OEM business: Certification

OEM business certification offers numerous benefits to a collision repair facility, including helping it stand out among competition.

An independent collision repair facility owner who wants to remain independent recently said that one of the keys to thriving in the future will be differentiating yourself from your competitors. And one way to do that is through OEM certification.

Safe Repairs

OEM certification provides a body shop with the equipment, training and information necessary to perform complete and safe repairs on today’s vehicles. It also gives consumers peace of mind that their vehicle will be returned to pre-accident condition and perform as the automaker intended.

An OEM certification communicates to the customer that the collision repair facility has agreed to uphold Mazda’s facility, repair, tools and equipment requirements for safe and proper repairs.

The Mazda Collision Network provides customers with the confidence that the collision center has agreed to meet OE quality repair standards and will be continually measured on their performance to stay in compliance.

Achieving OEM certifications communicates to the collision industry and vehicle owners that a shop has everything they need to conduct a proper repair by virtue of meeting all of the respective brand program requirements. That understanding is very powerful.

For the customers and insurance companies, it’s an opportunity to work with professionals who have met criteria set by the manufacturers and receive quality repairs that were developed and crash-tested to ensure a repeatable outcome.

Today vs. Yesterday

A spotlight has been shone on OEM certification today more than ever as vehicle technology has outpaced the collision industry’s ability to process, understand and train for it.

Manufacturers have recognized the gaps in the industry for training, equipment, shop culture and technician recruitment/retention and are offering a better way to take care of our mutual customers.

Manufacturers are required to deliver safe, efficient vehicles that have very advanced safety and collision avoidance systems the likes of which are in commercial and military aircraft, and it is our call to try and advance our repairer partners.

So they’ve kicked into high gear the already established increase in adoption. OEM certifications were not a passing trend then, and they sure aren’t now.

Another difference between today and yesterda is the lack of excitement in young technicians to fix what is rolling off the assembly lines. But he feels the new technology and certification programs may change that.

The manufacturers and the products we produce are a call to action and excitement.

For the new techs coming into the business, the collision programs are a great way to become involved with the emerging technologies and plan a long-term career. For techs who have ‘seen it all,’ involvement in a manufacturer’s program is an opportunity to gain a new life and rekindle the excitement. Lack of commonality of systems and repair knowledge amongst manufacturers is forcing more specialization. This is not a bad thing, though, as it can be very exciting for technicians new and old.