Detroit automaker General Motors Co. today announced the customer care and aftersales division will launch a comprehensive collision certification program in 2018. The new program will build on current training and tools focused initiatives, with added standards for pre-and post-repair scanning, calibration, and overall repair.
“Today’s certification programs have to evolve to keep up with the rapid-fire pace of technological innovation in the auto industry, especially in areas like safety systems,” says John Eck, collision manager, GM Customer Care and Aftersales. “Our new program is being designed to measure critical behaviors and procedures that will help ensure every collision repair is done to the highest standards, whether the work is done at a dealership, an independent body shop or by a multi-shop operator.”
GM’s customer care and aftersales division is working closely with several companies including Mitchell International and Enterprise Holdings to ensure proper and quality repairs are taking place.
Last year, GM issued a position statement that all vehicles being assessed for collision damage repairs must be tested for Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) during the repair estimation. Additionally, the vehicle must be retested after all repairs are complete to verify that the faults have been repaired and new faults have not been introduced during the process.
The company is also looking at ways to incorporate technologies like OnStar, providing drivers with information on qualified collision repair facilities based on vehicle location and crash severity.
“With Automatic Crash Response, OnStar is typically the first to know an incident has occurred,” adds Brian Hoglund, OnStar commercial experience director for GM. “Depending on the vehicle’s repair needs and driver’s well-being, OnStar has the ability to help streamline the repair process while making the experience more convenient for our customers.”
