THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY

Axalta’s Fast Cure Low Energy (FCLE) technology reduces energy consumption, cuts costs, and supports sustainability, benefiting body shops and the environment. This innovation supports South Africa’s body shops who are grappling with high energy costs, making efficient solutions essential.

Autoboys has opened a new warehouse in Pomona, Gauteng, offering 25 000 line items across automotive parts, auto glass, and refinish supplies. This proactive move supports their customer-focused approach, with fast deliveries to meet demand. Autoboys aims to provide agile solutions and excellent service in the collision repair market.

In yet another drive to reduce sustainability, a new proposed directive from a large insurance company, is seeking to cap a number of parts costings that will effectively reduce repair profitability across the board once again. With unreasonable and unachievable levels of success, the company is targeting repairer margins once again.

MAB Autobody, led by the Marsberg family, excels in parts, paint, and glass supply across the Vaal region. Their commitment to quality, strong supplier relationships, and rapid delivery service set them apart. Expanding services with Octoral refinishing products and cost-effective solutions, they cater to body shops and DIY customers alike.

The Celette Vortex spray booth offers exceptional performance with thermal ventilating units ensuring uniform airflow. Its advanced design includes energy-efficient insulation, LED lighting, and EU5 filtration. With fast heating times and low running costs, the Vortex is perfect for water-based and solvent-based paints, providing both durability and energy savings.

A recurring issue in panel shops is hissing airline joints due to poor compressed air systems, leading to higher energy costs and tool inefficiency. Upgrading piping, such as large-diameter aluminium or plastic systems, can reduce leaks, improve efficiency, and ensure stable pressure, lowering costs and enhancing overall performance.

PaintWizz revolutionises vehicle-specific paint repair quotations by offering accurate, colour-specific calculations for professional body shops. Developed by industry experts, it provides precise cost estimations, factoring in labour, preparation, and materials like basecoat and toners.

Despite the growing presence of women in the auto body repair industry, they still face harmful stereotypes and sexual harassment. Addressing these issues requires clear policies, training, and safe reporting channels. A respectful, inclusive culture fosters professionalism and dignity.

Hurricane Equipment and Autorobot Finland partnered to enhance automotive repair in South Africa with the EzCalipre3D system. Training sessions focused on local models, boosting support, efficiency, and repair quality while expanding Autorobot’s global database.

PPG recognises the precision and expertise of automotive spray painters, celebrating their contributions through the Spray Painters Club (SPC Day). The event offers competitions, presentations, and valuable networking for professionals. PPG continues to support the industry, rolling out regional events in 2025 to foster knowledge and enjoyment.

Automakers are rapidly advancing vehicle technology, using sensor fusion, AI, and improved computing to enhance driving experiences. This creates challenges for the repair industry, as sensors, calibration, and diagnostics become more complex. Technicians must adapt to technologies for accurate repairs.

The shift to electric vehicles and renewable energy offers a cleaner future, but hidden environmental costs complicate the narrative. Producing electric cars, wind turbines, and solar panels requires resource-intensive materials like lithium, nickel, cobalt, and rare earth metals, impacting the environment.

Plans are underway to bring futurist Andrew Marsh to headline the CRA Conference in Midrand. He will address advancements in automotive engineering, including ADAS, electrification, and evolving materials. Marsh, a specialist with extensive experience in body repair research, will share vital insights into repairability.

The Hyundai Parts Distribution Centre team have made a remarkable turnaround and have listened to the needs of the Hyundai Approved Repairer Programme members, and in a relatively short time are seeing many positive changes. This follows the roadshows conducted last year where they met to discuss what was working well, and what needed enhancing.

South Africa’s legacy car brands face decline due to market shifts. Luxury car sales dropped significantly, with brands like Mercedes-Benz and Audi experiencing large drops. The emergence of Chinese brands offering affordable, feature-rich cars has contributed to this change however concerns over reliability and service remain a key challenge.

Smart Repair Technology (SMART) allows localised vehicle repairs without needing to replace or repaint entire panels. It’s cost-effective, quick, and often mobile, ideal for minor damages like dents, scuffs, and scratches, unlike traditional repairs SMART targets damaged areas, preserving vehicle condition.

The European and UK automotive sector faces a tough road ahead. Huge investments and rising costs strain manufacturers, while design stagnation limits innovation. To recover, companies must prioritise customer needs, embrace bold ideas, and unleash creativity in vehicle design and testing. Europe must maintain its unique design language and innovation.

Red is a colour people feel a strong connection to. Historically, red symbolises power. In the West, it is often associated with love, while in the East, its links lie with good fortune. For car buyers, red is one of the most popular chromatic colours.

Headlight glare is caused by a combination of factors, including improper headlight design, misalignment, dirty lenses, and driver-related issues like pupil dilation or fatigue. Weather and road conditions can exacerbate glare, as can external lighting. Maintenance and good driving habits ensure safety.

