HYUNDAI SA AFTERMARKET TEAM ON THE MOVE
The team from Hyundai SA Parts Distribution Centre recently held a national roadshow engaging with their repair partners. These body shops are part of the Hyundai Automotive Repair Programme (HARP) and the roadshow was to re-establish active contact and communication with HARP members.
Due to Covid and restructuring, communication levels had been quiet, but this has changed in the last few months especially. The HARP team have listened to what the industry needs and have certainly come to the party with an open ear and enthusiasm to rejuvenate their programmes. They are serious about the longevity and sustainability of this working relationship and the motor body industry. There are 396 approved Hyundai body repair shops involved in HARP, in all nine provinces.
Samuel Matlhola; Parts Director, Zaheera Hassen; GM: Parts Sales and newly appointed Ndabezinhle Nyathi; National HARP Manager, are the team behind this new shift. “It is critical for us to understand where we are with our HARP programme. We want to remind our partners that we are here to highlight the processes that are working well and change other areas that are not,” said Matlhola, at the recently held Gauteng session.
Zaheera Hassen went on to point out the fact that the “Save-A-Car” and “Price Match” programmes are on the increase. “With over 80% of people driving uninsured, this is a touch point to get right. These initiatives will maintain customer satisfaction and enable the body shop to retain work.” On average approximately 110 cars a month are put back on the road through “Save-A-Car” alone. “Returning safe vehicles back onto our roads is a priority,” she concluded.
The “Price Match” option is to try and eradicate the use of inferior secondhand or alternate parts being fitted onto vehicles out of warranty or that are uninsured.
An electronic ordering and transacting platform is being introduced to make ordering and day-to-day life with Hyundai easier for the body shop. The platform promises to integrate into the system the individual body shop uses. “What is key here,” said Ndabezinhle Nyathi, “is that we access the correct people to train on the system – those ordering, but especially estimators.”
The HARP system can upload an Audatex or manual quote, with Emerge and Edge integration coming soon. The supplying dealer gets immediate notification about what the body shop needs and submits a quote. The system has the correct part numbers and pricing which helps reduce errors in incorrect orders.
Turnaround time on parts, as well as incorrect order returns were highlighted to be addressed. Training will see rejuvenation in the classroom and sessions will also be made available online, making this essential part of a body shop’s life able to integrate with busy schedules.
The reintroduction of motor body awards will also commence in 2025, once all concerns raised with HARP members have been addressed. It was obvious from those in attendance, that they were excited about this announcement.
