“A modern repair shop isn’t just an old grease pit”

Henri Haapamäki, a motorsports jack-of-all-trades known for his career in auto racing, YLE’s rally broadcasts, and social media, keeps a close eye on trends across the automotive industry and holds repair shop and tire industry experts in high regard. He takes a very practical approach to his own car.

A car is a tool, not a status symbol

Although Haapamäki has gotten to know all kinds of cars during his career—and, for example, test-drives and showcases new cars in social media videos—in his own driveway sits a Ford Mondeo with over 350,000 kilometers on the odometer. People have often questioned his choice of car, especially at more upscale automotive events.

For many people today, a car is a status symbol, but Haapamäki sees things differently. “It’s not my style to buy a new car on credit and trade it in every two years. I buy a car, drive it until it’s done, and repair and maintain it for as long as it makes sense and is necessary,” he explains.

Thus, Haapamäki acquired his current Mondeo after careful consideration. “I work closely with a large car dealership, and I asked them directly what the latest Ford model was that didn’t yet have an AdBlue system or an EcoBoost engine. I wanted a car with a traditional, so-called ‘old-school’ diesel engine and not too many bells and whistles.”

As a buyer of a new car, you have to be prepared to pay not only for the price of the car but also for maintenance, service, and depreciation, Haapamäki points out.

Chinese competition is disrupting pricing models

Some car brands hold their value better than others—for example, traditional Porsches and Mercedes-Benzes have a relatively stable resale value. However, Chinese car brands are currently shaking things up as they are being aggressively pushed into the European car market.

Although Haapamäki does not believe we’ll see direct import restrictions at Europe’s borders, he is nevertheless convinced that Chinese cars will disrupt the traditional car trade and its profit margins. Chinese technology and the pace of its development should be taken seriously, Haapamäki says.

“I work a lot with robotic lawn mowers, and they’re experiencing a phenomenon similar to what’s happening in the auto industry. A mower from a traditional manufacturer might cost, say, 4,000 euros. Now the first Chinese alternatives are entering the market, priced at around 1,500 euros,” he explains.

Haapamäki has noticed that even first-generation Chinese products can feature highly advanced electronics. In addition, Chinese manufacturers respond quickly to feedback and continue to improve their products. The product quickly becomes high-quality, while the price remains at a completely different level. The same could happen with cars.

“We tend to assume that a Chinese product is automatically bad. However, this isn’t always the case. From China, you get the quality you order—and are willing to pay for.”

Valuing Expertise in the Automotive Industry

Haapamäki values the expertise of professionals in the repair and tire industries. He is skeptical of the trend where repair shops are adding tire services to their offerings and tire shops, in turn, are starting repair operations.

“I’m used to a model where one company focuses on one thing. I don’t think it’s ideal for, say, a summer worker or a mechanic who’s just started on the job to change a car’s oil and, at the same time, be tasked with choosing new tires for it. There’s a risk that the tires will be chosen completely wrong—for example, by using ChatGPT,” Haapamäki says.

“If another professional has been working with tires for 40 years and has continuously kept up with developments in the market, tire technology, and regulations, I trust their expertise more. I believe every field should have its own expert who truly masters that specific work.”

Insights from The Factor Days for Everyone Interested in the Automotive Industry

Haapamäki has extensive experience collaborating with various automotive industry experts. This is also evident in his work at The Factor Days, where Haapamäki has served as a host for several years. This year, he’s producing videos for the The Factor Days event, which will be published on AAPT’s channels and shared on Haapamäki’s own social media channels.

“I’ll be interviewing five participants at Creators’ Days. I’ll ask the companies what they do and what they’re bringing to The Factor Days,” Haapamäki explains. “The goal is to get repair shop professionals out and about and show how much effort has gone into the event’s content.”

Haapamäki emphasizes the significance of The Factor Days as a unique trade show where the booths offer more than just candy and pens. “It’s a whole different experience to bring an actual car to the event, take it apart, and demonstrate hands-on how to, for example, glue a windshield, paint it, or replace a wheel bearing,” he emphasizes.

Although many people are interested in vehicles and their technology, Finland is simultaneously facing a persistent shortage of mechanics and young people who would choose to study the field and commit to a career in it. However, people from all walks of life should get to know the auto repair industry, even if it’s just through social media videos and events.

“Many young people probably have the impression, for example, that repairing heavy-duty vehicles involves nothing but constant, grueling physical labor. We need to change that perception,” Haapamäki urges. “Maintaining and repairing a new truck isn’t just about constantly moving parts that weigh a thousand kilograms. The job also involves replacing electrical components and small, lightweight parts.”

“We should show that the work can be done in a polo shirt in a clean, well-lit repair shop. A modern repair shop isn’t the same old greasy pit it might have been 20 years ago,” Haapamäki notes.