OCTOBER 2023
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ACKNOWLEDGED BY THE INDUSTRY AS THE LEADING MAGAZINE
A world of change
Finding the skills and knowledge to keep up with repair technology New AMA Group chair Caroline Waldron outlines her vision Next phase for the repair industry’s code of conduct Hallam repair centre leader Daniel Wells stepping up
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Contents
Latest News
CEO John Murphy john.murphy@primecreative.com.au
6 Local News
All the seasonal industry news, views, and information from around the country.
COO Christine Clancy christine.clancy@primecreative.com.au
30 I-CAR Update, Training and Events Keeping EV repair and their batteries safe.
SALES DIRECTOR Brad Buchanan bradley.buchanan@primecreative. com.au 0413 672 403
36 Global News
Keep up-to-date with a selection of industry news and information around the world.
42 Product Showcase
18
Special Reports
EDITOR Eugene Duffy eugene.duffy@primecreative.com.au 0412 821 706 BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER Kerri McCauley kerri.mccauley@primecreative.com.au 0404 898 362
18 The road ahead for AMA Group
New chair Caroline Waldron talks about the vision looking forward.
22 The next steps for a code of conduct
PUBLISHED BY Prime Creative Media 379 Docklands Drive, Docklands, VIC 3008 03 9690 8766 www.primecreative.com.au
Spreading the word on the key industry partnership.
26 How AR could help your workshop
Augmented reality has tools that boost efficiency.
41 BASF’s ambitious green targets New products add to industry transparency.
48 Lifetime Achievement Awards New additions to the format of the industry’s service awards.
29
Regular Features 24 Talking Shop
An investment in equipment that pays off in more ways than one.
29 Future Technology
When is sensor recalibration necessary?
33 Future Leaders
Daniel Wells steps up at Capital S.M.A.R.T.
The National Collision Repairer 3
34 Stateside
How ADAS sensors can affect repainting.
47 Tech Talk
The all-important step of pre-cleaning.
51 OEM News
More developments from the world of automotive manufacturers.
DISCLAIMER
The National Collision Repairer is published by Prime Creative Media, 379 Docklands Drive,Docklands. This publication is copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism and review under the Copyright Act (1968), no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. Enquiries should be addressed to the publisher. The publisher believes all the information in this publication to be correct at the time of printing, however is not in a position to make a guarantee to this effect and accepts no liability in event of any information proving inaccurate. Prices, addresses and phone numbers were, after investigations and to the best of our knowledge and belief, up to date at the time of printing. It is also not feasible for the publisher to ensure that advertisements which appear in the publication comply with the Competition and Consumer Act (2010). The responsibility must therefore be on the individual, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisement for publication. Whilst every endeavour has been made to ensure complete accuracy, the publisher cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. ACN 117 914 235
Editorial
How knowledge can take the pain out of change With smart houses that prepare themselves before we even arrive home and smartphones that guide and shape our lives, it was only a matter of time before advanced automation found its way into the place we spend so much of our time, our cars. One stream of this technology is focused on efficiency and new power sources that are equal or superior in output, efficiency and emissions. Another arm of automotive technology is investigating the user experience and enhancing comfort and safety. What both streams have in common is that they are being driven by demand. A market push toward lower emissions and rising petrol prices have made the electrification of personal transport almost inevitable. Nearly every major car manufacturer has identified that demand and is now setting major EV production targets and implementing transition strategies. This makes good business sense because, apart from the OEM’s commitment to the environment, it is a fundamental need to stay relevant to what customers want. Similarly, the increasingly advanced technology centred around driver ease and safety, like ADAS systems, will also be driven by consumer demand, to the point where even advanced automation will be seen as standard in any new vehicle. It took only a little more than 10 years from the date when mobile devices were first connected to the internet for half the planet to own them and half that time again before they were completely indispensable to most of our daily lives. If people want it enough, change will happen. And while Australia is low in the uptake of electric vehicles compared to Europe or even the US, that doesn’t mean the same trends aren’t at work. Successive sets of sales figures indicate that this transition has already started. But technology is always a sword with two edges; how we use it determines if it can become the great tool of development or damage. Every new manifestation of invention
has stumbling blocks and dead ends. However, the same powers of demand and innovation bringing about the change are also forces that can often overcome the worst of these teething problems. In this regard, the gradual transition Australia is undergoing toward new automotive technology has given us the breathing space that is often needed, particularly for overcoming our particularly national problems. At the same time, there is much we can learn from overseas models and applications. Regarding EVs, the first hurdles for Australian consumers will be overcoming range anxiety and price. For governments and the energy sector, meeting this transition will mean developing a comprehensive charging network and generation capacity. For repairers, embracing the change will be all about developing a set of skills and processes that makes the advent of an EV appearing on the workshop floor as commonplace, efficient and profitable as any traditional ICE vehicle. As always, whatever the rate of change, it is preparedness and adaptation that best serve businesses large and small. It is knowledge that empowers this adaptation. The National Collision Repairer hopes that fostering these discussions within the industry is of some assistance in facilitating the change. In this edition we explore that change in a variety of ways. I-CAR lends its extensive training resources to look at EV battery safety. The Sydney Airport fire started by an EV made headlines last month but statistically these kinds of fires are still very low in number, and the safety, knowledge and training of the industry will help keep them that way as EVs become more numerous in workshops. Getac looks at another form of technology, augmented reality, and how it can help in the increasingly sophisticated skills demanded by vehicle repairs. Also in this edition, Hella explores the complex world of ADAS calibration, another specialty area that is demanding increased investment and training by the repair industry. These complex aspects of technology, daunting as they first appear, will also become an opportunity for those willing to embrace and learn all about them. We hope you enjoy and learn something from this edition. Eugene Duffy Editor The National Collision Repairer
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Local News
Market hurdles and choice need to be considered in fuel standard The car manufacturers’ peak body in Australia has backed a mandatory fuel efficiency standard but wants it to be ‘technology agnostic’ and to transition to EVs cautiously. The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries provided feedback to the Federal Government’s Fuel Efficiency Standard consultation and maintains the policy must be tailored to the Australian market and the consumer uptake of new technology. It wants the industry to first tackle EV issues including consumer cost and charging infrastructure. “The ultimate aim of the FES should be to decarbonise the light vehicle sector in the most efficient and effective way, and in an Australian context,” the FCAI submission notes. “Reflecting Australia’s specific political, environmental geographic, demographic and economic challenges, a technology mix -including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles- and other future options including carbonneutral, bio or synthetic fuels, is the most pragmatic way ambitious outcomes can be achieved.” Chief Executive Tony Weber says the FCAI fully supports the introduction of an ambitious but achievable, technology agnostic FES that it is designed and implemented with a focus on the Australian consumers’ needs. “Most importantly, any policy that does not bring consumers along the path of reform will, by definition, fail,” Weber says.
The FCAI wants any fuel efficiency standard to be technologically agnostic.
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“Key to the transition for consumers is the availability of product that they want or need at an affordable price.” “The FCAI and its members want to continue to play their role in combating climate change and providing Australians with the zero and low-emission vehicles they can afford, want to drive and vehicles that meet their family, personal, recreation or work needs.” The FCAI’s submission utilises SP Global data that highlights while three quarters of new car sales in the premium bracket will be EVs, the volume end of the market will only reach 20 per cent in 2030 under current conditions without further legislation. It notes that premium brands represent around 12 per cent of the Australian market. In both the midsize and smaller sized SUV market the price difference by 2030 will still represent about an $11,000 higher purchase cost for EVs over traditional combustion vehicles. The SP Global data sees current conditions delivering a shift where 28.1 of new sales are full EVs and only 13.6 per cent are ICE vehicles, with the remainder a mixture of hybrid and other technologies. Utes, which make up a fifth of the new vehicle market, will only have 11 per cent of these sales as EVs by 2030 as issues of range and power impede sales. “We can establish a standard which gets us on the pathway to zero emissions, supports car makers to attract the best low emission technology to the Australian market, while providing consumers with certainty and clarity around future vehicle availability,” Weber says. Other issues outlined in the submission include the need for increased charging infrastructure, with the demand for public and semi-public charging facilities expected to grow five-fold from 6,000 in 2025 to 31,000 by 2030. “To support the transition to a
greater number of EVs that will be on Australia roads, there needs to be a commensurate increase in the number of EV recharging stations across the length and breadth of Australia. This is one example of how the strategy needs to be holistic in its approach, as a lack of charging infrastructure will undermine the community’s response to the transition,” it noted. The submission also highlights the global pressure for commodities for EVs, particularly batteries as being another element that will influence availability and uptake. “The exact form of a fuel efficiency standard needs to consider the model cycle time frames to bring more fuelefficient vehicles into Australia and the level of financial and non-financial support from the government. Across the world, this partnership of industry and government has been crucial to the development of low-emission vehicles. The FCAI recommends Government ensures that flexibility is built into the FES with a long-term, visionary target and regular reviews of the annual rate of reduction. “The underlying design assumption should be outcome focused and performance based. The purpose of the FES is to reduce tailpipe CO2 emissions of the new vehicle sales in Australia. Each and every gram of CO2 abated is equally valuable, regardless of its source. With this outcome in mind, the primary design principle must be technology agnostic. “It must work to reduce the average tailpipe CO2 emissions of the total new vehicle sales in order to maintain consumer choice for vehicles that Australians want and need to drive. “FCAI agrees that the FES should be established in Commonwealth legislation and be mandatory. It should apply to all new light vehicles (under 3.5 tonnes GVM), and other N category vehicles where the weight of the battery is likely to put their GVM above 3.5 tonnes.”
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Local News
Wilcox Bodyworks makes extra-time and reaps rewards Wilcox Bodyworks is the latest business putting training front of mind for staff and has reaped the reward with a gold class accreditation. The Tasmanian body and smash repair workshop, based in Huonville, has been awarded the prestigious I-CAR Gold Class Collision status. Wilcox Bodyworks Owner and manager Brady Wilcox says small businesses can achieve gold class accreditation and remain competitive within the collision repair industry while also keeping costs down. “I-CAR was flexible and adaptable to the needs of a small business working towards the same goal as larger shops,” Wilcox says. “Being a small business in a rural area, the various training delivery options were perfect for us. We were able to select courses that are delivered face-to-face in our area and then
complement these with the online platform. It was a game changer and without the flexible delivery options, we would have faced many barriers. “This made training for Gold Class achievable and cost-effective. Having access to I-CAR’s Industry Training Alliance partners was an added benefit, we partnered with Valspar which supported the team to undertake training to gain I-CAR points. This resulted in staff gaining relevant and specific training suited to their needs. “Also, making sure we set time aside from the day-to-day workings of the business for the training was essential,” Wilcox says. “This commitment by our team to achieving Gold Class was great and added to the ease of the process. “Overall, it was a rewarding experience with our staff enjoying the training and our business has
benefited greatly from the process. We would highly recommend the training and are keen to keep up with industry changes and best practices in repair methods.” The requirement for training and upskilling in the Automotive Body Repair Industry is becoming more important than ever before. Achieving Gold Class status is the highest level of accreditation within the I-CAR Professional Development Program.
The crew at Huonville’s Wilcox Body works.
IAG posts profit jump and looks forward to 2024 Major auto insurer IAG has posted a $803 million profit or almost 40 per cent growth in its insurance business to wrap up the 2022/23 financial year. The 37 per cent increase was on total claims paid of $10.2 billion, up 20 per cent on the previous year. IAG’s Gross Written Premium growth was also up, to 10.6 percent or 14.7 billion for the year. Elevated inflation in home and motor claims costs, as well as the higher natural perils allowance impacted their underlying insurance margin which fell to 12.6 per cent from 14.6 per cent the previous year. IAG Managing Director and CEO Nick Hawkins described it as a solid result that boded well for the financial year to come. “We enter FY24 with positive momentum across the company and
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confidence that the strategy we have in place will deliver long term benefits for our shareholders and the 8.7m customers we serve,” Hawkins says. “We’re also heartened by the ongoing high levels of customer renewals and growth in new customers. These are a tribute to the strength and stature of our brands and our customers’ confidence in the value of what we do, which is guided by our purpose to make your world a safer place.’’ In the coming financial year, IAG has predicted GWP growth to be low double-digits with a reported insurance margin guidance of between 13.5 per cent to 15.5 per cent and is expected to deliver an insurance profit of between approximately $1.2b and $1.45b. “FY23 was a solid year for IAG, reflecting the positive momentum in
our core businesses and the significant progress we’ve made to create a stronger and more resilient company,” IAG says in a statement. “Our Gross Written Premium growth is above 10 per cent for the year. We maintained our Group operating costs in line with our target of $2.5b for the third year in a row, lowered our expense ratio, and improved our Net Profit After Tax (NPAT) in a challenging economic environment. “Our FY23 result was driven by steps we took in 2021 to reset the business with a simpler operating model and a greater focus on our core business. “The increase was largely due to premium rises across the three businesses in response to inflation pressures and higher reinsurance and natural perils costs.”
Bounce back in car sales continues as EVs and hybrids climb New vehicle sales have continued a post-pandemic recovery in Australia with August achieving the highest result on record for the month and a 15.4 per cent increase on August 2022. One in six new cars sold is now either fully electric or incorporates hybrid low emissions technologies, with EVs making up 6.4 per cent of sales and hybrid vehicles taking up 10.5 per cent of new sales. Tesla continues to dominate the EV sales space with sales of the Tesla Y model more than doubling for the same month from last year. The EV manufacturer now represents 4.2 per cent of cars sold, while in 2022 this was only 1.1 per cent. Among traditional internal combustion
motors utes dominated the marketplace, taking out four of the top six places for sales. The Toyota Hi-Lux returned to top spot for individual models, recording 5,762 sales, followed closely by the Ford Ranger at 5,760 sales. FCAI chief executive Tony Weber says the record month with customers taking delivery of 109,966 new vehicles followed an equally strong July 2023 and highlighted the strength in the industry. “Year-to-date sales have increased 9.9 per cent which is a better indicator of the underlying strength of the market.” Weber says. “The Australian automotive sector continues to demonstrate its strength, with August recording unprecedented sales figures, reflecting both a high
level of demand from Australians and improved supply of vehicles. “As consumers continue to embrace low emissions technologies, we are seeing growth in electric, plug-in and hybrid vehicle sales.” Sales across every State and Territory increased this month compared with August 2022. Sales in the Australian Capital Territory by 21.5 per cent; New South Wales 13.6 per cent; Queensland 7.8 per cent; South Australia 21.9 per cent; Tasmania 14.4 per cent; Victoria 16.3 per cent; Western Australia 32.5 per cent and Northern Territory 21.4 per cent. Toyota was the highest selling marque with 22,321 sales, Mazda followed with 8,458 then Ford 7,898, Hyundai 6,513 and Kia 6,510.
Troopy goes electric to go underground Renowned for its toughness and beloved by the mining industry, the ‘Troopy’ can now add silence and low emissions to its virtues after an Australian electric adaption. Mining vehicle specialist ERO Automotive unveiled its Toyota LandCruiser 79 Series-based ZED70 Ti, which features 50 per cent more power and charging in under 30 minutes. The new LandCruiser adaptation.
