SAN DIEGO, Calif.  – Mitchell International recently released the third quarter 2009 edition of its Industry Trends Report (ITR) — the company’s quarterly publication that highlights industry-related trends, news items and statistics.

This edition's Quarterly Feature, "Looking at Europe to Predict the Future of U.S. Collision Repair," by Mitchell's Vice President of Industry Relations, Greg Horn, argues that Europe's experience with advanced vehicle technology clearly predicts the future changes in the U.S. collision repair industry. European manufacturers are tackling increased fuel efficiency and mileage targets and mandated side impact standards that will soon reach the U.S. market, which insurance companies must be prepared to estimate and shops expertly trained to repair.

Repairers and estimators in the U.S. cannot risk being caught off guard when high-tech vehicles demand highly specialized and very costly repairs — there will be no room for on the job training when safety is at stake in an era of rising prices for parts and labor, according to Mitchell. Europe’s experience with both high-end and more commonly repaired vehicles, such as Jaguar's new XJ and Volkswagen's new Rabbit, is instructive. Both types of vehicles will soon come to U.S. shops for repair and present challenges to those unfamiliar with their advanced materials and construction.

For example, the estimating and repair of new VW Rabbits requires knowledge of Ultra High Strength Steel alloys and the proper techniques to safely repair them. In the case of the Jaguar XJ, its unique new door frame construction is complex enough that the manufacturer will sponsor a door exchange program where the damaged door must be exchanged through the dealer for a rebuilt unit rather than risking a faulty repair.
 
"This is a remarkable time in the collision repair industry. The technological advances taking place are transforming today’s vehicles into increasingly complex pieces of machinery," said Horn. "Just as it did in the 1970s, the high-tech vehicle revolution occurring today in Europe offers a clear and compelling view of the challenges ahead in the U.S. collision repair industry. In the competitive U.S. market, we cannot afford the risk of being left behind. We have to seize the opportunity and prepare to meet our customers’ high expectations for performing advanced repair techniques."

Mitchell’s latest Industry Trends Report can be downloaded in PDF format here: www.mitchell.com.