Consultant jobs? 4

[enginesrus]

For automotive related. What is a good way to offer the service for what you see as ongoing issues certain outfits are having with a certain product? Would you go to one of the dealers or what?

 

[GregLocock]

No, the dealers do not have any direct access to product engineering, which are the people you need to talk to. I've only had a couple of mad inventors contact me directly, usually via the internet. If we want a consultant we usually ask around internally to find out who was any good in the past.

Cheers

Greg Locock


New here? Try reading these, they might help FAQ731-376

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[enginesrus]

I would think for a hands on deal a dealer would be a first contact, and maybe at least know who is next inline.

 

[RVAmeche]

Dealers are just salesmen. Maybe if you were talking to the higher ups at a large chain they'd have a contact in development. Otherwise it's not worth it. You wouldn't ask someone at Best Buy about design changes to a TV would you?

 

[SwinnyGG]

Your best bet would be to start a business (i.e. you're going to need legitimate paperwork to collect a dime from GM et. al) and network your butt off (DEC, for example, if you're in Mid-Michigan) and hope to make the right contact.

The odds of making a connection that would actually bear consulting fruit on a cold call are pretty slim.

 

[Mongrel]

I read this as you having a design idea for replacing a known problem part. Example might be the timing chains on GM-H Alloytec engines, or the weak 5th gear spacer in certain Ford/Mazda 4WD transmissions.
I doubt the manufacturer will be willing to take opinions from an outside source; usually as long as it lasts the warranty period it's fine, at least in my experience. I would agree that your better option to capitalise on your design would definitely be to offer it for sale as an independent operator. I have a few similar items I offer as upgrades to the car community through Facebook and various local forums, and it provides reasonable amounts of work once you get established and recognised.