Take It to the Top: Hear from OEs at OEM Summit, SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education

by Alana Quartuccio

There’s only one place to go to get the latest information on innovative automotive technology, and those looking to take their level of knowledge to new heights are securing their spots to attend the the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) OEM Technology Summit on November 7 during SEMA 2024 in Las Vegas.

With just one month to go, details are rolling in about what one can expect to take away from this year’s anticipated sessions. Because collision repair centers have an increasing responsibility around proper repairs that follow prescribed repair processes, the OEM Summit sets out to offer attendees the opportunity to learn how vehicles, materials, technologies and trends are evolving in ways that will impact repair processes and repair businesses.

Session 1: The Value of OEM Repair Information will feature members of the Rivian Research, Engineering, Service and Collision teams, who will present on the process an automaker undertakes to research, develop, validate and publish new repair procedures for the industry. Expected presenters include David Sosa (manager, Collision Research & Development Workshop for Rivian), Dan Black (senior manager, Service Engineering – Collision for Rivian) and Kelly Logan (director, 3P Service and Collision Repair Program for Rivian).

“I’m personally really excited for this Summit delivery,” expresses SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg. “I think the topics are a direct reflection of the complex conversations taking place in the industry today and fit perfectly with the intention behind why the Summit was created in the first place. Having worked with the Rivian team on the overview of this segment, there is a lot of really fascinating material they intend to share with the industry surrounding the exhaustive efforts that go into procedure development to make sure it is a safe and validated approach to repair. I think seeing behind the scenes is going to place added emphasis on the need to adhere to the documented and prescribed steps.”

This discussion will dive into the developmental life cycle of the front frame rail section concept. Field data has shown that the front frame rail could incur damage even in low-speed impact, and the market would benefit from a safe and cost-effective alternative to a complete “skateboard” replacement. Those in attendance will receive a unique overview with visual examples of the testing methods involved, which mirrors the protocol used in the manufacturing process in many cases. They will also walk away with an understanding of the consequences of improper repairs and learn the process for validating the outcome of misplaced welds, incorrect cut or section locations and the effect on non-visible structural aspects on the vehicle. 

“This session is really the epitome of what the OEM Summit was designed to accomplish for the industry,” shares SCRS Chair Amber Alley. “We’ve always worked hard to bring presenters and content that provide the repair industry with insight into leading-edge developments in repair. This team and the case study they have to share with the industry are testaments to the dedication and responsiveness OEMs have to real-world demands and the complexity that goes into developing the available information used to result in safe and proper repairs. I’m personally very excited to learn from this session and bring it home to my team.”

Want to learn more from this cutting-edge electric vehicle manufacturer? SCRS is inviting SEMA Show attendees to join the Rivian Collision Network and Engineering teams in their booth (31147) on the Upper South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center to explore and discuss a speciality-built Rivian R1S body in white (BIW) which highlights the Rivian material matrix.

Session II: How Telematics Technologies are Evolving the Consumer Experience will feature panelists Ryan McMahon (senior vice president of Strategy & Corporate Development at Cambridge Mobile Telematics [CMT]), Hilary Cain (senior vice president of Policy, Alliance for Automotive Innovation) and John Eck (head of product – Collision Assistance, Global Strategy & Innovation at General Motors) who will dive into how these technologies are changing the consumer experience. Telematics continues to redefine the relationships between the driver, the vehicle, collision repair businesses and auto insurance providers because information is delivered differently, more accurately and timely thanks to the ability to share real-time data from crash scenes. Enhanced crash detection, accident reconstruction and consumer communication have all evolved as a result. 

These revolutionary changes will be explored in this session as panelists explore the impact of these changes and weigh in on new industry standards for safety, satisfaction and technology integration. 

Schulenburg is “excited that we get to bring new voices to the stage. I’ve worked very closely with Hilary Cain over the past several years and am glad that we get to welcome her to the Summit stage for the first time. I’m just grateful we have platforms such as this to showcase the impressive perspectives she and the rest of our panelists have on the way that technology intersects with the consumer experience.”

Details on the third session were still in the works at the time of this writing, so be sure to check out scrs.com/rde as it gets closer to November!

Although it is one of the most well-attended events SCRS presents, one would be doing themselves a disservice if they were to miss any of the other stellar presentations the Repairer Driven Education series has in store on Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday, November 6. For a refresh on what’s to come, check out our feature in last month’s Hammer & Dolly at grecopublishing.com/hammer-and-dolly-september-2024.

Also, be sure to make time for the IDEAS Collide showcase taking place on Wednesday from 2:30pm to 4pm. 

Registration is open for automotive and collision repair professionals to attend SEMA at semashow.com. Sign up for SCRS’ RDE series at scrs.com/rde and don’t miss out on your chance to learn from the best of the best! Make your plans to attend SEMA 2024 today.

Want more? Check out the October 2024 issue of Hammer & Dolly!