ZERO Automotive’s aim is to produce the world’s safest and toughest electric underground vehicles, with the company’s founder Dave Mitchell using his extensive engineering background to shape the future of the space. Barminco, one of the world’s largest hard rock underground mining services companies, has signed on as the first customer to use the model. CarBon Leasing & Rentals, Australia’s leading zero emissions leasing company has confirmed an order of 200 ZED70 Ti’s to be added to its leasing roster, commencing quarter four in 2024. CarBon Leasing & Rentals CEO Scott Gillespie says mining companies were facing increasing pressure to transition fleets to meet greenhouse targets and this vehicle was an ideal opportunity. “We’ve already received a great deal of interest and look forward to deploying
these innovative EVs next year to a range of customers,” he says. The design features ZERO’s Hazardous Environment Protection System underbody armour protection, which will help to dramatically increase the longevity and safety of the vehicle’s chassis in underground applications. ZERO Automotive’s CEO Joe Di Santo says the vehicle had undergone five years of development, and two years with prototype vehicles under test by Barminco and AusMinerals. “Underground mining is an incredibly tough environment for vehicles, and we know we have gone above and beyond to develop this ADR approved package that is up for the task,” he says. “Our HEPS solution can withstand use in highly corrosive environments, which will genuinely increase the longevity and safety of the vehicles in the long term.” The National Collision Repairer 9
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Local News
Family business aims high with training award A Queensland family panel business has taken out the small employer of the year for that state and will now set its sights on the national competition in November. North Mackay’s McCarthy Panel Works won the award in recognition of their dedication to train and upskill the next generation to strengthen the automotive industry. Over 52 years, Craig and Andrea McCarthy and their team have initiated 31 Apprentice Training Contracts, including successful programs for individuals with disabilities. The automotive repair shop contributes to the industry and community through partnerships, mentoring, and training programs and offers extended training to technicians to bridge the gap between apprentice learning and new technologies. McCarthy Panel Works will now look to the Australian Training Awards in Hobart,
Tasmania on Friday 17 November 2023. The 2023 Queensland Training Awards provides the state’s top prize for outstanding achievements in vocational education and training statewide. It recognises apprentices, trainees, vocational students, teachers and trainers as well as training providers and employers. Member for Mackay: Julieanne Gilbert says it was an amazing achievement that a regional winner was taking home a state title. “Congratulations to Craig and Andrea – not only have you made our region and community proud but Queensland too,” Gilbert says. “It is great to see McCarthy Panel Works take home an award this year for their exceptional support of their employees and their community and I hope this will inspire more of our local students and employers to pursue their
goals through vocational education and training.” Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer says the awards highlight top achievers in training and showcase the power of skills. “The Queensland Government is ensuring all Queenslanders have opportunities to grow their skills with relevant training and get a great job and I’m pleased to see so many great examples of this tonight,” she says. The team at McCarthy Panel Works who will now compete at a national level.
Insurance complaints up but resolution rates improve The Federal financial complaints watchdog has tabulated a record number of issues over the 2022/23 year including car insurance but almost three quarters of these are resolved. Comprehensive car insurance ranked fourth in the list of complaints received by the Australian Financial Complaints Authority across the financial sector with 8,296 lodged, an increase of 43 per cent over the previous year. But it ranked better than home insurance as the most complained about financial products. Personal transaction accounts overtook credit cards as the most complained about product, with disputes up 86 per cent, the first-time credit cards have failed to top the list for five years ago. The top issue in complaints to AFCA
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in 2022-23 was delay in all insurance claim handling including house and other property, up 76 per cent. Overall, general insurance complaints rose 50 per cent to 27,924. However, the data shows that 71 per cent of complaints were resolved by agreement between the firm and consumer, up from 67 per cent the previous year. Nearly 60 per cent were resolved at the first stage of the process, up from 51 per cent the previous year. AFCA’s Chief Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer, David Locke, says the rise in complaints reflected growing financial stress in the community, the continued scourge of scams, and issues with insurer claims handling. “We have been raising our concerns about claim delays with insurers for over 12 months now,” Locke says.
“It is disappointing that this continues to be a concern. While we acknowledge the challenges insurers have faced, the bulk of complaints in the past year were not about natural disasters but about regular claims. We would like to see insurers take the necessary steps to ensure fewer policyholders have to take a complaint to AFCA.” Delay in insurance claim handling was also a significant issue in superannuation. Super complaints rose 32 per cent overall, but within this was a 136 per cent rise in complaints about claim delays, including the payment of death benefits. Overall, in 2022-23 consumers secured $253.8 million in compensation and refunds after coming to AFCA. AFCA’s systemic issues work resulted in firms remediating more than 378,000 people to a total of $100.5 million.
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Local News
Driverless technology may still pose risks to distracted drivers; RMIT study Preliminary researchers indicate human distraction may still pose a risk with Level 3 and 4 automated driving. Early data from research led by RMIT University found activities that could be unsafe to undertake in automated vehicles includes, doing work, watching the world, social media and resting. The study looked at what happens if a driver is suddenly required to take control of an automated vehicle, such as in an emergency and focussed on three types of distraction; work, social media and rest that impacted on the driver’s ability to respond. RMIT school of engineering, Dr Neng Zhang, says authorities need to begin drafting policies to regulate the responsible use of automated vehicles before Level 3 and 4 automated vehicles appear on Australian roads. The National Transport Commission has so far outlined a regulatory framework for automated vehicles in Australia, including driver training, licensing and obligations. Level 1 and Level 2 ADAS such as lane keeping, automated parking and cruise control are already common as included features but more advanced automated vehicles, currently being trialled are not yet commercially available in Australia. “In Level 3 and 4 automated driving, the human driver will still need to respond in an emergency, taking control of the vehicle,” Zhang says. Dr Neng Zhang in the testing centre.
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“This data is a starting place for regulation and could lead to databacked legislation that ensures drivers are given enough time to respond quickly and flawlessly to emergency events.” Using a Level 3 automated vehicle simulation, the researchers tested participants’ speed and effectiveness in taking over the vehicle in the event of an emergency. “We had them writing business emails (working condition), watching videos (entertaining condition), and taking a break with their eyes closed (resting condition),” Zhang says. “These tasks required drivers to invest high, moderate, and low levels of mental workload. We tested their responses after a short interval (5 minutes) or long interval (30 minutes) of participating in one of these tasks. All of these tasks worsened the takeover and led to a period of poorer driving. “We found that resting resulted in the worst takeover response, followed by working. Social media was less disruptive. However, the longer the participant engaged in an activity, the worse their response was to an emergency.” The cross-disciplinary research team brought together RMIT expertise in human body vibration, automotive engineering and cognitive psychology from the School of Engineering, School of Health and Biomedical Sciences and School of Science. Biomedical researcher and report author Professor Stephen Robinson says emergencies require a high level of cognition. “As soon as something unexpected happens, such as a child running across the road, we need to be able to use our full cognitive abilities to assess the situation and take appropriate action,” Robinson says.
“Takeover requests in automated vehicles occur when the onboard computer lacks the capacity to deal with changed or complex driving conditions. Such conditions are potentially dangerous and require the driver to focus quickly and act decisively to keep our roads safe.” “We found that driving experience and takeover performance were highly correlated, with inexperienced drivers (with less than 20,000 kilometres of driving experience) responding more slowly and less effectively. The distance driven since gaining a driver’s licence is more important than the number of years since the licence was issued,” Zhang says. “Our findings highlight the need for vehicle manufacturers and licencing authorities to develop solutions that ensure that conditionally automated vehicles are safe for drivers with varying experience levels.” Engineering expert and report author Professor Mohammad Fard says a seamless and safe transition between vehicle automation and human is the goal. “The aim of our work is to enhance ‘human-automation interaction’ for autonomous vehicles and significantly improve the way humans interact with and control these advanced autonomous vehicles, leading to enhanced efficiency and safety in their operation,” Fard says. The researchers believe that regulations must also address issues such as distraction, alertness and experience before Level 3 automation can be successfully adopted in Australia. “Governments can effectively safeguard road safety by acknowledging these detrimental effects and regulating nondriving activities in the context of autonomous driving.”
Local News
Motoring peak body releases guide to unfair contract changes Repair businesses will now have a new resource to help them avoid the perils of the ‘fine print’ in standard contracts, both with their clients and dealing with larger companies. Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) has launched the guide to unfair contract terms in preparation for new legislation that will come into effect on November 10 this year. MTAA, with the help of HWL Ebsworth Lawyers, have prepared “Unfair contract terms in the automotive industry: Everything you need to know.” with the aim of guiding potentially vulnerable business owners to recognise MTAA CEO Geoff Gwilym.
unfair contract terms that may be difficult to interpret or hidden in confusing fine print. The unfair contract terms regime aims to protect consumers and small businesses in their dealings with other businesses, such as larger businesses with potentially more bargaining power, by prohibiting the use of unfair contract terms. The information within the guide aims to simplify the complex legislation to create a usable guide across the automotive industry. The guide outlines 15 automotive industry sectors and 41 examples where
it seeks to explain in plain English the definitions and parameters of unfair contract terms. The new rules will apply to standard contracts between individuals and businesses and between businesses where one of the entities employs less than 100 people and has a turnover of less than $10 million. The changes specifically target standard form contracts and will apply to contracts signed after the November date or older contracts that are renewed or varied after that date. The new legislation falls under Treasury Laws Amendment (More Competition, Better Prices) Bill 2022 approved last year and amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and the Australian Securities and Investment Commission Act 2001 and imposes penalties for anybody for proposing or relying on unfair contract terms. Under the new law, a clause that is deemed unfair is made void and unenforceable while penalties of up to $50 million for companies and $.5 million for individuals can be imposed. MTAA CEO Geoff Gwilym said the new guide can help business owners in all sectors of the automotive industry in understanding what the changes mean for their operations and ensure they’re ready for the November changes. “MTAA is proud to produce a revolutionary document consistent with the vision, purpose, and values of MTAA and its members,” Gwilym says. “Unfair contract terms in the automotive industry: Everything you need to know is the ‘go to guide’ for automotive businesses. It’s easy to read and simple to navigate. There is nothing of its kind on the market.” “MTAA has long held its commitment to the industry to provide information that is relevant and critical to its members’ business success. This is yet another class-leading example,” Gwilym says.
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Growth makes industry skills shortage worse; survey Growth in the repair industry is putting extra pressure on the ongoing recruitment issue for existing businesses, a new survey has found. The new survey released by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association found almost an additional 3,000 workshops opening over the last two years, an 11.5 per cent growth since 2021. The survey, commissioned by the AAAA with research partner Fifth Quadrant found there are now 27,620 workshops operating across Australia. Almost all these workshops have vacancies, with 47 per cent currently hiring technicians, and 31 per cent seeking a master technician amounting to
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an industry shortage of 40,000 workers. The survey has broken this down about 27,000 qualified technicians, and 13,500 apprentices with every workshop in the country short a technician and half short an apprentice. AAAA director of government relations & advocacy Lesley Yates said the snapshot showed again that the skills shortage is the industry’s most pressing issue. “We invested in a ground-breaking industry wide survey to provide us clear data on what that these challenges look like at the individual workshop level, offer guidance on best practice to workshops, and to underpin our industry advocacy to government,” Yates says.
“The findings are very clear. Automotive service and repair is in demand, existing workshops are trying to maintain or expand their operation, while simultaneously, new workshops are starting up. These factors are decreasing the overall labour pool and placing pressure on workshops desperate to retain trained staff and attract new apprentices,” says Yates. The survey also revealed the use of non-cash benefits to entice and retain staff including industry training opportunities, flexible hours, and the use of the workshop out of hours are not offered by 1 in 3 workshops, opportunities that can play a role in staff retention strategies and may be underutilised.
14/09/2023 4:02:45 PM
Local News
Diplock’s makes every day a training day Ingraining up-to date and relevant professional training into its daily business culture, has been key to Diplock’s Collision Repair Centre achieving I-CAR Gold Class collision status and staying ahead of constant technological change. The Rockhampton based collision repair business has achieved the prestigious accreditation in recognition of its focussed efforts in industry training. AMA Group, technical training, prestige & OEM manager Scott Donnelly said the journey toward Gold Class had helped create a culture that training was part of the company’s everyday process. “With technology increasing, it is only natural that the level of training will increase,” Donnelly said. “We’re also introducing apprentices into our team’s training culture as early as possible in their journeys, so it becomes second nature.
“COVID-19 and the remoteness of some regions in North Queensland created some challenges to the rollout of the I-CAR Road to Gold training, but with the mix of training available, it was just a matter of mapping out a plan and then executing. The flexibility in the I-CAR program delivery really made this possible.” Diplock’s Collision Repair Centre also made use of I-CAR Australia’s Industry Alliance Partnership program to complement role-specific training required for Gold Class accreditation. “BASF and their team have worked closely with us in ensuring that painting technicians are up to date with their module training and Car-O-Liner has been very supportive with training,” Donnelly said. AMA Group, area manager – North Queensland, Martin Dickinson said one of the strengths in the partnership with
I-CAR was its practical relevance to the evolving industry. “With ADAS and the increase of BEV and HEV vehicles in our car parc, it is critical that the training is “real world” – this is something that I-CAR does very well, by providing training which is relevant to our team members’ day-today roles, and genuinely enhances their practical skills.” The team at Diplock’s Collision Repair Centre take training seriously.
Suncorp pushes ahead with plans after profit uptick Major insurer Suncorp has taken the first formal step toward fighting the ACCC’s decision to block the ANZ takeover. The group formally applied to the Australian Competition Tribunal in August alongside the ANZ for a review of the decision made last month by the ACCC to black the purchase of the insurer. In a statement to the ASX Suncorp said it would continue to pursue the sale as it was in the best interest of customers, investors and employees and would deliver “a net benefit for the Australian economy”. The insurer hopes to have the sale process completed by the middle of next year, however beyond the tribunal it does still require the approval of the federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers and is subject to the State Financial Institutions and Metway Merger Act in Queensland.
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The ACCC denied the sale application in August, arguing it would impede competition and be to the detriment of customers and instead suggested a merger with a smaller banking group like the Bendigo Bank group. The latest step in the stoush with the ACCC comes after the Suncorp Group posted a $1.148 billion profit for the 2022/23 financial year, of which $755 million was contributed from the Australian insurance division, a massive uptick from the previous year. Suncorp’s Insurance profit in Australia after tax was up almost three and a half times its $174 million profit of the previous financial year. Motoring claims grew 13.8 per cent, reflecting Average Written Premium (AWP) growth driven by pricing for claims inflation while unit growth grew 2.4 per
cent in the motor division. Overall, the Suncorp Group, including its bank and other divisions, posted a 10.6 per cent growth in profits Australia and New Zealand on the previous year with operating expenses also down 1.9 per cent. CEO Steve Johnston says the Group had delivered a strong set of results, demonstrating the progress made over the past three years to successfully execute the strategic initiatives under the FY23 plan while facing a challenging operating environment driven by increased payouts in the home sector affected by extreme weather events. “Our underlying business is significantly more resilient today than it was when we laid out the three-year plan in 2020,” Johnston says.
Who better to service the ADAS systems than the people who develop them? No one understands Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) better than HELLA GUTMANN. Backed by the knowledge and expertise of HELLA, a global leader in vehicle technology and OE supplier for many of the electronic safety systems used by vehicle manufacturers worldwide, it’s not surprising that we lead the way when it comes to ADAS calibration. The award-winning CSC-Tool enables workshops to calibrate both camera and radar-based* ADAS, quickly and extremely accurately. •
Modular system that can be tailored to meet different workshop requirements
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Expansion kits for calibration of radar, rear-view, and 360° camera systems
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Unrivalled coverage thanks to a growing range of additional calibration targets and ongoing software updates
For further information or for a FREE demonstration call 1800 061 729 or email hgscustomersupport@hella.com hella.com.au *Radar compatibility requires Radar Kit I or II expansion kit
Movers & Shakers
The way ahead at AMA Group
There have been some turbulent years for the repair industry’s largest group of workshops, AMA Group, but new chair Caroline Waldron sees solid foundations in place for a thriving future. The new chair for AMA Group has a clear message for the repair industry; it must stay relevant by staying focussed on serving its customers well. In this way, AMA Group reflects the larger repair industry and many of the struggles it has gone through, including COVID and supply issues, and those which it continues to face, such as a major skills gaps and rapid technological change. But Waldron remains quietly confident in both the Group’s financial position and its direction for the future. It has been a year of change for AMA Group and Waldron sees no relenting of this pace, but this is where she
believes the vision for the company and its investment in people puts it in a solid place. “From an AMA Group perspective, what’s really important for us and for our people, is to stay focused on continuous development,” Waldron says. While her role as a director is oversight of governance and strategic direction, continuous development is essential to the future of the company. “At AMA Group we continually develop our people, so that they in turn can focus on delivering a quality product to our customer. It gives us an opportunity to turn the negative experience of a car crash into
New AMA Group chair Caroline Waldron.
