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Many bodyshops are looking to Vehicle Manufacturer (VM) approvals to ensure their future. But what are VMs looking for in return? bodyshop asked the VMs to find out.
Robert Dewe, Bodyshop Inspection Manager, GM UK & I Bodyshop Programme
What does the process involve? All bodyshops on the Vauxhall network need to be part of the same legal entity as the retailer ie a franchised site.
How long does approval take? Dependent on audit performance and any action plan requirements.
How many audits are needed? At least one per year.
How much does it cost? Dependent on audit and any changes in criteria ie access to VM repair methods, equipment etc. In addition, a minimal quarterly marketing fee (circa £100) is necessary to contribute towards producing marketing materials
Who should bodyshops contact when trying to seek approval? Applicants need to apply in writing to the Accident Repair Channel Manager, Mailpoint UK 1-103-303 Griffin House, Osborne Road, Luton, Beds, LU1 3YT. Independent applications will be declined at this point as we do not have the ability to approve them at present.
Wayne Dye, General Manager – Parts & Accessories
What is the process involved? All bodyshops need to be nominated by a Suzuki dealer. A self assessment is then completed to look at compliance with our standards, and then they are assessed by one of our program representatives.
How long does it take? Around three months.
How much does it cost? Dependant on how many upgrades that may be required, but assuming they meet them straight away, there is a signage cost of around £400 and any training courses that we ask them to attend. Presently we do not ask bodyshops to attend mandatory training courses.
How many audits have to be undertaken? One initially and then one every two years.
Who should bodyshops contact when trying to seek approval? Their local dealer.
Kevern Thompson, Body & Paint Program Manager
What does the process involve? The process of a repairer joining the approved network can only stem through a dealership nomination as this secures a genuine parts supply chain route and ensures our customers benefit from the corporate brand identity.
Once a nomination has been received via a dealership, we make sure that this dealer has only one nomination and that the dealer has no existing repairer relationships. We use the rule of one dealer per one nominated repairer.
The repairer is then contacted and the costs and processes are explained. Trademark licence fees apply per brand, but these are discounted if the dealership is dual branded ie Jaguar and Land Rover.
What are the minimum criteria that bodyshops have to have in order to achieve approval? The contract is then setup between the dealer and the repairer and the repairer undergoes an initial assessment for suitability. This contains; assessment against Jaguar Land Rover standards, equipment, commercial legislation and health and safety conformity, the use of VM approved paint brands. As well as this, if a repairer has requested to become a category A repairer (required to repair aluminium) they have to achieve a 100% audit. Category B repairers must achieve a pass rate of 85% as the additional 15% of the audit carries aluminium specific questions.
How long does it take? The assessment, carried out by a regional Technical Commercial Development Manager (TCDM) can take up to three months to complete, subject to the entry level of the bodyshop. If the bodyshop fails the audit or the remedial work required to achieve the assessment via support of the TCDM, then the dealership may be asked to nominate another repairer.
Amanda Newport, Technical Services Field Operations Manager
What does the process involve? Following an application, we provide a full set of the FGA (Fiat Group Automobiles) standards and guidance notes and a self-assessment document that needs to be returned for validation. Compliance is assessed opposite the standards, and if necessary, a development plan will be created to bring the bodyshop in line with those standards. Once the bodyshop can demonstrate compliance, we conduct a field audit, and subject to it passing the audit, approval will be granted. Unless we seek to appoint a bodyshop directly to provide specific geographical coverage, all applications need to be accompanied by a nomination letter from the sponsoring dealer.
How long does it take? This depends on how speedily the bodyshop processes documentation and how much additional work is required to meet the standards. With a proactive, professional bodyshop, the process should be completed within six to 10 weeks.
How much does it cost? Aside from any investment a bodyshop may need to meet the standards, the only cost from auditing is for the branding materials and signage which is several hundred pounds.
How many audits have to be undertaken? There is no cost for the initial audit, but a modest charge is made for any re-audits that may be necessary. And ongoing, modest fees are then applied for the annual audits.
Who should bodyshops contact when trying to seek approval? We would always urge bodyshops to develop a relationship with their local FGA dealer who can advise them on the process, but if they wish to contact us directly, they should send an email to fga-info@fusion-ms.co.uk.
