Automobile service station U.T.C, Kumasi

Over the years, advancement in science and technology has introduced a lot of sophistication into the motor industry and this has tremendously transformed and continually transforming the industry in many ways, all in the quest for safety, comfort, economy etc which are all part of the concept of modernism. The concept of modernism has led to the introduction and application of ‘hi-tech’ in solving problems in automobile design and assembly and this is reflected in all aspects of automobile design and assembly process. For example in the area of auto-body design, advancement in science and technology through intensive research has led to the introduction of the concept of aerodynamism in auto-body design which ensures that the motor vehicle encounters less air resistance during its movement as a result of the shape of its body. This according to research ensures greater speed with less power and fuel. There are other ‘hi-tech’ safety measures which have been incorporated into the auto-body design such as the airbag, belt tensioner, crumple zones, automatic braking system (A.B.S) etc. With regards to electronic features which were previously operated manually have now metamorphosed into electrically operated features. Example of these features include electric--windows, central lock in, electric seat adjustment, remote control (infra-red) key locks, electronically controlled fuel injectors etc. All these innovations aim at ensuring absolute comfort in these modern vehicles. In the area of engine and transmission, advancement in science and technology has transformed the traditional four or six cylinder engines into a more sophisticated multi-valve, turbo charged v-shaped engines with computer assisted four speed automatic transmission or five speed manual transmission. From the above discussion, it can be realized that as modern vehicles are constantly undergoing scientific and technological metamorphoses and the resultant sophistication day in day out, it is therefore imperative for automobile service stations or workshops where repairs, servicing and maintenance of these modern and sophisticated vehicles take place, to be abreast with time in terms of their access to modern diagnostic equipment, skilled and knowledgeable personnel as well as good management in order to ensure that these workshops are well equipped to meet the demands of these modern vehicles today and tomorrow. 12 The Trend and the Performance of the Motor Industry in Ghana The motor industry in Ghana has been with us since the colonial era and motor companies or agencies such as UT.C motors, Africa Motors, S.C.O.A. Motors, C.F.A.O. Motors etc are some of the colonial establishments that are known to have been in operation for more than half of a century in this country. They have enormously contributed positively to the transport sector and until recently these companies or motor agencies were responsible for about 70% of all vehicles imported into the country. The motor industry in Ghana has been experiencing fluctuations in their operations and performance over the past two decades and this is directly linked to the aggregate demand for motor vehicles in the country which in turn is dictated by so many factors including political and economic factors. A close look at the performance of the motor industry since the colonial era to the present era reveals that the industry was experiencing a steady growth with little fluctuations from the colonial era to the middle of the 70’s and this is evident by the number of new motor companies which were established between 1957 and 1975. Here, companies such as G.N.T.C. Motors, Japan Motors, Mark Kofie Engineering, Kowus Motors, Neoplan Ghana Limited, Willowbrook Ghana limited etc. were all established during this era. Another evidence of this steady growth can be seen in Table 1 showing the number of cars registered between 1967 and 1976.

Source: KNUST