Putting customer needs first and looking after staff will be key to AMA Group’s future.
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a positive one for the customer.” A lawyer by training who has made Australia her home for the last 25 years, Waldron comes to the collision repair industry with a wide range of leadership roles in the legal, health and retails sectors before moving into a portfolio of director roles. Waldron maintains it is her ability to reinvent herself and adapt to different situations that make her well suited for an industry that is feeling the pressure to do the same. “When you’ve been in these things for long enough, you realise that the underlying things in a lot of these sectors can be quite similar. So, if you ask what’s common between health and collision for instance, at first glance, you’d say nothing. But when you analyse it, you realise that both face similar labour shortages and reliance on skilled migrants, for example. Both have visa issues, hiring issues, and all things that intersect with that.” If change is a constant for AMA Group and the wider repair industry then perhaps nowhere is it more pressing
and acute than with technology, where again, Waldron’s experience in technology businesses guides her input into the company direction. “There’s no room for stagnation in the collision sector,” she says. “It’s very much about understanding the role technology and innovation play in supporting business processes.” But she says despite technology advancement and changes, the foundation of the collision industry is the people who operate in it, so this is a key focus of AMA Group. “Our people are such a core part of our offer,” she says. “We have 3200 people who we’re responsible for but those 3200 people in turn are responsible for getting a large number of Australians back on the road after they’ve had a car accident. “Our people focus on doing a good job day in day out. We are always looking at ways to keep them engaged, trained, and safe every day. Safety is key for us.” In AMA Group’s recent annual report, safety was one of the measures that
experienced a major boost with a lost time injury frequency rate of 2.07, an almost 50 per cent improvement over 2022. The report also listed labour shortages as a key factor in 2022/23 and while international restrictions were lifted post-COVID, delays with the federal government’s mandatory skills assessments under Visa 482 have impeded international recruitment. Nevertheless, AMA Group managed to add approximately 100 staff from April to June 2023 including utilising lateral hiring. “There’s no silver bullet that’s going to suddenly make 10,000 new workers come into our sector, but I think we can have a steady, sustainable set of initiatives to attract, retain and engage our people,” Waldron says. The size of AMA Group also gives them the advantage of scale that can source and deliver higher levels of skills development. “We’ve lifted the operations of our business through training. It means that there is continuous upskilling,
AMA Group is Australia’s largest group of repair shops, supported by automotive parts and consumables distributor, ACM Parts.
The National Collision Repairer 19
Movers & Shakers
and we can take on more apprentices.” Waldron believes recruiting women to a traditionally male-dominated industry will be part of the long-term solution but likens the gradual changes of female representation on boards to how an industry can embrace a beneficial change. “It’s not something that will happen overnight, but with the right strategies, it can change over time.” While there is a partial solution to industry recruitment issues with skilled migration, one of Waldron’s high priorities is having a united industry approach in shaping the longer-term pipeline of workers. “As an industry, we should encourage more young people into the workforce and show them that the collision industry does offer credible career options,” she says. “They need to see that their careers can evolve from an apprentice to a leader in the industry if that is their desire. And I think everybody, all leaders in the industry need to take some responsibility for that.” The immediate focus of AMA Group,
The new AMA Collision site at Arundel, Queensland.
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however, has been the financials after another year without paying a dividend and accumulating a net loss after tax of $146.8 million. This figure was slightly improved from 2022 and included a non-cash impairment of $116.8 million for the two collision businesses from overall revenue of $869.6 million. However, the brighter news from the annual results was a $23 million last quarter earnings, with strength into August. This has contributed to the company’s outlook for a stronger 2023/24, with predicted earnings of $86 to $96 million, up from the $64.6 million for the last financial year. “It’s been tough, but we’ve navigated those challenges and feel like we’re in a solid position,” Waldron says. “We’ve just completed our fully underwritten $55 million capital raise. We are about to commence debt refinancing shortly. “We have some strong initiatives coming up over the next 12 months. We have a team that is completely motivated to drive revenue, manage costs and improve productivity. We are feeling quietly optimistic about where
we are and where we need to get to.” The other big change in 2023 has been a major reshuffle at the top, including the imminent retirement of Carl Bizon as CEO in November and Anthony Day’s retirement from the chair of the board in September, along with the departure of Paul Ruiz from AMA Group’s audit and risk committee. Waldron acknowledged that the foundational work by these men set AMA Group up for the future. “They put in some strong governance processes and corporatised AMA Group for the better.“ The next milestone for AMA Group will be the next quarterly report which will give a perspective into the company’s position and then the Annual General Meeting in November. But Waldron says the foundation for the company, that gives it ongoing growth is to focus on better understanding their customers’ needs and how to meet them in a timely and efficient manner. Waldron is determined to make that a constant in a world of change.
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Special Feature
A code for the future
Motor vehicle repairs make up the largest proportion of insurance claims from Australian consumers and the MVIRI Code of Conduct is a key document governing the relationship between repairers and the insurance industry. Following an independent review this year, the key challenges for the committee overseeing the changes will be keeping it relevant and more universally embraced. In December 2022, Dr Michael Schaper was appointed to examine the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry code and his final report in May outlined key weaknesses in the code that 15 recommendations could help rectify, making it more relevant and effective. The scope of the code and the industry relationship it governs is enormous. According to the ICA data there were 1.76 million motor collision claims made in the 2020/21 financial year, representing 45 per cent of the total 3.9 million claims made by consumers across Australia. Australians hold 16.2 million automotive insurance policies, the largest portion of the 36.4 million retail policies. The history of the important relationship has not always been a rosy one. Over the decades various investigations have identified the existence of a marked imbalance of power between the parties and examined serious dispute points between the auto body repair and insurance industries that resulted in the 1995 Industry Commission and finally
A code of conduct is crucial to resolving issues between insurers and repairers.
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in September 2006, the creation of the MVIRI Code of Conduct. Sixteen years on, an independent review was asked to focus on the code’s progress and effectiveness with a focus on industry knowledge, compliance, governance and whether the code was staying relevant to changing regulation and technology. Despite the code being mandatory in NSW and SA, the 2023 review found “in recent years the number of parties using the code appears to have declined significantly. “There was a widespread perception that the code is not currently well promoted or known,” the review noted. “And that levels of knowledge about its contents and its achievements are not well understood by either industry members or external bodies.” Feedback indicated this lack of knowledge was more acute among crash repairers than the insurance industry. The review also found dispute resolution remained an ongoing issue for some parties. Various
suggested solutions were submitted by respondents, including mandatory dispute resolution, a mandatory national code or the introduction of third-party arbitrators such as government enforcers like an ombudsman. However, these remained contentious solutions with some feedback citing additional cost and jurisdictional overlap as barriers. There was also reported confusion over how the code governed cost and determination disputes. Schaper’s review also found issues on the broader issue of what was enforceable under the code. Other problems include the disruption of traditional work practices in the industry as increased automation and artificial intelligence hit the repair industry. While most participating bodies to the code review did not advocate wholesale changes, the 15 recommendations will demand significant revision. The MVIRI Code Administration Committee is now tasked with turning the report into action, improve governance and customer outcomes and is working on proposals for implementation across all of the recommendations. MVIRI Code Administration Committee chair Stephen Jenkins said the committee has broken down the recommendations into three main areas; those that relate to a re-write of the code, corporate governance and the need for education and promotion of the code. “There is work being undertaken across each of the three areas simultaneously. The committee’s work is presently focused on the first area with further advice to be received on the recommendations relating to governance. “The Committee is working towards the completion of a brief for the re-write of the code, expected to be completed in fourth quarter of this year.
“It is expected that any re-write of the Code would occur in the first half of 2024. There are other enhancements we’re exploring to the website as part of this work also.” Along with the website, spreading the word will be a key measure of the committee’s success. “The committee is very conscious that education and awareness of the workings of the code are important and a program of education across the entire body repair industry will be delivered to assist all participants to understand the code’s functionality and assist in the operation of the industry.” Jenkins says one of the first steps they will take is for the website to be revamped. “The functionality of the website both as to content and functionality will be improved. The committee is mindful of the various legislative rules around disclosure of information and will as best as possibly provide meaningful data surrounding the operation of the code without infringing upon the confidentiality and personal data of industry participants.” “The education and program the committee will roll out will also include the use of social media as well as direct engagement with stakeholders including regulators across Australia to raise the profile of the code.” He said the committee is also working on improving the certainty and timeliness
of the dispute resolution process and sees the changes as an opportunity to provide sustainability across the industry in the operation of the code. “The Body Repair Industry is at a critical juncture with new technologies in vehicles and processes impacting the delivery of services and the code is a mechanism to assist in dealing with these industry challenges.” While the code will remain voluntary, Jenkins believes it is in the best interests of the entire industry to be part of the code. “The committee is working collaboratively and closely to implement the recommendations and considers that the ongoing viability of the industry to be paramount in the delivery of services to the motoring public. “The place of AI within the body repair industry is constantly evolving, the committee sees that the code needs to reflect this industry dynamic. “Personally, I consider that AI as used by all industry participants will fit within both regulatory and educational aspects of the code. One does not know how AI will play out from the perspective of disputes but if the code is properly drafted then it will accommodate this new wave of technology and be technology neutral, so that the code remains fit for the purpose for many years to come.” However, Jenkins said there was still more work to do on other of Dr Schaper’s
recommendations, including the area of issuing sanctions against breaches of the code. Work needs to be done on the jurisdiction of the code before any specific sanctions could be outlined. Other recommendations of Schaper’s also needing more investigation include his advocating for more resources beyond its current arrangement with the ICA and MTAA, and whether the committee needs to go to other sources for any ongoing funding. Despite the challenges of the task ahead, Jenkins is a strong advocate of the code, arguing an uptake in industry participants would add more certainty to a changing industry and add to the effectiveness of an industry-wide code, critical to its future growth and harmony. “There are a number of benefits for a repair business in being a signatory of the code. These include that the insurer which they may deal with is obliged to comply with the requirements of the code in the management and assessment of any claims. This provides some certainty around the process and removes the ability for an insurer to unreasonably or arbitrarily alter the repairer’s estimate. “In addition, if any dispute arises between the repairer and the insurer, the repairer is able to access the dispute resolution provisions of the code. This provides a mechanism for dealing with issues between the Insurer and repairers that are covered by the code.”
Motor vehicle insurance claims are the largest number across Australia.
The National Collision Repairer 23
Talking Shop
An investment in workshop efficiency Equipment in any workshop is a serious investment. For those who are at the front line of repairs, it is an investment in quality and efficiency. It is also at the heart of partnerships, which are key to a thriving repair business. Well-known repair equipment manufacturer Car-O-Liner is celebrating fifty years in the industry as a global company. But what does this mean for the workshops and technicians with their hands on the cars being repaired? The floor of well-established workshop Flagstaff Autobody in Kensington, Victoria might look like a catalogue for Car-O-Liner equipment but for business owner John Barry, the case for his loyalty to a brand is in the difference it makes on the workshop floor on a daily basis. “The good tool is a tool that gets used every day and these benches are used every day,” Barry says. “I’m a huge supporter of Car-O-Liner. The majority of our equipment is from them. We have four Quick42 measuring benches. They are the best bench that I have ever used or seen used in more than 50 years in the industry. “These benches are for doing the measuring process on severely damaged motor cars and my guys use them as their everyday bench. Every job they repair goes onto that bench because it gives them their exact height to work at. It’s just so flexible — with all the inclusions, with the air and the hydraulics built into the bench. It’s just such a great tool, they tend to use it every day of the week. I’ve set them in all my booths, so they’ve got their own bay with all their Car-O-Liner equipment in it, so they don’t have to wait for anything.” For Barry this investment has led to major efficiencies and improvements in the workshop including job time saving and higher turnover. “In our trade, we replace a quarter panel section for instance, a pretty common job to do every day of the week. If you’re doing that (lying) on
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a floor you will be nowhere near as efficient as if you stick it onto your Quick42 bench, as my guys do. They’re up working at whatever height they want with all the assistance systems, with internal jacking on the benches. They’ve got everything they could possibly need to make their job easier. So, with that comes efficiency. It’s just a much more efficient way of doing things and better on the guys as well because they’re not on the floor. “The actual functioning of the benches is very easy. On some benches the loading is an ordeal in itself but with the Quick42 it is just seconds. You just drive the car onto the bench, set it at whatever height you are working at, go about the job, roll it back off and onto the next one. I see this time after time after time. “The guys just work on their benches.
Having all the necessary equipment on hand reduces delays.
Even if they’ve got the option of working on the floor, no one ever chooses to do that. They’ve got their own bay with their own bench, their own welders and everyone just becomes extremely productive.” “I’ve had many benches over the years in the industry and a lot of them become very expensive bumper bar racks pushed into the corner. Because they’re inefficient to work on and inefficient to load. There are many shortcomings to different types of benches but the Quick42 bench from Car-O-Liner is the ultimate as far as I’m concerned, and I say that because I’ve watch it get used every day.” Barry says the investment was incremental but as a he developed a system around a well-equipped workshop, he saw the overall efficiency and productivity of the whole crew rise.
“I started with one bench like everyone. Any shop could get away with one or two. But as I realised the potential of giving a guy the appropriate equipment and them not having to wait then I set about setting up a second bay, then a third bay, a fourth bay and a fifth bay. They all become as productive as one another. It’s a definite investment into a very smooth process.” This faith in the gear and the company has extended to further investment including Car-O-Liner’s welders, their
measuring systems and four-wheel drive bracketing and alignment systems to mount and repair four-wheel drives. Car-O-Liner has also supplied Flagstaff Autobody with mounting kits for BMW, Mercedes, Volkswagen and EVO kits for aligning and repairing chassis. With more than five decades of experience, the investment is one Barry has taken seriously and he has been rewarded with confidence. “I can say this because I bought it all and I bought it with my eyes open. I am
The Car-O-Liner lifts allow vehicles to be worked on at an exact height.
Dedicated equipment in each working bay leads to efficiency in the workshop.
not a novice in the industry and like I say, good tools get used every day and Car-O-Liner gets used every day.” Barry says this loyalty is reciprocated by the company with sales and repair support in Victoria that is critical at getting gear back into operation quickly whenever there are problems. “And we have no problem with support whatsoever, they’re a phone call away and they’re here immediately,” Barry says. “I had one of our guys put a bench down and cut the cord that controls the bench when he got it tangled behind the wheel. It shouldn’t happen but it did. Car-O-Liner were out within an hour to replace it. “You really need that support once your equipment’s down. You’ve got to have access to get it up and running or it can cost some serious money. It’s not only because of the cost to repair it but it’s the lack of productivity.” He said the rapid response and knowledge of their own equipment, including quick diagnostics and explanations plus access to parts and repair materials meant Car-O-Liner had minimised the down time and, in most cases, had issues dealt with on the same day. For Barry, the sales support is enhanced by the people in the industry, particularly long-serving service staff like Victorian Car-O-Liner representative Lindsay Batten. “I have been dealing with Lindsay for as long as I can remember and he’s a stalwart in the industry. Well known and really knows his stuff and that helps to have a guy who’s second to none, knows how to operate and knows the equipment back-to-front.” The results of the partnership for Flagstaff Autobody are tangible according to Barry and the reward for a supplier like Car-O Liner is his continued loyalty. “They are a good partner, and we would not consider changing or even going down the line of having different type of equipment,” Barry says. “We’re about to invest in a couple more welders. We have that much faith in the support and the actual quality of the gear. It’s been around for a long time. I’ve seen it develop over the years and they’ve got to a point now where their stuff is top end.” The National Collision Repairer 25
Special Feature
Added vision
The global augmented reality market is expected to grow at a rate of 35 per cent by 2030. Augmented reality, the technology that allows the user to see the real world overlaid with digital data, has compelling applications to automotive safety and repair. Frank Baldrighi, business development manager – Australia and New Zealand, GETAC, looks at how repair shops can elevate their remote systems with AI and AR support. Digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality are becoming increasingly powerful catalysts for innovation across industries worldwide. In the automotive sector (AR), augmented reality is driving a significant transformation; in fact, its market size is expected to reach nearly US$7 billion globally by 2030. AR adds a virtual world on top of a physical one, blending real and virtual components together to enhance the user experience. The utilisation of AR technology delivers significant benefits across the value chain in the automotive industry, streamlining processes for everything from design and manufacture to testing, fine-tuning, and even sales. One of the biggest benefits it delivers to the industry is in automotive repair. Technological advances have led to modern vehicles with increased
complexities - such as advanced digital features, increased sensor usage, and more autonomous functionalities which have stretched the boundaries of traditional repair shops. In short, more complex vehicles need more complex maintenance and repairs. Consequently, the industry has seen a surge in the use of AR, supported by AI and Internet of Things (IoT) to support repair. Four key applications of AR have emerged as game-changers for the automotive industry: 1. Remote diagnostics. Increased demand from drivers and vehicle owners for near-real-time vehicle assessments has led to a growth in the use of AR and AI to support remote diagnostics. Smart glasses enhanced with AR and AI technologies, or rugged tablets tethered with a rugged IP camera, let technicians use diagnostic software in real-time to
AR makes additional high-tech information available in real time for the workshop.
