic, future-proof career.

“It’s time to rethink the trade,” says Cohen.

“The modern technician isn’t just fixing cars. They are maintaining the complex, computerised mobility systems that keep South Africa moving.”