The April/May issue of Collision Management is now available online. You can flip through it here, but first, a few words from the Editor-in-Chief of Collision Management, Huw Evans.

A New Way of Thinking

Tried and true methods no longer apply to body repairs.

It’s quite amazing when you realize just how far automotive technology has come in the last few years. Granted, much of that change has been driven by government mandates in fuel economy, emissions and safety standards but there’s no question, a 2018 model year vehicle is smarter, safer and in many cases lighter than its 2011 or 2012 counterpart. It’s also significantly different to repair.

New materials, new processes

The use of ultra-high-strength steels, aluminum, and even mixed material structures requires new tools and training to repair properly. So critical are the scanning, measuring, removal, replacing and welding processes, exact OEM guidelines must be followed to ensure that once repaired, the vehicle performs exactly as the manufacturer intended. That’s something Fix Auto views as fundamental to its business and is the subject of our cover story this issue.

Accuracy matters

When it comes to body repairs, accuracy in measuring is becoming ever more critical. State-of-the-art 3D measuring is a must to ensure correct body alignment, while changes in vehicle design require new methods in both structural holding as well as repairing and replacing damaged sections. Plus, with the advent of UHSS and aluminum, welding and even dent repairs require different tools and methods. These are some of the aspects we cover in this issue’s Special File section.

On a final note, one subject that has been in the news is fradulent practices in the collision repair industry. While the aim of the story was to promote consumer awareness regarding this issue, the unfortunate side effect was that it painted a negative and inaccurate picture of the collision industry as a whole.

A vital role

As key members of our local communities, collision shops play a vital role in helping consumers and keeping them safe on the road. That’s why it’s so important to take an active role in educating consumers as well as supporting the communities in which we live and work. This is a fantastic industry, and we need to share that message with the wider world. And there’s no better time to do that than right now.

Click here to read the April/May 2018 issue of Collision Management