26 www.nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au
conduct remote system health checks for vehicles quickly and efficiently. The rugged device lets technicians automatically collect vehicle data and share it for remote analysis while inspecting the vehicle. Combining these technologies with skill of human technicians means repairers can assess the vehicle more accurately to ensure its system operates within its specific design parameters. It also streamlines diagnostic assessment, reduces time to repair, and avoids potential downtime. This can lead to lower costs and increased customer satisfaction. 2. Remote expert support. The need for more complex repairs has led to an increased demand for skilled technicians that are capable of properly servicing modern vehicles. As technology advances rapidly, it can be difficult for technicians to keep on the leading edge of transformation. However, AR can be used to enhance technicians’ capabilities by providing them with digital twins that let them blend physical and virtual worlds for quick and efficient troubleshooting. With remote expert support and using a digital twin, technicians and mechanics can visualise a digital repair and make any necessary corrections or tweaks in the digital world before applying the repair to the physical vehicle or part. 3. Intelligent step-by-step troubleshooting. AR can also be a valuable tool to help guide mechanics and technicians through a comprehensive diagnostics process to identify potential issues, eliminating guesswork and reducing inefficiencies caused by hard-to-solve root cause failures. The biggest benefit of AR’s application in this capacity is the potential to leverage AI and machine learning (ML) to automatically review
server data for other similar failures on record, and continuously use the most up-to-date techniques, best practices, and methods to repair issues. This can help to significantly improve first-time fix ratios for repairers as well as save time. 4. Predictive maintenance. AR lets automotive repair shops futureproof their services with predictive maintenance capabilities. Repairers can consolidate vehicle information, repair history, and diagnostic software data, and then use AR to effectively extrapolate a component’s lifecycle and provide trend-based failure predictions. Taking this more proactive approach lets repairers empower their customers to optimise maintenance timings and avoid potential breakdowns, saving both time and money.
Preparing repairers for the future of the automotive industry
AR delivers essential benefits to repairers that will significantly expand the capabilities of repair shops, measurably boosting efficiencies and knowledge for technicians and mechanics that manage complex repairs. AR enhances automotive repairs by leveraging the spatial relationships of actual vehicle components and giving technicians a
robust toolkit to improve repair efficacy, speed, and quality. Ultimately, this translates to a more efficient service for customers. AR’s fusion with automotive repair is a powerful example of technology’s transformative capacity. By enhancing remote diagnostics, intelligent troubleshooting, predictive maintenance, and expert support, AR is not only revolutionising automotive repair but also paving the way for the industry’s digital future. Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, incar video systems, digital evidence management, and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getac’s solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries spanning defence, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. For more information visit: www.getac.com. Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube.
Why augmented reality?
Global Data, in its investigation into the future worth of augmented reality to the automotive industry, found several key points of value that are likely to ensure its continued uptake.
Safety
Augmented reality has the potential to enable the safer operation of vehicles through easily understandable head-up displays of the outside world. By overlaying navigation instructions on real-world images, AR enables more precise guidance based on the actual road layout facing the driver. From a practical perspective, this means junction exits and final destinations can be visibly highlighted, along with potential hazards, including potholes, pedestrians, and other vehicles.
Better quality control
Augmented reality can also ensure the faster training of automotive staff according to Global Data’s report overview. For the manufacturing and repair industries, augmented reality headsets can reduce both the error rate and the amount of time spent quality checking components before they are put together. This reduces the likelihood of cars being recalled due to manufacturing errors and increases the amount of time a vehicle can be on the road before it requires repair.
Selling points
Augmented reality has the potential to add to workshop efficiencies for complex repairs.
With more autonomy in the vehicle comes the ability to integrate more AR technology. In semiautonomous vehicles, vehicle occupants, particularly the driver, have more time to devote to tasks other than driving the car. Drivers and passengers can interact with onboard entertainment systems through AR without being constantly aware of their surrounding environment, acting as a new attraction to buyers. Read the full report at www.globaldata.com The National Collision Repairer 27
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The National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement Awards ceremony is held annually to induct recipients and acknowledge each individual for their outstanding service to the collision repair industry. In 2024, the Lifetime Achievement Awards Gala evening will see two further awards presented on the night: The Future Leader of the Year Award; and The Woman in Automotive Award.
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Future Technology
Is ADAS calibration on your radar? Level one and level two advanced driver assistance systems are becoming common on modern cars and even more sophisticated levels of increasing automation are just around the corner. What they all have in common are sophisticated sensors to make them work, so treating them carefully in the repair process is key to the vehicle’s safety. Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) might sound like futuristic technology, but safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Adaptive (Automatic) Cruise Control, Automatic Parking Assist (APA) Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Detection, Rear Cross Traffic Alert and Driver Drowsiness Detection are now common features on many vehicles operating on our roads today. Understanding ADAS and the components behind the technology can be daunting and often confusing but is necessary in maintaining and safely servicing today’s vehicles. Currently it is estimated that only some 20 to 30 per cent of required calibrations are being performed after technicians have worked on a vehicle. The first thing that every workshop needs to know if it is planning on working on ADAS equipped vehicles
is when the sensors for these systems require calibration.
When is calibration required?
Firstly, it may be helpful to understand why these sensors require calibration. The cameras and radars fitted to today’s vehicles are referencing the thrust line of the vehicle, so whenever any work is done that has the potential to change the vehicles thrust line, the vehicles OEM will generally state that a calibration is required to be performed. This includes changes to the wheel alignment, particularly rear toe, as well as ride height – it is imperative that the sensors are “looking” in the correct direction. Overall, sensors generally require calibration after any of the following occurrences: • A fter the sensor has been removed and refitted.
The number of ADAS elements on a car are increasing in number and sophistication.
• After post-accident repairs to the body geometry. • After changes to the vehicles ride height. • After a suspected impact on the sensor. • After a wheel alignment is performed. • If the ECU detects exceeded tolerance levels for the measuring field. • For a camera, after the windscreen has been replaced (even if the camera is not mounted on the windscreen.) • If a trouble code has been logged, indicating calibration is required. • If the OEM service information states calibration is required.
How Hella Gutmann can help?
Hella has been developing and manufacturing Radar sensors since the early 2000’s and is now into their fifth generation of sensor technology. The company also develops software, other components and systems that are supplied to multiple OEMs to contribute to a vehicle’s ADAS. Supplying many European and Asian OEM’s, Hella is considered a leader in radar technology and continues to push the boundaries to further evolve vehicle safety systems. Being wholly owned by Hella, Hella Gutmann has the necessary know how and an award-winning, user-friendly, modular camera and radar calibration tool, compatible with most ADASequipped vehicle models. For a no obligation discussion with one of our ADAS calibration specialists, call 1800 061 729 or email hgscustomersupport@hella.com The National Collision Repairer 29
Industry, Training and Events
High voltage batteries – A starting point for shop owners With a lot of misinformation around regarding high-voltage batteries for modern vehicles, I-CAR Australia provides an overview on how to treat vehicles with HV batteries, the terminology needed and information to help clear up some of the misconceptions. First and foremost, any major electrical work carried out on a vehicle should only be done by trained professionals, this is for the safety of all staff as a HV battery cannot be instantaneously discharged of the energy even when the vehicle has been disabled and the high voltage has been isolated to the HV battery system.
What vehicles currently have HV batteries? High voltage batteries are present within the following modern vehicles
High voltage EV batteries require care and training while being repaired or handled.
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• Hybrid vehicles (Includes plug in hybrids – PHEV) • Fuel cell vehicles (Includes hydrogen fuel vehicles) • Electric vehicles (Full electric vehicles) These vehicles contain high-voltage batteries and components, meaning they have an electrical system that is 60-volt DC (30-volt AC) and higher, current EVs run between 400-800 volts.
Location of HV batteries
Battery location varies based on the technology, manufacturer and size
of the battery used in the vehicle. For EVs (full electric vehicles), the battery is generally under the floor pan of the vehicle, for plug in hybrids (PHEVs) and fuel cell vehicles the battery is usually in the boot space or under the rear seats of the vehicle.
Orange cables/labels – The standard indicator for high voltage cables and components Since the late 1990s, high voltage cabling and connections are coloured bright orange this is to clearly show where high-voltage power is flowing or
connected. High voltage components may not be orange, but if an orange cable is connected to it, it’s considered to accept high voltage currents.
Storing vehicles with HV batteries before assessment
Isolate the vehicle 15m away from all other vehicles and structures if possible until assessment has begun. Damaged EVs should ideally be kept separate from other vehicles and structures to prevent potential fire spread and this also keeps the battery well ventilated to dispel hazardous gases if there is an issue. Vehicles fitted with HV batteries should be kept out of the weather and protect any exposed battery components from rain and moisture to avoid fires. It is a good rule to monitor the vehicle for the first 48 hours post accident before assessment. We know that not every shop owner can do this just the ideal best practice.
Vehicle HV disabling, high- voltage disconnect or HV electrical isolation procedures You may see the term HV disabling procedure or HV service disconnect, technically these terms describe a
procedure that is used to isolate and disconnect the HV battery form the vehicle and HV components that use energy from the HV battery. Once the procedure is initiated the HV battery is now isolated and disconnected from the vehicles electrical systems and circuitry. This does not discharge the HV battery in any way. High voltage energy will still be present inside the battery system. Every OEM will have a set of specific procedures to follow to disconnect the HV battery from the vehicles electrical system. These procedures must be followed and not doing so can lock you out of a vehicle or a range of other issues may arise from not following the correct procedures.
Why do I need to disable the HV battery?
Isolating the HV battery separates the battery from other vehicle components that use the power from the HV battery. Once isolated these components cannot be energised and can then provide a safe work platform for repairers to begin general repairs. PPE still needs to be worn when working around any HV related components even after the HV battery
connection has been disabled. Repairers and technicians need to be aware that even components and cables that are nowhere near the HV battery can still be hazardous. Components such as electrical motors, power steering, air conditioning, heaters, inverters, converters, and other components that operate under highvoltage power in EVs.
Towing/transportation
Always transport any electric vehicle with all four tires secured and off the ground. Make sure the rear wheels cannot rotate during transportation as rotating of the wheels can lead to the vehicle trying to charge the battery which we do not want in the event of an accident. Conventional flatbed tow trucks are recommended as they allow the wheels to remain stationary.
What do to if you think the battery has been damaged upon further inspection?
First, if there is any smoke or vapour coming from the battery compartment contact emergency response as the battery system maybe compromised and be in a state of thermal runaway.
High voltage batteries are becoming increasingly common both in full BEVs and hybrids.
The National Collision Repairer 31
Industry, Training and Events
Always assess the vehicle outside until assessment has competed and do not attempt to remove a battery system from an EV, the general rule is if the battery is faulty then it needs to be replaced. If you feel Intense or uneven areas of heat near the battery casing (never touch the battery system inside & always use the correct PPE) the battery maybe damaged and thermal runaway can occur, the vehicle should be placed outside until the issue is properly accessed. Do not touch the battery system as there is an electrocution risk from the HV damaged batteries after an accident. Trapped lethal levels of residual direct current electricity known as stranded energy can be present in the battery which can cause electrocution. If there is no serious or life threating concerns, then contact the OEM and follow the required procedure for handling a damaged battery pack. Store the vehicle outside 15m away from any other ignition sources.
What is thermal runaway?
In chemistry, thermal runaway is a strong chemical exothermic reaction that is accelerated by rising temperatures which create a feedback loop of rising temperature. Generally a cell in the battery short circuits the electrolyte inside the cell and ignites. The process is a positive temperature feedback effect (exothermic reaction) releasing excessive heat, toxic gases, and flammable vapours. The heat can affect nearby cells also sending them into thermal runaway. If you notice Intense or uneven areas of heat on the battery surface, smoke or vapour from the battery this can be a sign of thermal runaway. Thermal runaway can cause extremely hot fires, melting of vehicles batteries and explosions, so its important to recognise the dangers associated with this chemical reaction. As stated, if thermal runaway is occurring contact emergency response immediately.
When to use PPE
High-voltage servicing of the battery or other components such as electrical motors, power steering, air conditioning, heaters, DC-DC converter, inverters,
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converters system main relay, service plug receptacle and fuses and any other component with orange cabling or labels will require the use of PPE even when the HV battery has been isolated and/or disconnected. Most OEMs provide PPE requirements for working with any vehicle with HV battery systems. PPE is a long and in-depth topic which cannot be fully discussed in such a short article but gloves are to be worn at all times when working around the above components, gloves come in several insulation classes. There are six classes of electrical gloves - Class 00 to Class 4, depending on the maximum use voltage that the gloves can withstand. As gloves specifications alone is a lengthy topic and as stated is best to reference the OEM requirements for the current PPE requirements but here is the class breakdown: • Class 00 protects workers up to 500V AC and 750V DC • Class 0 protects workers up to 1,000V AC and 1,500V DC • Class 1 protects workers up to 7,500V AC and 11,250V DC • Class 2 protect workers up to 17,000V AC and 25,500V DC • Class 3 protects workers up to 26,500V AC and 39,750V DC • Class 4 protects workers up to 36,000V AC to 54,000V DC
Lifting points
If you need to assess or repair sections of the vehicle under neath or even to change tyres, rakes or suspension and you need to hoist or lift the vehicle. All vehicles with HV battery systems have specific lift points which need to be followed as to not to damage the battery compartments of the vehicle. Lifting points are generally stamped into the unibody or have specified instructions in the service manual. Specific EVs require blocks inserted into holes for the lift points. Lifts need sufficient rated capacity and the capability to engage with the lifting points but Just about any lift can lift an EV or HEV car it just has to be done the right way. Summing up, this is just a brief overview, proper training and knowledge is needed when working with any HV components. I-CAR Australia recommends every
shop to have a touchless voltage detector which can quickly test for power in a component or cable which is ideal for working on vehicles with HV batteries.
