NO TAKEOVER PLAN

A notice posted at the entrance of WH Car Service, located in Ferry Pen near the St Andrew-St Catherine border, now informs customers that the shop will only accept 30 vehicles per day. Those arriving after that quota are urged to return another day, it said.

Despite the cap, vehicles continued to line the roadside outside the Chinese-owned auto repair shop, as hopeful motorists – some from outside the Corporate Area – arrived as early as 5 a.m. on Tuesday, convinced that the service would prove more reliable and affordable than what’s typically offered by local mechanics.

“They are more honest. We are not going to get the attitude; the local mechanics give us attitude. I have been to three local mechanics since last month for a simple matter and it’s just attitude,” a customer, who gave his name as only as Lenny, told The Gleaner.

It was Lenny’s third visit to WH Car Service. He had arrived from St Ann’s Bay before 6 a.m. on Tuesday and, as of 5 p.m., was still waiting to be serviced.

Inside the shop, one of the directors, Ming Jian Chen, speaking with The Gleaner through a translator, explained that the decision to limit the number of vehicles per day was made to preserve service quality amid its rapidly rising popularity.

“We realise that too many people want to come in to check their vehicles, but we don’t want to low down our quality of the service,” he said.

He explained that WH Car Service is still in its pilot phase, having opened just two months ago. In that short time, it has already serviced around 1,000 vehicles.

Videos showing the long wait lines outside the shop have been circulating on social media, drawing even more customers.

SURPRISED BY RESPONSE

Chen admitted he was surprised by the overwhelming response, calling it “beyond my imagination”.

If he had known the response would be so enthusiastic, he told The Gleaner, he would have hired more mechanics and organised more material and equipment to repair vehicles.

Currently, 10 Chinese mechanics are employed at the auto repair shop.

Chen said their interest in establishing the business in Jamaica stemmed from the number of Chinese enterprises on the island that often “struggle because of car problems”. Their goal, he explained, was to offer more dependable, cost-effective solutions – and help raise the standard of car repairs in the country.

As a result of the enthusiastic response from Jamaicans – many of whom, he says, trust the team’s skill and honesty – Chen is already exploring expansion to other parishes.

“Some day in the future, we will try to bring our mechanic shops, ... garage to different cities, because that ‘s what we thought in the first beginning, to come here to help, to promote, to offer better service at cheaper cost and better quality,” he said.

However, he was clear that the intent is not to take business from local mechanics but to foster a partnership and share skills.

“Mechanics – fixing vehicles – it’s a skill. If Chinese mechanic and the Jamaican mechanic fixing skills mobilise, we can improve the whole industry. No matter when, no matter where, customers deserve a better option and better service,” he said.

He also revealed plans to hire Jamaican mechanics to work alongside the current team.

“We are expert in some areas, you guys experts in some areas. Together, we can be better.” he said.

He added: “China, we are a big country and we have all [kinds of] different industries from the top to the bottom. And all the different car brands, they all have factories in China, so definitely, we will have little bit more experience because we know how to make these vehicles.”

Among those hoping for that expertise was Christopher Blake, a customer from Portmore, St Catherine. He was seeking help for a persistent head gasket issue.

“I did carry to [local mechanics] but most of them didn’t know the situation because them have me running around. Some check di regulator leaking but, when mi throw di water in di regulator, I don’t see where the water go,” he shared with The Gleaner.

He said he arrived at the facility approximately 5 a.m. on Tuesday. This was his second day attempting to get service.

In addition to vehicle repairs, the company also rents out heavy equipment such as bulldozers and excavators, operated by Chinese staff. Chen said they also plan to start selling car parts in the near future.

“Right now, ... it’s hard for us to get the parts in local (Jamaica) because some of the parts, they are rare, and that’s one of the challenge,” he said.

Steve Holland, a Kingston-based mechanic of almost 30 years, believes the shop’s entry into the market could be beneficial – especially if it leads to more affordable car parts.

“It’s gonna be a competition between other companies that are bringing in parts, [but] it would be good if they bring it in and it should be cheaper,” he said.

Holland noted that, while he often purchases parts from China at low prices, the shipping costs – especially through Miami – are high and drive up what he must charge his customers.

He told The Gleaner that he doesn’t see the Chinese mechanics as competition, but rather as potential partners.

“It will be good if they do training also of Jamaican mechanics, [rather] than just setting up business, [and] getting customers,” he said.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com