Industry Insight with John Yoswick
—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon who has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.
Honda Increasing Crash Parts Production, Transitioning Certified Auto Body Shops Over Time
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Collision repair shops reporting dif- trying to get the common sheet metal ed to collision repairs. The vehicle, ficulties in getting replacement parts items out to shops on a timely basis. for example, has extended range this year may be glad to hear Hon- We are checking our back orders and blind spot information sensors on with Ed Attanasio seeing which [other parts] we can some trim packages. da is ramping up parts production. “The original radar saw, I be “As we all know, back orders are ramp up production on.” really hitting the industry hard, regardless of the manufacturer,” Dane Rounkles, manager of wholesale collision parts for American Honda, said during with a GuildEd 21 webinar Attanasio in late summer. “So we went to senior management, and anything we stamp here in the U.S., we’ve asked for them to increase production to make the parts available. “Now, some of you may still have some back orders on sheet metwith Ed Attanasio al, and that may be something we stamp in another country,” Rounkles Collision repairers need to be aware the replacement procedure for the laser-brazed roof panel on continued. “But we have increased the 2022 Honda Civic requires a combination of welding, adhesive and mechanical fasteners greatly the availability of sheet metal parts, and we will continue to do so. The automaker also used the lieve, 3 or 4 meters,” said Scott Right now, I don’t have Ed the quantities with Attanasio webinar to highlight some informa- Kaboos, collision technical specialthat we want of every part, but we are tion about the new 2022 Civic relat- ist for Honda. “This one can see 75
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meters. So it’s much more intense of a radar.” The system no longer requires a specific aiming inspection procedure, but instead is capable of self-learning while the vehicle is driven more than 18 mph. Those test driving the vehicle should be aware that until the self-learning is complete, the reset system is limited to 9.8 feet of detection. There are also new limits on what repairs can be made to the areas on the rear bumper through which the radar system operates. Honda provides a printable template technicians can tape onto the bumper to determine where the radar wave area is. “If within that area, there is a crack, a dent, a gouge, anything like that, it cannot be repaired,” Kaboos said. “As a matter of fact, they tell us we cannot even use touch-up
GM Extends Chevy Bolt EV/EUV Plant Shutdown Amid Recall
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to continue. The battery maker is with Stacey Phillips
by Steven Loveday, Inside EVs
expected to prove without a doubt As was recently reported, Gen- the updated packs are defect-free eral Motors decided to idle its and not prone to fire risk. Orion (MI) Assembly plant while Thus far, the situation with it moves forward with the mas- the Bolt has cost GM nearly $1 sive Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt billion, and it will likely cost a whole lot more as everything proEUV recall. with Stacey Phillips GM is recalling every Bolt gresses. Autoblog writes due to ever built due to a handful of fires. “GM’s lack of confidence in its Now, the automaker has con- supplier, it seems unlikely that the firmed the factory will remain idle work stoppage will extend only through the end of September.” until at least Sept. 24. This all makes perfect sense According to a report by Au- toblog, GM is working alongside since GM has been dealing with with Stacey battery supplier LG Chem to Phillips fig- this for some time, and a previous ure out exactly how to progress fix didn’t work. If the automaker with the recall. Until some deci- goes to great lengths to replace sions are made, the plant will not the battery packs in every car, continue producing the electric and more fires occur thereafter, it could prove to be a devastating hatchback or crossover. GM has made it clear it has blow. no intention to produce new Bolt This is a developing story. with Stacey Phillips We’ll update this article or proEVs or EUVs―nor will it replace current vehicles―prior to having vide another once more informathe utmost confidence the newly tion becomes available. updated battery packs are safe. Of course, GM is looking to LG Chem to provide the necessary information to allow production
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