Course considerations
I-CAR Australia highly recommends the following courses for general technicians in the automotive repair industry to get associated with high voltage safety and HV battery systems. • Electric vehicle damage analysis | VT455E01 • Introduction to electric vehicle service considerations | VT460E01 • Understanding high-voltage safety | VT405E02 • Ford introduction to high voltage battery service for collision repair | FO012E01
Course Spotlight: Understanding High Voltage Safety
This course is a 45 min online course that explains the elements of electricity and the relationship between voltage, current and resistance with high voltage systems. This course describes the effects of electricity on the body and lists the required PPE when working around high voltage. The major parts of an electric vehicle high voltage (HV) system, HV safety measures in a vehicle design and the methods to reduce shock risks are also introduced and described within the course modules. Topics consists of the following: Elements of electricity, parts of an electrical circuit, effects of electricity on the body, personal protection for high voltage safety, general safety precautions, electric vehicle HV systems, HV floating system, HV safety measures. Course Code: VT405E02 Course format: online training with post-test Points: 0.25 Estimated duration: 1 hour Pro level role relevancy: estimator, assessor, non-structural technician, structural technician
Future Leaders
A happy workshop Capital S.M.A.R.T Repairs Hallam centre manager Daniel Wells, who recently won AMA Group’s ‘Rising Leader of the Year’ for Victoria, has been with the group for 15 years but, like many industry leaders, his accumulated knowledge goes back much further. Even before he was born, the knowledge and passion that has contributed to Daniel Wells’ career in the repair industry was taking shape. In his case it was his father opening a panel business all the way back in 1977 and from that starting point, Daniel has spent his life in panel shops. After working as a painter, then acting as a mentor and organiser at many of the Capital S.M.A.R.T workshops, Wells moved into managing shop floors before taking an extra step up last year and taking the reins at the Hallam centre. But the real achievement, according to Wells, has been implementing a workshop culture he believes in so strongly. This takes place in the world of rapid high-turnover repairs at S.M.A.R.T where the pressure to meet timelines for lower-severity collision repairs can be intense. “Workshop culture is absolutely the number one thing for me,” Wells says. Wells believes in a strong work ethic, something that comes from early days of painting more than 15 cars a day, but he also believes as a manager in open and honest communication with his staff about the workload. “The most important element of running a good shop is being honest and transparent with my boys,” Wells says. “We have targets and metrics in place at S.M.A.R.T, everything’s run by numbers, and I’ve told everybody that as soon as the work is done, and we have good carry over for the next day or the next week, everybody goes home.”
Wells shares this openness with his managers to create a unified approach to the work. “I have a great guy here who runs my shop floor for me. I’m transparent with him about what I want every day. He and I are transparent with the boys on the floor about what needs to be done. We write lists for everybody, so they can see in front of them what needs to be done. We’re fully organised and we just try to stay as organised and transparent as possible. Everybody knows their job and everybody’s working towards the same goal.” Like most people in the industry his centre has felt the wider recruitment issues and technicians moving on, but he believes a great workplace culture can go a long way to recruiting and retaining staff. “Sometimes the solution is about giving people the opportunity to do the things they love,” Wells says. “One of my assemblers, we hired him five months ago. He had been unpacking shipping containers and not happy with his job. We started him off as a disassembler. He was a bit of a car enthusiast, so he was reasonably familiar with cars. We started him off disassembling cars and now he’s working alongside the boys doing basic stripping assembly work every day, and he’s a great assembler.” Wells believes this love of the trade can acquire and retain good staff, helping build a real strength for a business. “It’s got to be a job that you love,” he says. “You can’t just have somebody
Capital S.M.A.R.T Repairs Hallam centre manager Daniel Wells.
coming in here or any panel shop and just clocking in and out every day. It’s not that kind of a trade. It’s a tough job. It’s dirty. You’re lying on the ground. You’re on your knees, it’s hard work.” But Wells points out that the job satisfaction in a well-run workshop is great and the learning opportunities lead to personal development and career pathways. “And this working on the shop floor, it can pass you into so many different job roles within the auto industry,” he adds. For Wells, thrilled as he is at the recognition as a future leader, the chief satisfaction is in working toward a happy and productive workplace. “I’m over the moon to be recognised for the great work,” he says. “Coming in and leading a shop and having such a strong mindset on how I want to run it specifically and to see that it’s paying off has made it. “I sleep well at night knowing that my boys are happy and that the direction I want my shop travelling in, seems to be the right direction.”
IAG’s ongoing support and sponsorship of these awards is greatly appreciated, as is the support from I-CAR Australia, who donates two training courses valued at over $500 to each Future Leader of the Industry. The National Collision Repairer 33
Stateside with John Yoswick
ADAS brings new challenges for repairers – even in the paint shop The technicians conducting scanning, replacements of sensors or cameras, and ADAS reprogramming and calibrations are well aware of the challenges this new technology brings to collision repair. But ADAS is having impacts in the refinish department as well. During a panel discussion at a recent industry event in the United States, paint company representatives were asked about some not uncommon practices in shop paint departments. Some painters, for example, will sometimes use leftover paint from another job as a ground coat on a vehicle with a similar colour. But ADAS has the paint manufacturers even more vehemently warning against this short-cut practice. Radar sensors located behind bumpers, for example, can be impacted by anything in between the sensor and what it is detecting – and that includes the metallic coatings being sprayed in body shops. “It’s not all metallics, and it’s not all metallics [affecting the ADAS] in the same way,” Jeff Wildman of BASF said. “Certain sizes and shapes impact differently.” That makes following the “radarapproved” formulas for products being sprayed in the areas over sensors critical. “When you look up a colour, we’re going to tell you if you need a tinted undercoat,” Wildman said. “A tinted undercoat is not the leftover silver you have. It’s following the procedures for how you match this colour. In a lot of cases, that tinted undercoat is required because we have a transparent colour. To get the colour match, you actually have to see through the basecoat to the tinted undercoat.” It also means painters shouldn’t “put on six coats to get coverage because they didn’t use the right undercoat,” Wildman said, because the thickness over the sensors can impact their performance as well.
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“It’s just like if you look at any OEM repair procedure and it tells you no body filler over the radar units,” he said. “It’s the same type of thing. Any material that goes over that is going to have some impact on that radar transmission. It’s just a matter of how much.” “I don’t think there’s such a thing as a ‘cosmetic repair’ of a bumper anymore,” Gary Kilby of Sherwin-Williams said of ADAS-equipped vehicles. “It has to include consideration of the metallic content, whether the bumper has been previously painted, how many millimetres of basecoat are you going to put on it. You have to make sure you’re [measuring thickness of material on]
the bumpers before you repair them, and after.” The paint companies also are cautioning against another “workaround” practice some paint shops do when thickness on a repainted bumper cover is too high: grinding or sanding down the back side of the cover. “You no longer have a totally flat, level surface, and that’s going to impact the radar behind that bumper,” Wildman said. “Because now you have different thicknesses of material in different areas right over that radar unit that potentially can impact how that transmission goes out. It could deflect the radar to the right or left.” ADAS sensors add new complexity to spray jobs in the workshop.
Tracy Frye, a technical consultant with AkzoNobel, said this is also why it’s important not to blend over an area with a radar sensor behind it. “That can cause the radar to give a scattered effect,” he said. “Everything needs to be uniform over that area.” The paint companies also say the formulas for the colours sprayed on those parts have been specially approved and can’t be altered. “It’s called a radar variant, and we flag it that way in our colour information system,” Wildman said, noting that for a particular colour, a waterborne formula may be approved, for example, when the solvent version isn’t. “It’s the only colour that’s approved for use over a radar sensor in repainting a bumper.” “That means you can’t go tinting the formula,” Kilby concurred. “You can’t say, ‘I want to bring this colour in a little bit closer’ because if a painter tries to tint it, now the formula is no longer radar approved. To be straightforward, colour match may have to sacrifice a little bit to make sure that formula is radar-approved.” That may mean additional steps if the colour match isn’t there. “Unfortunately, there’s going to be more blending” onto adjacent areas, Kilby said. “We know the challenges of getting insurance companies to pay to blend for bumpers, but in this case, it may have to be a blend because of the radar. If you have a colour formulation that’s not blendable, we would contact the colour lab. Maybe we send a panel in overnight and try to dial that colour in a little bit closer.
Sherwin-Williams’ Gary Kilby.
It could be a variant out there that we just haven’t found yet. But you can’t tint these radar-approved ones.” All these new challenges add to the importance of including paint considerations early in the process, during repair planning. “Understand what you need to do before you get that car in the booth on Friday morning and are planning to deliver it that afternoon,” Wildman said. “Typically, painters have not had to look at repair procedures. Working with painters, they don’t know how to do that today. ‘It’s a simple bumper repair. Get it in, get it painted and get it back on the car.’ That’s the way some shops and painters look at it. We’ve got to change that mentality. Because the painter and shop need to understand what’s behind that bumper. It’s really got to be driven from the front office as part of the repair plan.” In addition to following paint manufacturer guidelines for painting bumper covers over radar sensors, shops should also be aware of the growing number of vehicles requiring a radar power test after post refinishing and after the system is calibrated. “It’s a static function test to see if painting a bumper has reduced the power of a radar sensor too much,” Nick Dominato, director of product management for I-CAR in the United States, said. The test is needed if the system uses higher resolution radar for blind spot systems that are able to identify not just a vehicle in the blind spot but even
BASF’s Jeff Wildman.
smaller objects such as a bicycle. The test uses “essentially a metal pole on wheels,” Dominato said, to measure when the system is engaged how much the bumper cover is reducing the power signal of the radar sensor. “If it’s within a certain band, you’re good to go,” but if it’s beyond that, you may have to scrap the bumper cover if repainting is not allowed by the automaker, Dominato said. The test is currently required for some Mercedes-Benz and Toyota vehicles. “I think we’re going to see a lot more of these radar power tests in the future,” he said. Dominato said the percentage of vehicles on the road with a forwardfacing ADAS camera will climb sharply in the coming years. While 89 per cent of all 2023 model year vehicles include such a camera, only about 25 per cent of the total population of vehicles on the road have them. “By 2026, we’re going to see a 50 per cent increase,” Dominato said. “We’re going to go from a quarter of the vehicles on the road to about 4 in 10. By 2030, we’re going to see another 50 per cent increase. So we’re going to go from 25 per cent to 40 per cent to 60 per cent of vehicles on the road with at least one ADAS system.” John Yoswick, a freelance writer based in the United States, has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988, and is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Network; (www.CrashNetwork.com).
AkzoNobel technical consultant Tracy Frye.
The National Collision Repairer 35
Global News
PPG celebrates 140 years with new customer centre The world was a very different place 140 years ago when John Pitcairn and Captain John B. Ford nailed up the sign for their brand-new business – Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. Back in 1883, the mission was to produce America’s first marketable plate glass and from this humble start it laid the foundations for a history rich in innovation and achievements that has now spanned the globe, including production facilities in Australia. The company, now known as PPG, has gone on a transformational journey to become a leading paint, coatings and specialty materials manufacturer and will celebrate its 140-year history with a dedicated customer and staff centre at its head office in the US. PPG now has over 52,000 employees in more than 70 countries, and a focus
on local manufacture thanks to network of around 120 production facilities, including local sites in Clayton (Victoria), Villawood, NSW along with Auckland, New Zealand. PPG products are part of day-to-day life without most customers knowing it, reaching beyond the automotive repair industry where they are well known. Customers choose PPG products for an extraordinary range of applications, from cars, trucks and motorcycles to aircraft, ships, homes, commercial structures, and everyday items, such as sports shoes, whitegoods, tennis rackets and beverage containers. To celebrate both the past legacy and the current scope of the company, PPG is marking its 140th Anniversary, with a special customer and employee experience centre at its global
headquarters in the city of Pittsburgh. Spanning 130 square metres, it’s designed to showcase the innovative paints, coatings and specialty materials and technologies from across the organisation. PPG president and CEO says Tim Knavish says the centre will exemplify the company’s purpose summed up in its motto “to protect and beautify the world”. “The modern design enables increased collaboration by providing an innovative, open environment for everyone who works at or visits our global headquarters,” Knavish says. “One of PPG’s enterprise growth focus areas is to modernise our operations around the world, and this is another step forward in that journey.”
ADAS uptake will save thousands of lives, US study determines A new US study into the uptake of advanced Driver Assistance Systems has found the technology will prevent 37 million crashes and save up to 250,000 lives by 2050 in that country. The study sponsored by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety and investigated by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Kreuger Consulting estimates up to 69 per cent of cars in the US will be equipped with Level 2 ADAS by 2050. While this uptake is at the top end of the scale, with low estimates at only 30 per cent of cars in the US, the study estimated preventing up to 16 per cent of crashes and 22 per cent of deaths that would otherwise occur on US roads without ADAS technologies. However, the study stipulates the
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results will be affected by complex factors that will occur over the next three decades including how well the technology improves over this period, how widely it is offered and whether drivers use it or not. The increasingly common Level Two ADAS features included in cars which the study looked at were blind spot monitoring, lane departure, forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking and lane keeping assistance. Level Two ADAS is not fully autonomous and requires constant supervision from the driver and is currently the maximum level of ADAS legislated in Australia. The study found that in the US a third of nonfatal and half of fatal crashes
involve lane departure, many of which occur in darkness so that lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance systems will contribute significantly to lowering the road toll in a single year. “ADAS would be expected to prevent approximately 38 per cent of all traffic fatalities that would have occurred in 2050 given current levels of ADAS effectiveness, uptake, and use, meaning that 62 per cent of those fatalities (or approximately 27,000 fatalities) would still be expected to occur despite the anticipated ubiquity of ADAS by 2050,” the researchers found. The report also cautioned about the future real-world safety benefits of ADAS without high rates of uptake. The benefits could be larger if the technology proved highly attractive to consumers.
Tech complaints leave some owners wary, survey finds Full electric vehicle owners encounter more problems with advanced technology than do owners of traditional petrol vehicles according to the latest US report into consumer responses. The J.D. Power 2023 US Tech Experience Index focuses on the user experience with advanced vehicle technology as it first comes to market and is an early measure of problems encountered by vehicle owners and shows the annoyance factor is producing a degree of pushback for some vehicle owners. EVs have more quality problems per 100 vehicles than for internal combustion engine vehicles in the study of 17 of 21 advanced tech features offered on both fuel versions. It analyses 40 advanced automotive technologies, which are divided into four categories: convenience; emerging automation; energy and sustainability; and infotainment and connectivity. The study is based on responses from 82,472 owners of new 2023 modelyear vehicles surveyed after 90 days of ownership in early 2023. The study, that excludes Tesla vehicles as they do not make data available, found satisfaction was lower for EVs across 86 per cent of the advanced technology compared with those on ICE vehicles, with remote parking assistance and interior gesture controls fairing worst. But plug-and-charge technology is well liked by owners including automatic charging at public charging stations with 72 per cent of owners say they want the technology on their next vehicle indicating plug and charge is well executed across most manufacturers and vehicle owners say that it is a muchappreciated feature. For all vehicles looked at in the survey, usage of many safety and advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) technology have declined slightly year over year for regular users according to the study, specifically reverse automatic emergency braking, safe exit assist, and automatic emergency steering. Respondents to the study also found
other advanced technologies like biometrics were not useful and did not want them in their next vehicle including fingerprint readers. Biometrics that monitor behavioural characteristics like eye movement were found to be less problematic than those that monitor physiological characteristics like facial recognition but had more negative feedback. J.D. Power, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology Kathleen Rizk says usage rates were still relatively high but small declines across several technologies were a worrying sign that reinforced the need for automakers to remain diligent on providing a positive customer experience so that trust and perceived feature usefulness are not negatively affected. “Innovation through a strong advanced tech strategy is crucial for all vehicle manufacturers, especially those working to build their reputation in the electric vehicle space,” said Kathleen Rizk says. “The perception in the industry is that most BEVs should offer many advanced technologies to compete with hightech entrants like Tesla. Success will be dependent on those manufacturers that can execute flawlessly, while ensuring the user experience is the same for those who are tech savvy and those who are not.” The J.D. Power study named Hyundai
as its overall innovation leader for the mass market segment marking the fourth consecutive year that Hyundai has secured the top position in the rankings. The 2023 Palisade also received the emerging automation award for reverse automatic emergency braking technology, known at Hyundai as Rear Cross-Traffic Collision-Avoidance Assist. The 2023 Sonata received the infotainment and connectivity award for phone-based Digital Key technology. Hyundai Motor North America director, product planning Ricky Lao says the results underscore Hyundai’s steadfast commitment to pioneering advancements that redefine the driving experience for consumers nationwide. “At the core of our product development philosophy lies the principle of delivering innovative solutions tailored to fulfill our customers’ exact needs,” Lao says. “We enhance customer peace of mind by offering cutting-edge advanced driver assistance systems and user-friendly convenience features, showcasing our dedication to prioritising customer safety and overall satisfaction.” Hyundai ranks highest among mass market brands for innovation with a score of 547. Kia (528) ranks second and GMC (505) ranks third. Genesis GV80 was the premium model receiving the emerging automation award for front cross traffic warning.
