THE VOICE OF THE AFRICAN COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY

Andrew Marsh sheds some more light around automotive key words and concepts that are used regularly like “carbon”, “battery electric vehicles are simple” and “Hydrogen will replace BEV”. Read on for a more hands-on understanding of these terms and ideas.

Van der Leegte Groep (VDL) are converting DAF trucks with Toyota hydrogen fuel cells. The purpose is to reduce the environmental impact of Toyota manufacturing and service support logistics. The CFRP hydrogen fuel tanks are stacked up behind the cab and the fuel cell underneath the cab.

Moving many modules online during lockdown has allowed unbroken learning across a wide range of courses. Focusing closely on one area of training that is key to the “same time, anywhere” approach, Thatcham Research is currently responding to growing interest among their customers to use HoloLens in their learning programmes.

Motor Accident Group (MAG) Longmeadow, made the most of the recent hailstorm and severe weather damage in Gauteng and have opened up a small area dent repair service in conjunction to their existing repair business. They are using a raft of new machinery to keep up with demand.

To date not one of the escalated compliance complaints from the industry made to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) operational level have seen any resolution or even provided closure or updated feedback. It shows a huge degree of both failure.

Graphene is the thinnest known material. It has high electrical and thermal conductivity (much higher than copper), is optically transparent and has a very high surface area, and theoretically, it is the strongest, toughest material ever discovered.

Three of the 14 cars tested in 2022 with Euro NCAP did not achieve the consumer safety organisation’s maximum five-star safety rating. A few new brands were tested too with some suprising results.

Who is Maritz Botha – the new Managing Director at BASF South Africa? He let us get to know him a little better in a recent interview. Read about his experience, his goals and more.

The Sherwin-Williams Company, and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team have announced a new partnership. Sherwin-Williams is continuing to deliver the technology and product application innovation to the automotive industry, focusing on helping the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team and other customers around the world reach next-level performance.

The recent two-day George Old Car Show saw a team from Saint-Gobain Africa in attendance. Live demonstrations were given on the G3 Pro systems to show the detailing capability of this Farécla line.

Audatex have launched their more efficient and accessible website locally. The new modern look and enhanced functionality help keep their valued users far more engaged in the online experience. It has access to the latest Audatex news and updates.

Whether it’s removing a scratch or preparing a surface for a coat of paint, abrasives are an integral part of the repair process. However, not all abrasives can be used for the same job, so it’s important to find the right product for the right job.

In South Africa the electric vehicle protagonists are waiting to hear what contribution the government will make to encourage the manufacture and use of electric vehicles in this country. Meanwhile, there is currently not much appetite locally for buying battery electric vehicles.

Energy costs have slowly been increasing and there appears to be no sign of stopping. The importance of energy saving in the body shop has never been more important. Energy saving measures don’t have to involve a large financial investment, just a few simple changes can make a huge difference.

A windscreen supports the airbags and houses sensors and cameras that are part of the ADAS driver assistance systems, helping the safety of vehicle drivers and passengers. Technological advances in the automotive industry have made vehicle windows different from those that were part of older cars.

The semiconductor shortage could soon be a thing of the past, according to VCN Automotive. It believes the cost-of-living crisis means consumers are not upgrading their smartphones or investing in new laptops in the same quantity as before, meaning chips will be more readily available to the automotive industry.

When it comes to battery electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) repair safety, collision repair facility owners and operators cannot be over-prepared. EV safety is truly a matter of life and death. This article serves to get you thinking about the opportunities ahead in repair as vehicles evolve.

Hollard have launched their Highway Heroes which aims to improve road safety. This year, the competition is open to drivers of all truck and bus fleets – not only those affiliated to Hollard. Entries opened on 1 March and remain open until 31 May. Be part of positive change.

The 22nd running of the annual Passion for Speed yesteryear racing bonanza was held in beautiful highveld sunshine before a huge fan base of over 5 000 racing enthusiasts all out to experience action-packed thrills and spills; with a race card that started at 7 am until dusk.

What pressure is the local body shop industry under? How is Automotive Refinisher doing on the digital platform? What’s new in the latest issue? Just some of the questions asked and answered in this editorial.

The latest research commissioned by Direct Line shows that car thieves sell vehicles on for approximately just 5% of their value in the UK. People are horrified to learn the distress car thieves are causing to secure just a fraction of the value, or for parts on the black market.

The number of EVs on UK’s roads recently reached one million. However, the number of skilled technicians that can service such cars is not keeping pace. By 2030, the country could face a shortfall of 25 000 qualified technicians.

The demise of the internal combustion engine doesn’t just affect the buyer, but all the suppliers involved in creating and maintaining vehicles. Smaller suppliers are already struggling with soaring raw material and energy costs, plus the need to invest in greener products to meet carmakers’ climate goals.

Standox introduces its new Matt Clear System, comprising two products: Standocryl 2K System Clear Super Matt K9150 and Standocryl 2K System Clear Satin Gloss K9140. Formulated with significantly smaller, state-of-the-art pigment size, these two new matt clears deliver professional right-first-time results every time.

There is a lot of vying for positions in vehicle sales with some suprising newcomers and other “old faithfuls” still holding strong. This shake up has been due to price increases and supply – nothing ever stays the same, especially in the motor industry. Cross overs remain king!

Cythero, the virtual reality solutions provider has committed to an exclusive partnership with IBIS 2023 to launch and showcase Virtual Reality training and a recruitment solution for the automotive sector. This technology will play a key role in the training and skill assessment of future technicians.

Audi is setting up fully networked, highly efficient, and sustainable production. The goal is to design a resilient, agile, and flexible value chain to meet future challenges successfully. These include a growing diversity of variants, the transition to electromobility, the increasingly volatile supply situation, and political uncertainties.

The fifth state of the motor industry (SOMI) focussed on a diversified approach to electrification from Toyota and what exactly a carbon return on investment is (CROI). All important and relevant points.

Saint-Gobain Africa recently held a special trade day at their Germiston operation. The company now have a wide range of brands and products under one roof that they have introduced for both industrial and collision repair.

Auto Thatcham Research has announced that it will lead a funded project focused on electric vehicle (EV) collision repair and salvage processes and their impact on insurance claims and their associated costs.

Vision 2030 is a roadmap that sets the focus of vehicle safety for European industry over the next decade. It is a commitment to push for vehicle safety developments and testing that reflects the diversity of the European population. Collaboration with industry has been the key to their success.

Trevor Ward, head of Customer Services at Mazda South Africa asked Automotive Refinisher a question at a recent meeting, “When your 22 40-foot-long containers have been held up at the shipping docks for over six weeks, what can you do?” The current shipping crisis which is a global phenomenon has developed into a perfect logistical storm when it comes to supplies.