Why its important to implement
VDAs need repair method access for new models, AHSS understanding, OEM cutting standards, electric vehicle handling, and aluminum panel compliance to avoid costly errors.
Electric and Hybrid Vehicle Handling
To understand OEM directives on handling Electric and Hybrid vehicles when stripping, mounting on alignment systems, using IR or spray booths and not missing additional labour sales accordingly.
OEM Panel Cutting Standards
To understand where to cut panels according to OEM standards and remove the risk of causing damage to items like seals and foams below the outer panel.
Advanced High Strength Steel Understanding
To understand where advanced high strength steels may be in relation to the main damage and the secondary damage and assist with deciding when to replace a panel instead of repairing and allowing enough time and materials for the handling of the removal and refit of the advanced high strength steel.
Aluminium Panel Repair Compliance
To ensure that aluminium panels are repaired correctly and cause issues with warranty.
Welding Requirements Assessment
This may also help the VDA to decide how many welds need to be done in regions where the shop is paid for welder usage by spot weld.
Remove and Refit Process Knowledge
Remove and refit steps for new models of vehicles to reduce wasted time by technicians trying to work out where clips and screws are placed on new model cars.
Business Impact
Missing repair process knowledge causes productivity delays, exposes business to rework claims, and results in lost revenue from incorrect repairs or replacements.
Body Shop Productivity
If the VDA does not understand the process of the repair they may miss out on vital hours needed for the remove and refit technicians to carry out their job in a timely manner.
Body Shop and Paint Shop Productivity
If the VDA does not include allow for the OEM approved vital steps in the removal and refitting of welded panels the repair they may miss out on vital hours needed for the remove and refit technicians to carry out their job in a timely manner and affect the area allowed for painting as a result of not understanding the correct place allowed for cuts and joints in welded panels.
Profit
If the VDA misses out on replacing AHSS parts the integrity is affected, and the business is exposed to claims of rework at its own cost.
Profit
If the VDA misses out on charging for needed time and consumable to repair vehicles areas containing AHSS the business will miss out on revenue.
Profit and Productivity
If Electric and Hybrid vehicles are handled incorrectly in the repair process causing the shop to miss out on revenue or cause damage to the batteries and have to pay for replacement.
Profit and Productivity
If body construction materials are repaired instead replaced and not according to manufacturer standards the business may have to buy the vehicle, or the vehicle could be repaired another body shop charging a fare higher price paid for by the original shop.
action steps
Train VDAs on repair methods application, implement easy access systems, enforce policy with warnings.
Repair Methods Policy Enforcement
Strong internal warnings if policy not followed once established.
Repair Methods Access Implementation
Implement process for all VDA's to have access and use vehicle repair methods easily.
Vehicle Repair Methods Training
Arrange training for the VDA's to understand reading and applying vehicle repair methods correctly for estimating.
Related tasks
Milestone:
02: Streamlining VDA Processes