Technology is advancing but so are the number of complaints by owners.
The National Collision Repairer 37
Global News
Small steps towards a big goal; Axalta’s report card on carbon neutrality Leading global coatings producer Axalta has made incremental but positive steps towards the ambitious sustainability targets it hopes to reach by the end of the decade. Axalta Coating Systems released its 2020-2022 Sustainability Report, citing progress on ambitious 2030 goals by when it hopes to halve carbon emissions and be fully carbon neutral by 2040. The company’s overarching strategy is to meet goals in environmental, governance and social good and the The report details the targets and the progress that has been made.
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report details progress in the first three years of the strategy. While Scope 1 emissions increased slightly in 2022, Scope 2 greenhouse emissions dropped to 101K tonnes, an overall reduction of 13.35 per cent since 2019. Its greenhouse gas intensity for production also dropped from .31 tonnes per tonne of production in 2021 to .29 last year. The report highlights that the uptake of renewal energy sources is one of its key strategies to meet the targets moving toward 2030.
Axalta also hopes to reduce its water use and waste output by 10 per cent by 2030 and while water use increased in 2022, it has dropped overall since 2019. Increased reuse of recycled water in Michigan and Chinese plants aims to further improve this use. Similarly waste intensity dropped from .061 tons per tonne of production to .059 in 2022, a figure the company hopes to improve further on with the recycling of solvents. The Axalta report also highlights several other wins including being named one of America’s most responsible companies by Newsweek in 2022, incorporating sustainability benefits in 80 per cent of new technology and innovation developments and a nearly 50 per cent increased investment in community engagement efforts between 2020 and 2022. Axalta CEO and President Chris Villavarayan says the company is working toward its 2030 ESG goals across the wide range of targets including emissions, waste, water, diversity and community investment. “Axalta has the responsibility to ensure sustainability remains central to every part of our business as we work to develop, manufacture, and deliver sustainable products for our customers, which enables them to accelerate their own sustainability initiatives,” Villavarayan says. “While we have made meaningful progress, there is still more to do. Working as One Axalta will help us achieve our long-term goals and continue to innovate smarter surface solutions for better living and a sustainable future.” The company’s strategy focuses on developing sustainable products for customers, reducing operational waste and emissions, embedding a culture of diversity and inclusion, and supporting local communities through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs.
PPG invests $5 million in environmental sustainability education PPG is taking its commitment of sustainability to the next generation with a US $5 million investment in local communities. PPG and the PPG Foundation will invest the funds into environmental sustainability education by 2030 aiming to support the next generation of sustainability innovators. It will support educational programming related to topics such as clean energy, climate change, energy efficiency and reforestation. PPG and the PPG Foundation will support educational and volunteer efforts around recycling, reuse and litter reduction.
PPG executive director, PPG Foundation and corporate social responsibility Malesia Dunn says the initiative will maximise the impact within communities where PPG operates. “Sustainability is an integral part of delivering on our promise to protect and beautify the world,” Dunn says. “Through this investment, we aim to educate young people around the world about climate issues, environmental stewardship, and prepare them for future STEM careers.” A series of partnerships and programs are already underway, focused on delivering support at the grassroots level
in a variety of countries to assist both students and educators, particularly in the area of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics). “We believe that STEM careers are at the cutting edge of innovation, and that they will help develop new technologies and processes that can help to address climate change and protect our environment,” says Dunn. “We want to prepare this generation – and generations to come – for this important role.” To learn more about PPG’s sustainability efforts, visit the website; ppg.com/sustainability.
Service stations set to boost charging points Germany has taken some of the most pro-active steps yet in attempts to speed up the transition to electric powered vehicles. Range anxiety and a paucity of charging stations have often been cited as some of the key barriers for uptake of the new-generation vehicles but Germany has moved to rapidly increase the number of charging points by mandating them in its existing service station network. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, while opening the IAA car show in Munich, said Germany would become “the first country in Europe to introduce a law requiring operators of 80 per cent of all service stations to provide fast-charging options with at least 150 kilowatts for e-cars”. Scholz believed the expansion would make range anxiety a thing of the past for EV drivers but no timelines have yet been set down for the roll-out. Europe’s largest economy so far has
only 90,000 public charging points but has a target to reach 1 million charging stations by 2030. Reuters reports Germany has about 1.2 million full EVs on its roads as of April 2023, but is aiming for a target of the 15 million by 2030. The debate on access to charging points and affordable vehicles has never been far from the headlines in Europe where the EU aims to bring car emissions down by 55 per cent from 2021 levels by 2030, and to zero by 2035. EV sales in Europe grew nearly 55 per cent in the first seven months of 2023, to about 820,000 vehicles, making up about 13 per cent of all car sales but the end of subsidies in Germany and the cost of electricity are other factors that appear to have slowed progress. The EU has also set a 2035 phase-out date for traditional combustion driven cars but manufacturing leaders have voiced concern on whether charging infrastructure will be ready and whether
the price of EVs will create social disadvantage and isolation. BMW boss Oliver Zipse last month questioned the capability of Europe’s electric-car charging infrastructure to be ready by the mandatory date. “I think the political requirement to phase out combustion engines is negligent,” Mr Zipse told Handelsblatt. “Where do people charge all the electric cars? There will be no comprehensive infrastructure for electric cars in Europe in 2035. Do you think in 12 years there will be charging stations in every village in regions like southern Italy?” He said the existing price disparity between electric and ICE cars meant without cheaper battery-powered vehicles lower socioeconomic groups could be disadvantaged and left behind. “In the end, this can even become a social problem. If mobility is no longer affordable, you will offend many people.” The National Collision Repairer 39
Business Solutions
A valuable and timely partner As the lingering effects of the COVID pandemic continue to alter the collision industry landscape, it’s proving to be a perfect time to utilise business services. The clue to how PPG’s MVP Business Solution program can support collision repair centres may lie in the name. The ‘MVP’ acronym in PPG’s MVP Business Solutions program doesn’t stand for ‘Most Valuable Partner’, it is actually ‘Maximum Velocity Performance’ but that definition gives an insight in just what they are trying to achieve. The business solutions it offers have been responsible for boosting business performance for a wide range of collision centre operations across the region. MVP business solutions manager ANZ Greg Tunks, says the time is right for businesses to utilise MVP Business Solutions Program to fine-tune operations and make the most of opportunities. “Although the fundamentals of business remain the same across the collision repair industry, it’s no longer ‘business as usual’,” Tunks says. “Thanks to challenges, such as finding and retaining enough skilled staff, insurance company influences, the rise of MSOs, a shrinking pool of repair jobs and an increasing need to operate more efficiently to maintain a reasonable profit margin, owner / managers are under pressure.
Business solutions can be tailored to the individual workshop.
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“Where does an individual repairer start when it comes to tackling these issues? It can be as simple as contacting your nearest MVP Business Solutions consultant – there are six of them who can assist collision repairers right across Australia and New Zealand. The service come as part of the support package you get by using PPG products. One of the key factors that makes the MVP Business Solutions program so powerful is that it’s not one-size-fits-all.” Tunks says whether the collision repair businesses are large, medium or small, what is important is that they get a program that is tailormade to their needs along with no fees for PPG customers. “There is no pressure, repairers can use as little or as much of the MVP Business Solutions services as they want. “It’s important to understand that the MVP Business Solutions team don’t come in and tell a collision centre owner how to run their business. Instead, we listen. Typically, we start off with a consultation process which lets our experts understand the current state of the business, as well as its goals in the short and long term. We see ourselves as an external set of highly experienced eyes which can pinpoint potential underperforming areas and suggest ways to improve them. Using various tools, we work with the owner / manager to
MVP business solutions manager ANZ, Greg Tunks.
implement a detailed plan to strengthen business performance and then follow it through to completion.” “With the resources of PPG’s global network behind it, as well as extensive connections across the local industry, MVP Business Solutions has a very big and very deep toolbox that offers the scope to support repairers in pretty much any area they need it. For example, a common one is to upgrade to bestpractice processes that cover everything from book in and estimating, through to detailing. At a time when costs are going up but the price of repair isn’t, using the latest products, technologies and process to increase efficiency is a smart way to boost profitability. For those who are comfortable with it, we can also look into the business’ financial side to dissect where the income stream comes in and goes out of the business. As a result, you can make decisions based on facts, rather than gut feel. Recently, some of the most popular requests have been for creating a traffic plan or evacuation plan and we also offer a popular facility design service. No matter what you might need in order to remove the roadblocks and hurdles in your business, the MVP Business Solutions team has the answers. You just need to ask.” PPG’s MVP Business Solutions program is available as part of PPG’s comprehensive support package. Enquire at mvp.anz@ ppg.com or call PPG customer service on 13 24 24 (Aus) 0800 320 320 (NZ).
Special Feature
Twice the benefits with a fraction of the footprint Sustainability has become one of the most critical benchmarks for global repair industry players and one manufacturer is stepping up with products that not only deliver on real environmental outcomes but give customers responsible choices. As repair businesses become more aware of their own carbon footprints, BASF is taking bold and practical steps toward offering product options that not only enhance environmental and energy outcomes but also set new standards of transparency for the industry. The Australian launch of the AraClass range from Glasurit, a BASF brand, will be the first in the Asia Pacific region and represents a pioneering step in delivering products with a unique combination of quality, process speed and eco-effectiveness. Glasurit describes eco-effectiveness as a balance of increased profitability with sustainability. AraClass products have been consciously designed with this in mind. AraClass offers a revolutionary new range of clear coats, undercoats and mixing clears, accompanied by solutions designed to create the ultimate finish while still ensuring sustainability. All AraClass EcoBalance products are certified for significant CO2 reduction, meaning they are not only efficient but give businesses an edge in the increasingly important measure of sustainability. Glasurit AraClass Eco Balance products are certified and verified by an independent third
party, the respected German based accreditor, REDcert. EcoBalance products are produced based on BASF’s biomass balance approach which contributes to the use of renewable raw materials in the manufacturing and production process partly manufactured with renewable feedstock, instead of fossil fuels, to reduce CO2 emissions. The October launch of the pioneering products follows a company-wide focus on sustainability and BASF’s ambitious targets across the global company to reduce emissions by 25 per cent by 2030 from 2018 levels and be a zero-emission company by 2050. For the automotive division the specific objectives are a 40 per cent reduction in its carbon footprint by 2030, improving material efficiency by 25 per cent and a target of ensuring 40 per cent of sales are products with these sustainable outcomes. BASF head of sales and marketing, Australia and New Zealand coatings, Sally Jones said the latest products were helping fulfill the wider sustainability objectives of the company. “With the launch of the Glasurit AraClass range, we are extremely excited to bring a revolutionary new range of clear coats and undercoats to the Australian market,” Jones says. “Sustainability is at the heart of what we do, and we are seeing our customers around the world share this value and actively look for products that balance environmental protection, energy consumption and productivity. With Glasurit’s new AraClass range, body shops can now support the environment and at the same time have the guarantee of maximum performance thanks to the use of highly efficient solutions.” The Glasurit AraClass range builds on the commitment to offer the automotive
repair industry with increasingly environmentally friendly options, following the successful launch of Glasurit 100 Line in 2020, the first basecoat line on the market with a volatile organic compound (VOC) value lower than 250 grams per litre. It has also added further products in the line-up with innovative and sustainable technologies based on UV and air-drying technology to further drive savings in the body shop. BASF Strategic Account Specialist, Automotive Coatings Division, Australia and New Zealand Molly Gray who also sits on the BASF Sustainable Development Council said the company was taking a lead role in the shift toward sustainable products and transparency. “The big focus area here for us is reducing the actual carbon footprints of our products and therefore our customers carbon footprint,” Gray says. “Carbon emissions is a big topic for chemical companies and as the leading chemical company, globally, we acknowledge our role to play in driving this. And we understand that transparency with our customers in this space is key. We have globally developed a methodology to calculate the product carbon footprint of our products from cradle to gate, from the very first point of production, including raw materials, from suppliers, right through to the point that the products leave our production gates. “To be able to provide this sort of data for our customers is an amazing step towards creating that transparency with our end users so that they can make conscious decisions to reduce their footprint. And this methodology is already starting to be adopted by other countries globally, which is exciting, and it’s a great step towards creating global standards.” More information: www.glasurit.com/au The National Collision Repairer 41
Product Showcase
Where great storage is never shelved Individuality, flexibility, and beauty. They are not the three words you first associate with a repair workshop but that is the combined effect Car-OLiner is aiming for with its Workshop Solutions series. The workshop organisers and storage are intended to add not only efficiency and productivity to any workshop but also improve its look as well. The popular Car-O-Liner Workshop Solutions provides organised
Car-o-Liner shelving systems are trusted throughout the repair industry.
inventory control solutions such as tool boards, wall sections and separators that allow the workshop to be organised and configured to the unique work bay designs of each workshop. The flexibility of changing easily movable pieces and movable trolleys means each workshop can tailor the location of equipment to minimise unnecessary movement and maximise efficiency and job turnover. Good planning and organisation can then play a part in the profitability of every workshop. The dual objective for Car-O-Liner’s workshop solutions is to optimise body shop performance and deliver a professional image to both staff and customers. This modular system can be expanded and reworked to meet the individual workshop’s needs. Wall sections allow for unique configurations to meet specific requirements with even more flexibility added with free-
standing lower walls that may easily be moved around the shop. These are easy to attach and detach, with walls panels and shelves readily transferred from walls to tool wagons. The shelves also come in varying lengths and widths. Tool boards with magnetic toolmats help keep tools organised and easily identified. The silhouettes are also identified with article numbers for increased order and ease of placement. Finding the tools that are needed for all the workshop technicians becomes faster and more efficient when they are returned to their allocated position. The designated system also helps inventory checks. The system range also includes wheeled cabinets that can move to where and when they are best needed, adding to the efficiency. It also has a wide variety of hooks and holders that are designed to match multiple global car manufacturer’s parts’ designs.
When the job demands small and flexible For small jobs in the workshop, efficiency is everything, so Car-O-Liner have come up with a highly portable, convenient solution aimed at maximising the turnover of cosmetic body repair jobs. The Cosmetic Dent Repair workstation from Car-O-Liner is a value-packed repair cart that allows you to provide professional repairs of light cosmetic damage quickly and efficiently. Repairs of small to medium cosmetic body damage, if carried out quickly can generate good margins and faster cycle times without the need for investments in expensive, heavy equipment. The relatively compact size and small footprint of the CDR1 workstation is ideal for all workshops doing cosmetic repairs on aluminium and steel. Color-coded tools are neatly arranged in the workstation which can be rolled around the workshop as needed. There are also three versions of the CDR1 to adapt to a workshop’s needs with the basic unit including the workstation, the CR235 Combi Spotter
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and two drawers for steel and aluminium. The advanced kit adds a drawer for glue, while the Master Kit adds a drawer for Holding and another for Push-Pull, to make up an all-in-one workstation to cover almost all cosmetic jobs in the workshop. The CR235 combi spotter enhances the versatility and efficiency of the unit. This uniquely designed combi spotter performs equally well pulling dents out of steel or aluminium body panels. It quickly attaches studs for dent pulling or grounding. The high-tech discharge process creates the weld without damaging heat sensitive aluminium parts. Equipped with two dedicated guns, one for steel and one for aluminium, it allows the user to switch quickly between two dedicated guns, without the no need for extra equipment, Disassembly of the panel is not required, and it has the potential to reduce spare parts orders and save up to 40 per cent on repair time. It minimises welding and decreases the
chance of altering panels through heat or burn-through and eliminate the risk for compromised corrosion protection. The combined efficiency promises to increase cycle time and workshop profits. www.car-o-liner.com.au/ The Cosmetic Dent Repair
The dent repair station keeps everything in one place.
