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Honda Increasing Crash Parts Production, Transitioning Certified Auto Body Shops Over Time
Collision repair shops reporting difficulties in getting replacement parts this year may be glad to hear Honda is ramping up parts production.
“Aswe all know, back orders are really hitting the industry hard, regardless of the manufacturer,” Dane Rounkles, manager of wholesale collision parts for American Honda, said during a Guild 21 webinar 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 metal, and that may be something we stamp in another country,” Rounkles continued. “But we have increased greatly the availability of sheet metal parts, and we will continue to do so. Right now, I don’t have the quantities that we want of every part, but we are trying to get the common sheet metal items out to shops on a timely basis. We are checking our back orders and seeing which [other parts] we can ramp up production on.”
The automaker also used the webinar to highlight some information about the new 2022 Civic related to collision repairs. The vehicle, for example, has extended range blind spot information sensors on some trim packages.
“The original radar saw, I believe, 3 or 4 meters,” said Scott Kaboos, collision technical specialist for Honda. “This one can see 75
Shop Showcase meters. So it’s much more intense of a radar.” with Ed Attanasio 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 Social Media for Shops driving the vehicle should be aware that until the self-learning is comwith Ed Attanasio plete, 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 SEMA Show Goes On the radar system operates. Honda provides a printable template techwith Ed Attanasio nicians can tape onto the bumper to determine where the radar wave area Media and Publicity for Shops Collision repairers need to be aware the replacement procedure for the laser-brazed roof panel on the 2022 Honda Civic requires a combination of welding, adhesive and mechanical fasteners is. “If within that area, there is a crack, a dent, a gouge, anything like that, it cannot be repaired,” Kawith Ed Attanasio boos said. “As a matter of fact, they tell us we cannot even use touch-up
Shop Strategies GM Extends Chevy Bolt EV/EUV Plant Shutdown Amid Recall
by with Stacey PhillipsSteven Loveday, Inside EVs As was recently reported, General Motors decided to idle its Body Shops GivOrion (MI) Assembly plant while it moves forward with the massive Chevy Bolt EV and Bolt ing Back with Stacey PhillipsEUV recall. GM is recalling every Bolt ever built due to a handful of fires. Now, the automaker has confirmed the factory will remain idle Tips for Busy Body Shopsuntil at least Sept. 24. According to a report by Auwith Stacey Phillipstoblog, GM is working alongside battery supplier LG Chem to figure out exactly how to progress with the recall. Until some decisions are made, the plant will not My SEMA continue producing the electric hatchback or crossover. GM has made it clear it has with Stacey Phillipsno intention to produce new Bolt EVs or EUVs―nor will it replace current vehicles―prior to having the utmost confidence the newly updated battery packs are safe.
Of course, GM is looking to Shop StrategiesLG Chem to provide the necessary information to allow production
to continue. The battery maker is expected to prove without a doubt the updated packs are defect-free and not prone to fire risk.
Thus far, the situation with the Bolt has cost GM nearly $1 billion, and it will likely cost a whole lot more as everything progresses. Autoblog writes due to “GM’s lack of confidence in its supplier, it seems unlikely that the work stoppage will extend only through the end of September.”
This all makes perfect sense since GM has been dealing with this for some time, and a previous fix didn’t work. If the automaker goes to great lengths to replace the battery packs in every car, and more fires occur thereafter, it could prove to be a devastating blow.
This is a developing story. We’ll update this article or provide another once more information becomes available.
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