PUBLISHER’S FAMOUS LAST WORDS
It was around 260 Automotive Refinisher magazines ago when life was filled with blind ambition and bewildering dreams. I thought it would be a novel idea to drag the collision repair trade, kicking and screaming, into the 20th Century with a burst of technical media entertainment whilst upping the communication enormously. You might say this was my own ‘unwinnable crusade.’ Now, in my old age, the grim reaper of reality has trotted in, laughing, to remind me just how amazing this endeavour was to be from the very beginning.
We have spent considerable effort, time, and money on this dream, only to receive a wake-up call during my recent trip to Automechanika in Frankfurt. The sheer explosion of new technology surrounding modern cars is truly mind-boggling. This biannual exhibition attracted visitors from 170 countries and featured industry experts discussing a myriad of topics, including electrification, sustainability, digitalisation, and AI developments. The discussions about park distance control repair and Lidar radar are now relevant even in entry-level cars. The show spans over five enormous football stadiums and three floors of exhibition halls – an astonishing sight to behold, and my feet ache just thinking about it again!
It’s a far cry from the simple hammer and dolly metalwork that once dominated our field, and many of my like-minded colleagues are no longer around to witness these changes. I miss those ‘like-minded lunatics’, especially as the trade continues to evolve before our eyes – and at warp speed.
After three days of pretending my shoe size was more significant than my age, my legs finally reminded me to ‘slow down, you old fart!’ So, it comes as no surprise that I need to step back just a little from trying to keep up. Thankfully, in my late seventies, I still revel in the experience and appreciated the chance to make a difference once again, which is, after all, the whole point of this seemingly futile exercise from all those years ago.
What’s in the latest magazine?
In this latest issue a whole host of new products and ranges can be seen. Luxor Paints have expanded their range of professional sprayguns and Concept 23 have launched three new add-on products to their line-up to keep your final work as pristine as possible. Two new vehicle launches are featured – the Hyundai Exter and Mahindra XUV 3X0, along with what I hope is a useful drive evaluation. The Ford Ranger Tremor delivered a great ride for the week we had it on test and we can well see why it’s such a popular option for luxury bakkie buyers.
Denys Edwardes, is one of the Top Shops profiled in this edition. Here’s a company with a great legacy and who truly care about their people – plus the excellent quality work they put out with each job. A very novel idea they have adopted with great success is inviting their retired artisans back into the business to train their apprentices. This allows a higher level of tutoring as never before and could well become the way forward.
Big Five Accident Repair Centre is the second Top Shop under the spotlight. This well-run operation boasts a former stand-up comedian as its captain, which Mano says, is a skill he credits as essential for maintaining sanity in the high-pressure world of collision repair, particularly in a family-run business. (Note from the Editor – couldn’t agree more!)
Customer testimonials from Keith’s Panel Shop and Trendline Auto and Mix and Match are an informative read. We take a more in depth look at each of these businesses to see how they meet customer expectations, as well as putting their own spin on customer relations.
Andrew Marsh – our technical futurist guru – looks under the skin of the Kia Sonet – and contemplates whether there is a massive opportunity in collision repair going begging or if it just represents major problems in the not-too-distant future …
Thank you
The team at Automotive Refinisher would like to wish all our readers, magazine contributors and advertisers the very best as you enjoy a well-deserved rest over the Christmas break. Safe travels and a blessed 2025 to you and your loved ones.
Thank you for your continued support!
by Ian Groat