The science behind masking tape It may be one of the humblest materials in the average repair workshop, but masking tape is one of its most frequently used products and a vital factor in getting the best outcome for many jobs. The use of masking tape is important in the coating industry, preventing overspray, and protecting other parts during coating process. If repeated use is the best industry testimonial, then Le’Mix’s increasingly in-demand making tape has a staggering commendation from across the industry. Le’Mix masking tape currently sells more than 200,000 rolls per month and Le Mix is considering an automation process to increase productions to keep up with demand. Masking tape has a lot more complexity to its parts than it first appears.
The adhesion to quality is no accident, and behind the quality and success for Le Mix is the often-overlooked science of masking tape. It is this science and looking at closely at the key layers of a masking tape that enables Le Mix to deliver automotive masking tape, renowned for its quality, that is so widely trusted under tough conditions in the coating industry. Knowing the science behind a good masking tape, enables users to choose the correct masking tape in different applications, taking into consideration the environmental conditions, type of material like paints and surface substrate. Adhesive Layer: Le’Mix has a specially formulated adhesive that corresponds to different climates and also takes into consideration pressure sensitivity and its temperature resistance capability. Adhesion Promoter Layer: The adhesion promoter ensures that the adhesive is completely bonded to the paper or carrier and not transferred onto surfaces, providing a clean removal without residual adhesive being left on surface or substrate. Paper/Carrier: Virgin paper will provide the best supporting mechanism to keep all the layers together, the thinner virgin paper enables better elongation and masking around curves, with good
strength yet easy to hand tear. Release: This is the specially formulated coat that plays a significant part in the many roles repairers demand of a good masking tape including: a) Easy release from its own backing, yet strong to bond back when masked back-to-back. b) Provides extra protection to paper from wet paints, eliminates the possibility of paint bleed-through. c) Provides waterproofing or water resistance from water and moisture d) Provides UV protection. e) Temperature resistance capability. For Le’Mix, providing surface coating solutions to the repair industry is key to their business, and while masking tape is an important part of the vast products range, it is the everyday evidence of the company’s commitment to the coating industry and its distributors. Le’Mix, an emerging icon servicing the Australian surface coating industry, has a comprehensive range of automotive & Industrial paints, primers, clear coats, polish and car care, putties and body filler, as well as aerosols and much more. For a full comprehensive range visit www.lemix.com.au or phone 02 9708 4959
Le’Mix local masking tape converting plant provides the ultimate flexibility in producing different sizes and applications for masking tape.
The National Collision Repairer 43
Product Showcase
When the familiar can delivers professional results in half the time Spray cans, also known as rattle cans, are more often associated with DIY, but increasingly professionals are using aerosols to improve productivity as part of a general industry trend known as “Smart Repairs”. A large amount of routine work in the professional refinish industry is repairing scratches, dents, hail damage, and general cosmetic repairs. Jobs that can be easily managed using spray cans, saving time setting-up and cleaning spray guns, and avoiding the need to use a spray booth and oven. To cater for this increasing trend, U-pol has developed its 2K Custom Can range.
The U-pol 2K Custom Can
Is a pre-gassed spray can that can be filled with 100ml of a 2K topcoat. • C log-free nozzles deliver a professional, spray gun like finish with the convenience of an aerosol. • F ill with 100ml of non-activated topcoat base. • E xtends the normal pot-life of the coating, providing excellent flow properties. • B uilt-in push button isocyanate activator. After filling the can, the product remains inactive until you are ready to spray. • C ompatible with most custom can filling machines. In the hands of an experienced refinish professional, the U-pol Custom Can will produce a smooth spray gun like finish.
2K durability at the touch of a button
The advantage of the U-pol Custom Can is that you are not limited to a small range of popular colours. You can use your existing paint system to mix the exact colour you need to match the job, and then load it into the Custom Can ready to be activated.
2K Clearcoat Aerosol
To complement the Custom Can range, U-pol has developed a pre-filled advanced 2k Clearcoat. Ready to use, the U-pol 2k Clearcoat Aerosol gives a durable, diamond hard, high gloss finish with the
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Traditional spray cans have a valuable place in the workshop with their use in smaller jobs adding to efficiency.
convenience of a spray can. This is not a DIY product; it’s a professional refinish industry high-quality clearcoat. The U-pol 2K Clear Aerosol provides superior UV, chemical, scratch and abrasion resistance. It can be applied to both water and solvent based paint systems and gives an attractive spray gun like finish that’s easy to polish and will not discolour. Suitable for large surfaces even at higher ambient temperatures. • Excellent flow and depth of gloss. • Easy to use and long lasting. • H igh solids for a deep durable surface. • C ompatible with solvent and waterbased basecoats. The U-pol 2K Clearcoat Aerosol provides 400mls of premium clearcoat to provide enough to achieve 2 to 3 coats after activation for the typical small repair job. Allow 10 to 15 minutes between coats at 20 C°. The Clearcoat is touch dry within 80 minutes and ready to polish after curing overnight.
Getting the job done faster
The 2K Custom Can range and 2K Premium Aerosol are important additions to the U-pol Premium Aerosol
range that includes primers, zinc and copper weld-through primers, adhesion promoters, guide-coats, fade-out spray, stone chip protection, and high build top-coats available in a range of colours. Each product in the U-pol Premium Aerosol range has been carefully formulated and optimised for high performance. High pack pressure, and specially designed anti-clog nozzles deliver a perfect spray pattern with high atomization delivering a spray-gun like finish. Each product dries fast to further improve productivity. U-pol develops products for the professional refinish market by spending time in paint and panel shops asking the question “what would make your job easier?” It is how U-pol’s premium aerosol range was developed. The U-pol Premium Aerosol Range including 2K Custom Cans and Premium 2K Clearcoat are available from most leading automotive product distributors. Find out more by calling u-pol’s expert technical custom support team on (02) 4731 2655 or visit u-pol.com.au
Versatile Cleaning with lasting protection When it comes to maintaining the cleanliness and shine of surfaces, Farécla Clean and Protect emerges as the ultimate solution. This remarkable product is not only non-hazardous but also silicone- and VOC-free, making it safe for both users and the environment. In a 1ltr trigger spray bottle, it offers cleaning power and long-lasting protective benefits. Farécla Clean and Protect is VOC-free.
With the ease of application by hand using a microfiber cloth, Farécla Clean and Protect tackles a variety of cleaning challenges. It effortlessly removes polishing residues, adhesive residues, pesky finger marks, and even stubborn stains like bird lime. No matter the surface – be it paintwork, glass, plastics, or rubber – Clean and Protect deliver outstanding results. What sets Clean and Protect apart is its ability to enhance surfaces. While it adds a glossy shine to paintwork, it respects satin and most matte finishes, ensuring the original appearance remains intact. Additionally, it darkens black trims, restoring their depth and vibrancy. The protective layer left by Farécla Clean and Protect is where it truly shines. Not only does it provide a robust defence against future stains and contaminants, but it also imparts easy-clean and water-repellent properties to the surface. This protective
shield can endure for up to 4 weeks, ensuring your surfaces stay cleaner for longer with minimal effort. Whether you’re using the G360 Super Fast system or other Farécla compounds and polishes, Clean and Protect is a versatile companion that delivers exceptional results. From automotive paintwork to gelcoats in the Profile system, it’s the go-to choose for achieving impeccable, long-lasting cleanliness and protection. Farécla Clean and Protect is a powerful cleaning and protective solution that ensures surfaces remain pristine and well-maintained. Its safety, versatility, and impressive longevity make it a must-have for anyone seeking the best in surface care. Say goodbye to tough stains and hello to enduring shine with Farécla Clean and Protect. www.farecla.com/products/clean-andprotect/
Fresh air for the bodyshop Workshops are always looking for a solution to rising labour, energy and productivity costs and Lechler believes it has the answer with its Macrofan range. In a bold call, they believe Macrofan Air-Tech and Green-Tech can deliver up to 40 per cent savings on productivity cost. Air-Tech is an HS sealer especially designed to speed up the process by eliminating flash off and sanding times, a wet-on-wet application without sanding on new panels, with the ability to dictate your choice of grey shade, improving covering power of base coats. Available in 1lt white, light grey or black, Air-Tech sealer is likely to become a favourite part of your tinting system that is a must-use must product to speed productivity. Green-Tech is a 2K tintable primer filler and sealer with two mixing ratios. Tintable with most 2K acrylic systems, it can be used as standard primer filler when mixed in five-to-one ratios, or in a power application without flash off (refer
to TDS) when mixed in two-to-one ratios. Green tech’s excellent vertical stability, high filling power with anti-corrosive inhibitor means you can apply on rub throughs without the need to etch primer for your spot repairs. Available
in 2.5lt, Green Tech is a multi-functional product that is a must in the modern body shop. Available from Le’Mix Ph: 02 9708 4959 or for more info go to www.lemix.com.au
The new Le’Mix Air-Tech and Green-Tech range. The National Collision Repairer 45
Product Showcase
A trip to the moon on multi-coloured wings A walk on the moon is closer than ever with PPG launching a mobile version of their specialised paint technology MoonWalk. PPG has created a fully fitted out vehicle dubbed the MoonVan which is set to showcase PPG LINQ technologies to all corners of the country. Thanks to its unique, ‘click and go’ ability to mix Envirobase High Performance tinters to an accuracy of 0.01grams, while also minimising waste and the possibilities of human errors, PPG’s MoonWalk automated dispensing technology has sparked an enormous amount of curiosity. While many local collision centres have taken the opportunity to witness a live demonstration, it has been difficult for others due to distance and time. PPG’s
solution is the MoonVan which takes a modern, high-roof van and packs it with PPG LINQ technologies, including a complete MoonWalk unit.
MoonVan hits the road
The key aim of MoonVan is to take PPG LINQ technologies directly to individual repairers or groups of repairers, all around the country. This is a particular advantage for regional or rural collision centres where the nearest MoonWalk demonstration unit can be a long way off. It’s also perfect for time-poor owners and managers because the van can drive to them, rather than them having to come to it. PPG distributors have the opportunity to have the MoonVan visit onsite as a
convenient way to showcase MoonWalk to their own customers and other collision centres in their area. For other collision centres, it can be an ideal way to seal the deal by arranging to have the MoonVan onsite to give their paint team an opportunity to familiarise themselves with the technology, perhaps use it on some live jobs, and see exactly what it can do for them on a dayto-day basis.
Plug and play
PPG sales director Australia John Hristias says packaging a full suite of PPG LINQ technologies into MoonVan means it’s easy to experience how simple these ‘plug and play’ systems are to use, as well as how they combine together to create a powerful paint shop tool. “Inside MoonVan, people can immerse themselves in the PPG LINQ digital eco-system. They can take a reading of a vehicle’s paint work with the next generation spectrophotometer, DigiMatch, then transfer that data to the VisualizID 3D colour visualisation software. “Then technicians can experience the shift from physical spray-out cards to 3D digital spray-out cards that gives them the tools to quickly and easily select the best colour match without using a drop of tinter. From there, simply send the formulation and required volume to MoonWalk and it will dispense it with incredible accuracy, even when only tiny amounts of tinter are required. Once painters have experienced this ‘paint shop of the future’, there is no going back to traditional methods.”
PPG Show & Shine in Adelaide
One of the first stops for the MoonVan will be the ‘Show and Shine’ event in Adelaide giving local collision repairers first-hand opportunity to experience the new technology. The PPG Show & Shine will be held Sunday 15th October (9AM to 3PM) at the PPG SA offices, at 97 – 105 Bedford St, Gilman, South Australia.
There is nothing like experiencing PPG’s LINQ technology in person and the mobility of the PPG MoonVan makes it possible.
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To register your interest in MoonVan simply contact their PPG distributor, their PPG territory manager or the PPG Customer Service Hotline on 13 24 24 Aust.
Tech Talk
Clean for speed
While everyone is mindful of the time taken in the modern repair cycle, it’s important not to skimp on the cleaning process. As John Hristias explains, rather than slowing the job down, taking the time to get crucial cleaning steps right will speed up the overall process. Here are some of his top tips and recommendations. Pre-cleaning
Issues – When it comes to blend panels, we often see technicians simply fit a new abrasive disc and start sanding. The problem is, the surface of that panel is likely to be contaminated with road grime and possibly polish or even an aftermarket coating, such as ceramics. Although it might be only a very thin layer, the material on the surface can quickly clog the abrasive surface and causes two frustrating issues. Firstly, the clogged abrasive will impact on the sanded surface, leaving blemishes such as silicone marks, pigtails, wipe marks and a whole host of other nasty imperfections. Ultimately, there is also the risk of adhesion loss. In addition, the clogging stops the abrasive from cutting correctly so the technician throws it away and fits another one which repeats the problem. Solution – Before sanding, take a moment to use a water / methylated spirits cleaner, such as PPG’s handy
pre-mixed SWX250 Water-Methylated Spirits Cleaner, and a grey scourer to go over the panel to work any water-based contaminants lose. At the same time, you will be sanding all those difficult to get at areas where contaminants can lurk, such as the recessed edges that moulds fit into, door handles and the back of door edges where there is the risk of sanding through to the basecoat. Next, repeat the step using Prepsol to remove any solvent-based contaminants. Not only does this cleaning process take very little time, it’s also important to understand that it actually begins the keying / sanding process which makes it much faster, using far fewer abrasives and getting a cleaner blend.
Cleaning sanding dust
Issue – Once the sanding process is finished, we often see technicians do something that makes no sense at all – they will use compressed air to blow the dust off the job. Of course, that dust
then settles all over the workshop and everything in it. Solution – It’s much smarter to fit a grey MIRKA Mirlon pad to the sander, attach a vacuum unit and use it to go over the panel. At the same time as it vacuums away the dust, it also does a final sand of any shiny spots you may have missed.
Cleaning between guide-coats
Issue – Guide coat is designed to help the technician see how the blocking process is progressing. However, if the surface isn’t cleaned between guide coat applications, the dust on the surface prevents the guide coat powder penetrating in the sanding scratches which need to be highlighted. Solution – Before applying guide coat, use Prepsol to clean the dust and any other contaminants from the surface. These tech tips are supplied by PPG sales director Australia John Hristias.
The time spent on the cleaning process will save more time for the overall job.
The National Collision Repairer 47
Industry Awards
HELD ANNUALLY, THE RECIPIENTS OF THE NATIONAL COLLISION REPAIRER’S LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS ARE INDUCTED AND HONOURED FOR THEIR OUTSTANDING SERVICE TO THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY.
In an exciting development in 2024, the Lifetime Achievement Awards gala evening will see two further awards presented on the night: The Future Leader of the Year Award; and The Woman in Automotive Award. The special event will be held next year in partnership with the Collision Repair Expo making it an unmissable event for anyone involved in the industry. The National Collision Repairer Lifetime Achievement Awards began in 2007 and was created to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the men and women who have contributed to the collision repair industry over and above their “day job”. The criteria for induction are a minimum of 20 years in the collision repair industry, contributions to the industry beyond the scope of their local area and the scope of their direct employment and nomination from within the industry. We extend our congratulations to recipients of the Life Achievement Awards, acknowledging their invaluable contributions and recognising that their lifetime dedication to the industry has played a significant role in shaping it into the vibrant field it is today. The gathering each year represents a who’s who of the repair industry, including sponsors, collision repairers, suppliers, insurers, and previous inductees who gather to celebrate the people that make the industry strong, innovative and supportive.
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The Roll also includes five international recipients from New Zealand, the United States, and Sweden, who have not only contributed to the development of the industry in their own countries but also left an indelible mark on the Australian collision repair landscape. This award recognises the recipients’ perseverance, contributions, and experience, which amounts to a staggering total of over 1,900 years.
The gala evening for the Lifetime Achievement Awards is one of the most anticipated in the industry calendar.
