LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 2018—OEM industry leaders discussed the evolution of their collision network programs and the specifics of each, including what is coming down the pipeline, in the second session of the OEM SCRS Repair Technology Summit on Thursday in Las Vegas.
In the 90-minute discussion, industry members shared their program's structures and elaborated on how expectations of the program have evolved.The session was moderated by Aaron Clark, vice president, Technical Compliance for Assured Performance Network, and David Gruskos, president, Reliable Automotive Equipment Inc.
Speakers included John Eck, collision manager, Customer Care & Aftersales for General Motors (GM), Kenneth Park, certified collision program manager for Volvo Cars USA, Ben Cid, collision business manager for Mercedes-Benz USA, and Mark Zoba, manager, collision network growth and strategy for Nissan Group of America.
During the session, the audience submitted questions to the panelists, and prominent concerns included the access to repair procedure information and parts restrictions.
Zoba said the company is in the process of developing specific training for the next year. Shops involved in the certification program will be held more accountable and be graded on shop scorecards, he said.
Zoba said Nissan is initiating warrantable paint claims.
Volvo announced that right now it is requiring 95 percent of OE parts in repairs but, as of 2019, the automaker will require 100 percent OE parts. Volvo also launched the VIDA, or Vehicle Information and Diagnostics for Aftersales.
Volvo has a goal to reach 350 shops in its certified collision repair program. Right now, only about 200 shops are in the program.
Currently, there are about 1,500 shops in the Nissan certified collision repair program.
GM has approximately 1,000 repair facilities in its Collision Repair Network.