Thatcham Research’s new Vehicle Risk Rating (VRR) system aims to improve vehicle repairability, enhancing sustainability in the automotive industry. By evaluating repairability, damageability, and other factors, the VRR encourages manufacturers to design vehicles that are easier and more affordable to repair.

Mazda South Africa begins the new year with a clear vision and an exciting roadmap, confidently affirming their commitment to the local SA market. Mazda remains focused on delivering exceptional value, innovative, high-quality products, and an ever-evolving premium customer experience.

Porsche’s Leipzig factory, founded in 2000, blends flexible production with quality craftsmanship. It produces combustion, hybrid, and electric vehicles. The body shop creates vehicles in four main sections, with rigorous inspections. Using smart technology, the factory optimises efficiency and sustainability.

With advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) rapidly evolving, body shops must adapt to new repair challenges. Technicians skilled in ADAS calibration are vital for safe repairs. The IMI highlights a shortfall in ADAS-skilled workers. Thatcham Research is addressing this gap with online learning tools.

The proposed merger between Honda and Nissan raises scepticism in the financial sector. Despite declining production numbers, they aim for a combined output of about 4 million units annually. Both companies face challenges with BEVs and platform rationalisation.

Allianz has said that the average cost of lithium battery fire claims has hit the R11 million mark and that leaking and damaged batteries and overcharged e-vehicles combusting were the cause of these fires.

Axalta acquired three distributors in Europe, including two in Italy and one in France, to expand its Axalta Axcess network. This network offers direct-to-customer sales, distribution, and aftersales support for professional refinish products.

Just over 12 000 visitors enjoyed the 28th George Old Car Show recently in near perfect weather. For many show-goers, the crowning glory was the magnificent Rolls-Royce and Bentley display on the top field, representing the “royalty” of the British motor industry.

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) hosted the annual State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) event, revealing a slight 3% drop in new vehicle sales for 2024. Despite challenges like gang-related taxi industry issues and export declines, TSAM continues to lead with strong local sales, exports, and motorsport success.

Sherwin-Williams’ Collision Core Pronto offers body shops efficiency with automation, precision, and reduced waste. Featuring four or six dispensing heads, it can mix nearly 200 colours daily, saving time and labour. Its fully automated system ensures accuracy, quick mixing, and minimal maintenance, streamlining operations for high-volume environments.

The auto body repair industry in South Africa is constantly merging into the fast lane when it comes to tooling, technology, and infrastructure, to keep up with ever-evolving advancements in repair processes and standards. But when it comes to staff management, we’ve got one foot on the brake.

Short-term insurers press body shops into rushed agreements with minimal cost increases amid rising expenses, creating financial strain. Rapid AI advancements and new vehicle technologies demand better tools, training, and collaboration with OEMs. Reduced audit fees redirected toward skills training could help repairers adapt and ensure high-quality service in a changing industry.

South African spray centres face challenges with HVLP spray gun performance due to insufficient air supply. Proper compressed air stabilisation at 3.5 bar ensures optimal atomisation, avoiding defects like orange peel finishes. Tools like the DeVilbiss DVI Clearcoat and AV 162 C primer guns exemplify advancements, highlighting air supply’s critical role in refinishing success.

BASF’s Refinish Competence Centre (RCC) in Midrand, Gauteng, plays a crucial role in supporting the automotive refinishing industry across South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. This state-of-the-art facility is at the heart of BASF’s commitment to offering high-quality products, expert training, and technical assistance to professionals in the automotive refinish sector.

Mercedes-Benz’s revolutionary solar paint transforms EV charging by turning vehicles into mobile solar generators. Lightweight and efficient, it provides significant range, reduces dependency on charging stations, and enhances sustainability with non-toxic materials. Generating power continuously, even when parked, this innovation could redefine electric mobility and address range anxiety.

European carmakers face declining demand, rising costs, and EV struggles, forcing layoffs and plant closures. Volkswagen targets $11 billion cost cuts, Jaguar halts production until 2025, and Audi faces Formula 1 funding challenges. Qatar may finance Audi’s F1 aspirations amid Volkswagen’s financial strain. Industry adaptation to EVs continues at a challenging pace.

The refinish industry struggles with a skilled labour shortage due to outdated perceptions and generational tech preferences. Solutions include modernizing workplaces, shorter training cycles, and innovative tools like Axalta’s systems. Emphasizing purpose, recognition, and technology can attract and retain talent.

The SA automotive industry faces challenges, including Chinese vehicle imports, Euro 7 emissions standards, slow electrification, and declining production and exports. Political uncertainty, trade policies, and competitive pressures further strain the sector. Government support, such as tax incentives for New Energy Vehicles, is crucial to sustain us through turbulent times.

