Late to the party, but a cool post. When I was a real 'pro' at mark Christopher Chevrolet in the late 80's the shop labor rate was a whopping $45 an hour. Gee how times have changed! The point I wanted to make, is even back then (pre internet!) - the interest in the mechanic trade was VERY weak, it just was not the hot thing back then, people told me I was wasting my time learning that stuff. Now I can see how this has gone full circle and evolved into a glut of good talent. Hell, most high schools in my state don't even have an auto shop class. Heck MY old high school no longer has an auto shop class. Seems to be a vanishing skill set to say the least. I hung up my career in mechanics after 4 short years, as I was told something new was about to spring onto the world, and that I would get more pay and less harsher working conditions and jumped on it when I could. I still love working on cars today, I never got into it as a 'money making career' I just liked cars. Hence I saw that my marketing potential was limited. As on old fart, I would strongly suggest young people get into the industry, especially if you like working on cars. There should be no shortage of work anyway!