Importantly, we continue to attract sponsorships from veritable who’s who of the collision repair industry, many of whom have been with us since the inaugural awards. So, once again, we take this opportunity to express our gratitude to the individuals and their organisations who support this initiative that truly does “honour the past” and now, recognises the industry’s bright future.
Proudly Sponsored by:
Richard Nathan
2007
Tom Vukelic
2013
Michael Wilkinson
2018
David Weatherall
2007
Robin Taylor
2013
Mark Czvitkovits
2019
Terry Flanagan OAM
2008
Ray McMartin
2013
Martin Stone AM
2019
Marshall Duncan
2008
Colin Edwards
2013
Julie Wadley
2019
Graham Winter
2008
Ian Wilkinson
2014
Walter Zuber (Int)
2019
Jeff Hendler (Int)
2008
Julie Thomas
2014
Brad Franklin
2020
Max Chanter
2009
Brian Johnson
2014
Jim Vais
2020
John Howes
2009
Terry Feehan
2014
Jeff Williams
2020
Robert Renwick (Int)
2009
Owen Webb OAM
2015
Steve Economidis
2021
David Newton-Ross
2009
Phil Nixon
2015
Garry Maher
2021
Wayne Phipps
2010
Trevor Parkes
2015
Peter McMahon
2021
Richard Pratt
2010
Tony Warrener OAM
2016
Rob Mildenhall
2021
Bob Rees
2010
Brenton Abbott
2016
Tony Cafasso
2022
Lance Weiss
2011
Michael Killen
2017
Michelle Morgan
2022
Mark Brady
2011
Carl Tinsley
2017
Peter Ruggeri
2022
Don Wait OAM
2011
Per Madsen (Int)
2017
Darren Wales
2022
Tony Farrugia
2012
Rex Crowther (Int)
2017
Ben Chesterfield
2023
Bob Christie
2012
Garry Clear
2018
Scott Donnelly
2023
John Zulian
2012
Cec Simpson
2018
Morry Corvasce
2023
The National Collision Repairer 49
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OEM News
BMW widens electric offerings and avoids luxury car tax BMW Australia has widened the options for its fully electric vehicles with three new cheaper models set to help its push to make EVs one in three of its new cars. By next year, the BMW Group anticipates that at least one in five of the company’s new vehicles should have a fully electric drivetrain. In 2025 they plan to make this one in four, and in 2026, one in three. The latest step toward this electric transition, is the launch of three models priced below $89,332, exempting them from both Luxury Car Tax for fuel efficient vehicles and Fringe Benefits Tax for fleet operators. The new line-up begins with the iX1 eDrive20 that will become BMW Australia’s new entry point to its fully electric vehicle range at a price of $78,900. It will arrive in Australia in the first quarter of next year. Announcement of the iX1 eDrive20 follows the mid-2023 local launch of the
iX1 xDrive30, which is priced at $84,900 and hence is also positioned below the tax thresholds. The second new variant to arrive is the i4 eDrive35, the latest addition to the sporty i4 Gran Coupé line-up that already includes the i4 eDrive40 and i4 M50. It will be priced at $85,900 and be available for customer deliveries at the end of 2023. The iX3 M Sport represents the third new fully electric variant and will be priced at $89,100 with introduction set for the end of 2023. It will be the new base level of the revised iX3 line-up and offer the same electric powertrain as the range-topping iX3 M Sport Pro with an adjusted equipment offering. With these three models BMW Australia will continue to offer the widest selection of fully electric vehicles in the Australian market. BMW Australia’s new model strategy aligns with the BMW Group’s global
future mobility and sustainability goals which aims to have more than two million fully electric vehicles on the road by the end of 2025. The global group also aims by 2030 to halve C02 emissions per vehicle per kilometre driven compared with 2019 levels. The company will achieve a 40 per cent reduction in C02 emissions throughout the lifecycle, from the supply chain, through production to the end of the use phase.
BMW anticipates one in five vehicles it produces in 2024 will be electric.
Kia’s ambitious clean-up plan hauls in another waste source Kia has set an ambitious target to boost its sustainability credentials, partnering with a major conservation group aimed at cleaning up 90 per cent of the ocean’s floating plastic waste. Kia’s global partner, The Ocean Cleanup hauled a record 55-tonnes from the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Canada in August and Kia now plans to use the recycled plastic in its new EV models. The record catch was removed near Vancouver using The Ocean Cleanup’s System 002 extraction technology from the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP). The GPGP is the world’s largest accumulation of floating waste and has an estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometres – equivalent to three times the size of France. A seven-year global partnership
between the Korean car manufacturer and the not-for profit The Ocean Cleanup, was sealed in April 2022. The Ocean Cleanup’s has an objective of removing 90 percent of floating ocean plastic by 2040 and plans to reduce the GPGP by 50 per cent every five years. Kia’s wants the partnership and the continued reuse of resources that were once sent to waste as planks of its transformation into a leading sustainable mobility solutions provider. Kia has implemented more than 30 sustainable solutions in various product areas, and lists fabrics and carpets using recycled PET, bio-based alternative leather, and BTX*-free paint. For its flagship electric vehicle, the EV9, upcycled waste, including fishing nets retrieved from the ocean, are used
to create the vehicle’s floor carpets. The components used in the construction of the EV9 made from recycled plastic and bio-based, ecofriendly materials weigh approximately 34kg. It also features more sophisticated environmental monitoring and safety technology, such as a new Marine Animal Safety Hatch designed to protect marine life. Ocean Cleanup director partnerships Nisha Bakker says Kia’s help was valuable in the massive clean-up task. “We cannot do this alone,” she says. “Committed and valued partners, and particularly our global partner Kia, remain essential for The Ocean Cleanup to bring our shared ambitions of plastic-free oceans to reality.” The National Collision Repairer 51
OEM News
Ford tempts utility drivers with low-fuel technology Ford will bring Australia’s most popular type of vehicle into the 21st century and tempt buyers looking to save on fuel costs by adding a hybrid version to its Ranger series of utes. Ford has already developed a fully electric ute called the F-150 Lightning but they are not yet readily available in Australia. Now with petrol prices climbing above $2 per litre, Ford is hoping the range will add new incentives to look at alternative low-emission drivetrains. The Ranger is one of the most popular models among new car sales, battling with the Toyota Hilux for top spot in regular new car sales measurements. The popular Ford Ranger will have a hybrid option.
Large utilities regularly dominate the top five most popular vehicles in Australia. But last month, a record for sales of new vehicles in August, EVs and hybrids made up 16 per cent of sales, the fastest growing sector. Ford will offer customers a plug-in hybrid version from early 2025 hoping it will combine electric driving capability with the adventure-ready versatility and work-ready dependability customers. Ford Australia and New Zealand , President and CEO Andrew Birkic says the first-ever Ranger Plug-in Hybrid will mark a significant step forward in Ford’s plans to offer a wide range of powertrain options for customers in the mid-sized pick-up segment. “The Ranger Plug-in Hybrid is a bestof-both-worlds solution for work, play, and family – offering customers zerotailpipe emissions EV driving for short trips, or hybrid performance that delivers incredible on- and off-road performance,” Birkic says.
“Ranger Plug-In Hybrid will bring all of the towing and payload capability our Australian customers expect of Ranger, and with Pro Power Onboard for the first time, Ranger owners will have power for both work and play.” Ranger Plug-in Hybrid will deliver more torque than any other Ranger, thanks to a 2.3-litre Ford EcoBoost turbo petrol engine paired with an electric motor and rechargeable battery system. “It can be driven in pure electric mode for more than 45 kilometres without using a drop of fuel or producing tailpipe emissions, helping customers save at the pump.” Ford noted that the EV-only capability will be extremely useful for Australian Ranger customers, with more than half travelling 40km or less per day. The targeted maximum braked towing capacity of the Ranger Plug-In Hybrid is 3,500 kg – the same as the rest of the Ranger line-up and would also feature plug-in appliance power options.
Hyundai’s electric drivetrains have received another award Hyundai is hoping greater affordability and range will prompt more Australian car buyers into electric vehicle purchases with its 2024 offerings. The Melbourne EV Show launch of its 2024 IONIQ 5, a new entry model available with a Standard Range 58 kWh battery delivering 384 km of range, is the latest step in its electric transition. The model features a heat pump, battery heating system and battery conditioning for greater efficiency and driving range. The Hyundai Motor Company new strategy called ‘Hyundai Motor Way’, is aimed at raising its global sales of EVs to two million vehicles per year by 2030. It will spend $10 billion per year globally in a bid to be a global mobility
52 www.nationalcollisionrepairer.com.au
leader in the new world of transportation and meet the EV demand, 34 per cent of all cars, expected by 2030. One in six new cars sold nationally is now fully electric or incorporates hybrid low emissions technologies with EVs making up 6.4 per cent of sales in August 2023. However, a plethora of new electric models from traditional manufacturers, including the race to make more affordable EVs, is seeing massive changes to the market. In September Hyundai Australia unveiled its KONA Electric along with the IONIQ 5 N at the EV Motor show in Melbourne. It also showcased the newly crowned 2023 World Car of the Year
IONIQ 6 along with the 2022 World Car of the Year IONIQ 5. Its flagship EV, the IONIQ 6, also received another commendation with its powertrain named one of the 2023 Wards 10 Best Engines & Propulsion Systems. The annual awards from WardsAuto recognise compelling powertrain advancements that are all-new or significantly improved. IONIQ 6 was selected for its performance, charging capability, range and price. Both the IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6 are powered by Hyundai’s Electric-Global Modular Platform (E-GMP) that allows for dual motors, maximum interior space, and optimised performance.
Toyota joins with the big Australian to electrify fleet Toyota Australia and BHP have signed an MOU to strengthen their relationship, aimed at enhancing safety and decarbonisation measures within BHP’s Australian operations. The companies will now work together across safety, engineering and product development teams focussed on safety in light vehicles design and future state technologies and challenges. The collaboration is designed to support BHP with its objective to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from vehicle operations by 30 per cent by 2030 by combining expertise of Toyota and BHP. Toyota Australia president and CEO Matthew Callachor, welcomed the collaboration, recognising the strong partnership forged between the two brands.
“BHP is a key player in Australia’s export industry, and Toyota Australia is delighted to announce this collaboration which is designed to enhance safety measures at BHP’s Australian worksites and reduce CO2 emissions,” he says. Through this MOU, BHP will gain access to the knowledge and resources of Toyota’s expert engineering teams across Australia and globally and aims to support BHP in realising its broader decarbonisation goals. The two companies will also collaborate on a decarbonisation journey map looking at options and alternative to achieve agreed targets. BHP Australia, president Geraldine Slattery welcomed
the collaboration and what was possible under a strong partnership. “At the heart of our efforts to decarbonise our operations is an ambition to electrify our fleet of 5000 light vehicles in Australia. Collaborating with leading suppliers like Toyota shows our clear commitment to developing shared solutions for a safer and more sustainable future.” BHP Group Procurement Officer, James Agar says the completed strategy would provide a blue-print for other organisations seeking to safely electrify their lightvehicle fleets. “Combining our engineering expertise and resources with Toyota is a terrific example of the approach we are taking with major suppliers to develop new technologies that will improve our safety and sustainability.”
Silent parts delivery is BMW’s next step BMW Group has stepped up its presence in the electric vehicle space with experiments in delivery vehicles. The company, who launched its first fully electric luxury vehicle in 2022 with the BMW i4 has plans for EVs in each of its classes this year and has a goal of making half its new vehicles electric by 2025. The latest step in it’s the Future is Electric strategy is equipping a Sydney dealership, BMW Sydney and MINI Garage Sydney, with a fully electric van as part of its day-to-day operations. The new van, an LDV eDeliver 9 will deliver Genuine BMW Parts and Original BMW Accessories to selected locations in the Sydney metropolitan area and include accredited BMW Bodyshops. The fully electric van has a driving range capability of 280km and
accommodates a substantial cargo capacity of 10.9 cubic metres with a 1410kg payload. The plan is for the van to be charged between jobs using on-site BMW Wallbox chargers. BMW Group says the van will be trialled for three months, during which BMW will assess its operational viability and explore the potential to increase the number of EVs on the road to complete delivery and collection jobs. BMW Sydney and MINI Garage Sydney dealer principal Peter Kallitsis says using the van would fulfil both practical and strategic purposes. “There are numerous advantages to a fully electric van on an operational level, chiefly zero tailpipe emissions and noise reduction,” Mr. Kallitsis says. “This has benefits for our roadways
and provides a cleaner option for our staff when they are working around the van and loading or unloading cargo in confined indoor areas. “However, it also contributes in a meaningful way to the BMW Group’s global goal to reduce C02 emissions across the entire value chain – of which logistics are a key element – by 40 per cent from 2019 levels by the year 2030.” BMW is looking at silent, emissions free delivery.
The National Collision Repairer 53
Profile
Closing a gender gap in crash testing Astrid Linderhas made headlines around the world for her pioneering female crash dummy and now wants to see collision safety standards equal for all genders.
Astrid Linder with her crash dummies.
Her work began with pioneering investigations into whiplash from car crashes but now road safety researcher Astrid Linder has her eye on closing another gap in our knowledge of accidents. Earlier this year Linder won the Woman of Worth award from the Women’s World Car of the Year for her work on the development of a female crash dummy. The Women’s World Car of the Year honours the work of professional women who have distinguished themselves in the automotive world. Linder’s path began by developing the world’s first crash test dummy for low-speed collisions to assess the protection for soft tissue injuries of the neck, so-called whiplash injuries, when there was no dummy or test for the type of collision that is the most common resulting in disabling injuries. “It was a big project in the ‘90s. The crash test dummy created was the size of an average man, as that is the model of the occupant that we use as the driver in both frontal and side impact testing,” Linder says. But the next big insight came when as part of her doctoral studies, Linder found women were at higher risk of sustaining whiplash injuries than men and yet evaluations against injuries
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were only tested with a model of an average man. Then it became a logical next step for her to design a model that represents that part of the female population. “Today there is no possibility of assessing the protection of a new car for the entire adult population,” Linder says. “We cannot today, in testing new cars, assess how well cars also protect the female part of the population. How the body is constructed does not differ between men and women when you look at the big features such as skeletal parts, organs and soft parts except the reproductive organs which are not essential in crash safety. Differences that are important to include in models for evaluating protection against injuries in a low-speed rear-end collision are things like upper body geometry, such as shoulder width and centre of gravity of the torso, which are higher for men than women.” Linder says specialised crash dummies have been made and tested for children and even pregnant models to evaluate protection of the foetus in crashes, so there was a significant gap in the testing for women. “What drives me are the injury statistics that provide the basis for what needs to be developed and to make it possible to better identify the innovations that give the entire population the best protection.” The biggest challenges and setbacks over the years have been finding research funding but the cooperation of the automotive industry over the decades has been instrumental in developing new safety standards. “Already in 2012, together with Volvo, Chalmers, and partners from Europe, we produced a mathematical crash test
dummy model of an average woman so that virtual tests with male and female models could be performed. After this, it was widely believed that it was too difficult and expensive to develop a crash test dummy that represented the female part of the population. We managed to get funding from the EU for the recently completed project where we designed both a mathematical and physical model of both an average woman and man.” Linder says European regulations for approval tests, UNECE, currently only require for roadworthiness tests to use a model of an average man for their vehicle crash test results. “The companies follow what needs to be followed, nothing more can be required. To get ahead, cooperation, knowledge and will are needed. “In terms of how difficult something is, developing a COVID vaccine is incredibly much more difficult than developing a model of the average female for crash testing and the development of the vaccine was successfully done in a short amount of time. A lot has to do with what we decide to do.” Linder says government roles in changing regulations and how we vote for those governments are some of the key elements that could bring about change. “My future vision is that we improve road safety together and that by 2030 we can evaluate the protection in the event of a crash for both women and men inclusively.” Linder is also an assistant professor at Chalmers University, Sweden. Her work focuses on research in crash safety and biomechanics, with a particular focus on the development of dummies to assess risk in the event of an accident.
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