C3 Auto Body Repairs Academy is pioneering a new path, their recent introduction of a virtual training platform for spray painters and automotive body repairers has set a new standard for skills development in South Africa’s motor industry.

Hyundai Motor Company marked 100 million global cumulative production in 57 years, celebrating with a ceremony at Ulsan Plant, South Korea. The milestone highlights innovation through brands like Genesis, N, and IONIQ 5. Ulsan remains central to EV advancements, with global expansion into smart factories and sustainable mobility leading the future.

Mega casting promises to be the next revolution in vehicle design and repair, and this time it could be a case of positive change for body shops. Over the last year vehicle manufacturers’ (VM’s) plan to use these large die-cast aluminium body parts in their production processes and this has accelerated.

Honda, Nissan, and Toyota are developing recycled plastic supply chains to meet upcoming European regulations requiring 25% recycled plastic in vehicles by 2031. Honda aims to reduce plastic types, easing recycling. The global market for recycled auto materials is projected to grow 60% by 2027, reaching $3.9 billion.

The global automotive industry faces disruption from Trump’s policies, slow EV adoption, and financial struggles. Legacy automakers like Ford and GM are rebalancing strategies, while Stellantis and Nissan face retrenchments and losses. Toyota leads with hybrid growth, while the fate of AGOA and electrification legislation adds uncertainty for manufacturers globally.

Autotech Connect warns of rising cybercrime threats to independent garages and body shops, especially during Cybersecurity Awareness Month. The UK’s 2024 Cyber Security Breaches Survey reveals 50% of businesses faced cyber-attacks, with 81% being SMEs. Smaller businesses, like body shops, are particularly vulnerable, with many closing within six months of an attack.

As 2025 unfolds, body shop repair trends may become more predictable due to higher traffic and return-to-work routines. However, local inflation, increasing premiums, and a lack of skilled labour, especially for ADAS repairs, complicate the outlook. Access to OEM tools and training is critical to meeting new repair challenges.

Advancements in small area repair, driven by bake-hardened metals, have revolutionized minor damage fixes. Techniques like lever touch and paintless dent repair enable faster, cost-effective solutions for hail damage and dents. Smart spot repairs and magnetic induction restore factory conditions efficiently, minimizing delays and enhancing customer satisfaction in modern panel repair.

South & City College Birmingham has launched a £1.5m hydrogen vehicle training facility, backed by the Office for Students. The state-of-the-art workshop offers training on hydrogen-fuelled vehicles, from light vehicles to HGVs, providing crucial skills for the automotive sector’s shift to alternative fuels. The facility supports both students and the workforce.

Mazda’s Ujina plant adopts ABB’s RB 1000i-S paint atomisers, cutting paint use by 17% and lowering CO2 emissions. These sustainable atomisers reduce overspray, VOCs, and energy use, supporting Mazda’s 2035 climate goals and ABB’s circular economy-driven automotive innovations.

What is the proper way to jumpstart an EV? Open the hood and remove the trim panel that covers the LV battery. Locate the positive charge/jump post and connect a suitable battery charger or jump pack to it.

Motor manufacturing is facing the challenges of wide-ranging technical change, and the demand for updated skills at a time when repair technician upskilling and recruitment is in crisis.

Audi has successfully implemented Acerios hot active plasma technology for cleaning aluminium body parts in the Audi A8 production line. This solution has reduced cleaning costs, increased efficiency, and improved the quality of stud welds. The low operating and purchase costs make it suitable for both small and large-scale production.

The automotive industry’s shift to lightweight, high-strength materials requires advanced welding techniques and strict OEM repair guidelines. Key methods like resistance spot welding, GMAW, laser welding, and adhesive bonding ensure precise, durable repairs while protecting electronics and ensuring material identification.

Rotating Hammer Riveting (RHR) revolutionises riveting by eliminating magnesium pre-heating, enhancing speed, strength, and corrosion resistance. Developed by PNNL, it joins materials four to 12 times faster, reduces costs, and allows hardened aluminium rivets to be used without cold storage. This friction-based innovation supports lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicle construction.

Storage charges in collision repair cover vehicle care and custody costs, ensuring proper handling and business efficiency. Clear communication, regulatory compliance, and efficient practices help repairers balance customer needs, insurer negotiations, and profitability while avoiding disputes over storage fees.

In the world of automotive repair, calibration failures can occur due to factors like misalignment, damaged wiring, incorrect setup, or human error. Technicians must follow precise procedures, ensuring sensor placement and accurate measurements. Even minor errors, such as a degree misalignment, can lead to calibration failures, requiring in-depth diagnostics and expertise.

David Punter highlights challenges in assessing tech-heavy vehicles. Digitisation improves efficiency but limits inspections. Engineers must balance data, repair methods, and ABI salvage codes. Accurate evaluations, improved processes, and thorough inspections ensure proper repairability and correct total loss decisions.