Page 12 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2018

NEWS
HOLDEN FORUMS
Over 600 people attended the evening Holden Collision Repair forums across six evening sessions and repairer feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Subjects touched on included the OnStar system which will be launched next year to assist drivers in a number of ways such as calling emergency services in the event of an accident. The features of the new Commodore and Equinox were discussed, in particular where all the multitude of sensors are that will need checking or recalibrating after repairs and need to be pre and post scanned in each repair situation.
Holden’s ‘Brazilian man of steel’ Arthur Candido explained the body construction of the Commodore and Equinox emphasising the vital importance of following OEM repair methods. A number of new parts were introduced which will make repairs more economical. Damian Cahill explained the plans for the new Holden certified repairer network and the thinking behind it, including promotion of Holden-branded insurance. He also announced a change in repair method access to the VACC’s Tech Online.
B&A FIRST FOR HOLDEN
HOLDEN HAS APPOINTED B&A Motor Body Repairs in Clayton, Victoria as the first repairer in its new certified repairer program.
Victoria is the first state that Holden is reviewing to choose its network of certified repairers. B&A Motor Body Repairs won best large shop in Australia in the 2017 Paint & Panel Bodyshop awards, has I-CAR Gold status and is already approved for Lexus and
Subaru. The certification was presented by GM International Aftersales Director Michael Filazzola.
B&A’s Domenic Mazzeo said: “We’re a passionate team who believes in our foundations of the past, present and future with the willingness to achieve excellence in customer service and safety in body repair. Thank you for believing in us GM Holden - ‘let’s go there’.
12 PAINT&PANEL September / October 2018
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1.8M STILL ON THE ROAD
THE ACCC HAS released comprehensive state-by-state data detailing recall rates for deadly Takata airbags.
The ACCC says 1.8 million potentially deadly airbags still need replacing as part of a compulsory recall that will run until 2020.
Over the past 12 months, 1.1 million faulty Takata airbags have been replaced in around 930,000 vehicles.
The most dangerous airbags, known as “alpha” airbags, were fitted to about 115,000 cars, with around 19,500 still potentially on the roads. These airbags require urgent replacement.
“Our greatest concern remains around the alpha airbags, which can still be found in almost 20,000 cars. Make no mistake, these airbags can kill and our advice is for consumers to check our website to see if there car is affected by this recall.”
The FCAI has launched a national consumer awareness campaign ‘Faulty airbags? Don’t die wondering’ and new online tool, www.ismyairbagsafe.com.au.
INSURANCE HEADACHE
Compensation lawyer Mark O’Connor says vehicle owners who deliberately ignore the nationwide recall are putting their safety and their insurance cover at risk. O’Connor, a director with Bennett and Philp Lawyers said, “If you are a car owner and ignore the national recall, then later on have an accident where the faulty airbag deploys, you could have a major insurance headache on top of any physical injuries caused by the airbag.
“In normal circumstances you would make a claim against the other party’s compulsory third-party (CTP) cover. But if you have repeatedly ignored the recall and continue to drive an unsafe vehicle, then the CTP insurer of the responsible vehicle may refuse to compensate you for the injuries. In such situations the insurer could argue your inaction over the airbag recall has caused or contributed to any injuries suffered in the accident,” he said.