AIRC International

Our General Secretary Thomas Aukamm contributed at the FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors Conference in Brussels with his great know-how and experience from the aftermarket. It is not new, that car manufacturers are not very willing to share, that new components in the automotive industry make it difficult to repair, EVs present a new challenge due to high costs, and especially the Chinese manufacturers, not willing to adapt to the EU-legislation 2018/858.

"Dear President von der Leyen, On behalf of the consumers and businesses represented in our Independent Service Providers (ISPs) group, we extend our warm congratulations on your new term as President of the European Commission. We wish you every success over the next five years, which will be a critical time for Europe’s citizens, its economy, and collective security." This is the beginning in the AFCAR - Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair in Europe letter to the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. It is of the outermost importance, that the EU Commission deals with the problem of missing access to data in cars - meaning the vertical legislation has to be established, to ensure free competition for the European data-driven vehicle service market. Dear Mrs. President, please assist in helping hundred thousands of European companies, depending on the EU commissions active dealing with monopolized situations. Thank you. FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors CECRA CLEPA - European Association of Automotive Suppliers #ADPA #EGEA #ETRma #FiA Insurance Europe Leaseurope #righttorepair #freecompetition #accesstodata

Traffic damaged EVs. The questions: What, When, and How?   From the road to the workshop, and from the workshop to the customer after repair. That's a journey, which leads to many discussions. Generally, it is important, to follow the car manufacturers instructions, but also ensure common sense and respect towards these vehicles. Up to 900 VDC, a half ton lithium-ion battery, and a lot of hidden issues.   In Denmark, the damage criteria is in the making. Green, Yellow, and Red damages. Easy to understand, and easy to follow.   Green: smaller damages on e.g. doors, wing, fender etc. No damage to the electrical system, and no airbag open. Yellow: airbags open - large G-force - no visible damage to the battery or electric system. "brain shake" possibility inside battery. Red: visible damage to the battery and/or the electric system.   This 3 color rule makes it easy, to establish a view of the damage on the road, transporting the damaged car, on the parking lot of the workshop, and how to work with the car.   Well, some private “actors” try to introduce standards, questionable certifications, trying to obtain financial benefits of the debates in the damage repair business.   It is important to work on legal base, to establish law and common rules, so all workshops obtaining qualification based on law, can repair damaged EVs, and also contribute to protect the customers from thermal runaway in the battery, and electric shock.   One thing is for sure. These vehicles will come in large numbers and stay! Therefore, we must work with the commission to understand the importance of lawmaking, so all understand and uphold the same rules.

The General Meeting in Copenhagen is over. Some interesting days with dialog, exchange of know how and ideas, technical input, #SERMI, #InCarData, #Firewall, political work on EU commission level, #ESG, #Insurancecompanies, #EVs, Solera | Audatex, AZT Automotive GmbH, #RMI, and of course social activities, and strengthen of friendships. Thanks to our Danish member SKAD hosting the meeting. Hella Gutmann Solutions A/S Treffco

The program for our General Meeting in Copenhagen/Denmark is ready. We are very pleased to welcome several speakers and partners to our General Meeting. > The Swedish #SERMI CAB Treffco - talking about the daily use of SERMI. > Danish Hella Gutmann Solutions A/S - talking about equipment and Remote Support on SERMI, ADAS and other issues. > Dominik Lutter - our EU spokes person - talking about news in Brussels and the fight for access to data in cars. > Jan-Willem van der Linden - SERMI and In-car data specialist - the leading person in the SERMI organisation - talking about experiences and political work. And of course a great part of our member organisations. It will be great!

The General Meeting in Copenhagen is close. On the 5th of September we meet in the beautiful town of Copenhagen. Issues such as Insurance companies, SERMI, repair of electric cars, general information from member organisations, and the future work on EU level is on the agenda. Of course, we will also see the town, the Kings castle, and the little Mermaid. Our host, Danish SKAD has arranged sight seeing and visits of Danish body and paint workshops. Now we can only hope for good whether.

The planning of the big event in the AIRC is ongoing. The General Meeting, where members meet, discuss, share and enjoy. This year, the General Meeting will be hold in the beautiful city of Copenhagen, the week before the Automechanika in Frankfurt. Issues such as #SERMI, #RSS remote service support, #Calculationsystems, #Insurers, #Purchasingpolitics and many more issues will come onto the table. And of course, we will enjoy sight-seeing and a nice evening in town, and visit workshops. To be part of the AIRC is important for the crash repair business, car painters and vehicle builders. As member of AFCAR - Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair in Europe, we support the great work, which is done in Brussels, to influence the #commission and #freecompetition. We work world-wide, and the broad co-operation between members, which assist each other across borders, to get know-how, and with it influence, is an important part of our association. Are you an association within the business, and are you interested to hear more about the AIRC, then let us know. Visit our homepage www.airc-int.com for more information.

We are worried. Teslas strategy on repair times create troubles for the many bodyshops in the EMEA countries. That's not acceptable. No workshop can repair cars without a profit. Especially complicated EV repairs with a lot of technology inside. Solera as the data provider has a responsibility.

An interesting year has begun. A lot of important issues have to be delt with in organisations and member companies.   #SERMI – access to #RMI, #ESG – Environment Social Governmental, #EVs and crash repair, insurance companies’ pressure on the workshops, access to data and #freecompetition.   A positive development is, that more countries are joining the AIRC. It’s important to get stronger, to be able to deal with upcoming and ongoing issues.   Also AFCAR - Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair in Europe has done a great job in fighting for our rights to repair. The IOs need free competition to be able to offer competent and cheaper service and repair to the customers. This is good for the whole market economy and the hundred of thousands small businesses in the EU and the rest of the world.   If you want to know more about the AIRC international, visit our homepage www.airc-int.com, or contact our Head Quarter.