What are the minimum criteria that bodyshops have to have in order to achieve approval? The FGA standards embrace a range of compliance areas, such as; customer service, site presentation, image and branding, business process and control, regulatory compliance, equipment levels, repair quality, technician competence etc. Appropriate demands are made of bodyshops and a good standard of professionalism is expected to ensure that the needs of the FGA customers are fully met in terms of service, quality and safety. However, the FGA standards are under constant review, and will be updated as appropriate in the future.
Are there any differences between the Fiat and Alfa Romeo approvals? Fundamentally, there is little difference between the standards except for branding at this stage, largely because the technologies deployed across the brands are consistent. However, we are always mindful that should there be a divergence in those technologies, we may consider creating separate standards, certainly in respect of certain elements.
Adrian Mossop, Accident Repair Manager
What does the process involve? If the bodyshop is independent (ie not part of a dealership that holds the Citroën franchise), the bodyshop needs to establish a trading relationship with a franchised Citroën dealer. Once this is in place, the franchised Citroën dealer would need to nominate the bodyshop to the regional field aftersales team, supported by a business plan.
How many audits have to be undertaken? The regional team would then assess the suitability of the bodyshop and ensure that the nomination was to the mutual benefit of the bodyshop and the franchised Citroën dealer – in particular that both parties would work together to ensure customer satisfaction. The regional team would then pass the nomination to the bodyshop development team. An audit would be carried out and any shortfalls discussed with the bodyshop. The audit is based on three key criteria; industry standards, best practice and Citroën brand standards
How much does it cost? Most bodyshops are required to make some investment in terms of Citroën brand standards, for example, Citroën UK recommend the participation in Citroën generated programmes, such as the Citroën paint distribution programme and Citroën accident assistance. In addition, all Citroën customers would need to be dealt with at the franchised Citroën dealer, rather than at the bodyshop reception area.
What are the minimum criteria that bodyshops have to have in order to achieve approval? If all of the above is accepted by all parties – the bodyshop, franchised Citroën dealer and Citroën UK – the approval would be granted and a contract signed between the franchised Citroën dealer (the sponsor) and the bodyshop.
How long does it take? Dependent on the particular bodyshop, the approval can normally be granted within six weeks. There is no charge for the approval, although there will be costs attached to mandatory repair certificates (that must be generated for every customer), and subscription to the on-line technical information service called ‘Citroën Service’.
Who should bodyshops contact in the first instance when trying to seek approval? Adrian Mossop, Accident Repair Manager, email: adrian.mossop@mpsa.com. telephone; 02476 884 385.
Nigel Brooker, Dealer Inventory and Body & Paint Manager
What does the process involve? An independent bodyshop that wants to apply for Volvo approval must be nominated by a dealer or Volvo authorised repairer, which must then be ratified by Volvo, unless the bodyshop is dealer/group owned. Each dealer can only nominate one body and paint repair partner. Initially the bodyshop, through the Volvo dealer/approved repairer, completes a nomination form which is forwarded, via letter or email, to Volvo. If it is approved, then a self assessment (against Volvo’s standards) takes place.
How many audits have to be undertaken? KRM Training and Development is responsible for completing audits for bodyshop applicants and co-ordinating the activities the audits involve. After the self assessment, an audit is carried out and, if/when passed, the bodyshop, subject to agreeing with specific repair procedures and agreeing terms and conditions with the nominating dealer, will be appointed. The bodyshop is then subjected to annual audits thereafter.
How much does it cost? Currently all audits are £599 plus VAT.
What are the minimum criteria that bodyshops have to have in order to achieve approval? All bodyshops on the Volvo network must have Volvo-specific tools and consumables. The total cost for these is currently £1380.97p plus VAT, which includes specialist equipment and various Volvo publications. Bodyshops must also apply for access to Volvo’s VIDA system (Vehicle Information and Diagnostics for the Aftermarket) where there is a charge. The bodyshop will then have access to Volvo's training facilities based in Daventry (where charges may apply depending on the course). As well as this, a minimum of one panel and one paint technician must be registered on the Volvo web-based competence development programme Nextlearn and be active in progressing through the training programmes.
How long does it take? However long it takes to resolve any non-conformances, so anything from two months onwards.
Who should bodyshops contact in the first instance when trying to seek approval? Nomination is reliant on a dealer either not having a bodyshop in place or the dealer looking to change. Initially any enquiries should be directed to the local dealer. For general information you can contact Nigel Brooker via phone: 01628 422457 or email: nbrooker@volvocars.com.
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