On March 17 during the 41st Annual NORTHEAST ® Automotive Services Show in Secaucus, NJ, General Motors took to the Collision P.R.E.P. (Professional Repairer Education Program) Free Stage to publicly reveal critical details of its new collision repair network certification program for the first time anywhere.
"We're looking at a comprehensive program that is going to really take into account a lot of aspects that aren't measured today with OEM certifications," shared GM Collision Manager John Eck. "It's an exciting time at General Motors, [and] it starts with a focus on our customer. Everything we're doing and everything we want to do is about our customers, safety and a focus on a safe, proper repair for GM vehicles."
The program will extensively track (among other things) shops' emphasis on performing proper scanning and calibrations and adhering to OEM repair procedures. Each participating shop will be given a "shop score" based on their performance in these areas.
"Shops will have the ability to measure [and] see the transparency of the metrics that we'll have. You'll be able to see why your score is where it is, understand what those KPIs are that we're looking for and how you can influence those to drive your own score at the shop up or down...The shop score is what's going to drive how you're going to be integrated within General Motors. We're not stopping at just shop certification or a network; we're integrating this completely into GM and [partners such as] OnStar."
Additionally, Eck announced that GM has enlisted Mitchell International for network management to provide IP solutions for customers.
"There are a lot of things that Mitchell may or may not do today...There is room for other players in this space. We don't think it's just one company; we think there's multiple players."
The NORTHEAST ® Automotive Services Show is presented annually by the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ). Held March 16-18 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, NJ, this year's show boasted the debut of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) - presented Collision P.R.E.P. (Professional Repairer Education Program) education series. Collision P.R.E.P. provided three days of national-level education that aimed to arm attendees with the information and tools necessary to successfully navigate an ever-changing industry.
For more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org. More information on WMABA is available at wmaba.com.
