From the Secretary-General - RCAR

January 2010

From the Secretary-General

Of Special Interest:

Hello Again! I w ould like to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to the teams from State Farm and Allstate w ho did such a great job organizing and hosting our 2009 RCAR Conference in Chicago. This w as my second Conference as SecretaryGeneral, and I enjoyed the chance to meet w ith you once again to discuss issues of mutual interest. I also had the opportunity of meeting a number of delegates and partners w ho w ere making their very first appearance at an RCAR Conference. Once again, judging from the number of quality submissions received, as listed to the right, the current edition of the New sletter should prove interesting, informative, and valuable to all! In this edition, you w ill find an article from JKC on their recently signed MOU w ith KART/KIDI, three submissions from CESVI Argentina on their 2009 Crash Test Aw ards, the new SIARA Rating System, and Ford Focus crash test results; a summary of the IIHS Top Safety Pick Winners f or 2010; three articles from IAG on bumper test results, the „Safer Cars‟ w ebsite, and reversing visibility result s; a report on the 11 t h JKC/KART Joint Technical Seminar; three offerings from CESVIMAP Spain on CESVIMAP‟ s new Bodyw ork Book, CESVIMAP in Korea, and the establishment of a CESVIMAP Business Chair; a description of an innovative repair method from KTI; tw o entries from CESVI Mexico on the first CMX 2009 Certified Dealer and their upcoming automotive repair show ; a report from Centro Zaragoza on their new „Campus CZ;‟ three submissions from MRC Malaysia on recent meetings that they w ere involved in; an interesting piece from State Farm about Distracted Driving; three items from CESVI Brazil on the recent Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, the National Traffic Council of Brazil, and CESVI‟ s recent seat -belt survey; as w ell as three articles from Thatcham on new safety technologies, plant security, and cooperation w ith Korea. My thanks to all w ho contributed! appreciated. Enjoy!

Your participation is greatly

From the Secretary-General 1 On the Move

33, 34

Dates for your Diary

34

The RCAR Network

34

Inside this issue: JKC/KART/KIDI MOU

2

Crash Test Awards

3

SIARA Rating System

4

Ford Focus Crash Tests

5

IIHS Top Safety Pick Winners

6

Low-Speed Bumper Test Results

9

‘Safer Cars’ Website Launched

11

Reversing Visibility Results

11

JKC/KART Joint Technical Seminar12 New Bodywork Book

13

CESVIMAP in Korea

14

CESVIMAP Establishes Chair

15

Innovative Repair Method

17

CMX Certified Dealer

19

Automotive Repair Show

21

‘Campus CZ’T

22

MRC Dialogue

23

AITAB Meeting

24

MIROS Crash Investigation

24

Distracted Driving

25

Website Report

26

Global Ministerial Conference

27

Brazil Traffic Council

29

CESVI Seat Belt Survey

29

New safety Technologies

31

JCB: Plant Security Stars

32

Thatcham & Korea

33

Wilf Bedard

f

Page 2

From JKC: JKC SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING WITH KART/KIDI JKC Japan signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) w ith KART/KIDI on November 6, 2009 at KIDI, Yuido, Seoul.

This MOU is aimed at encouraging additional progress in the research of both organizations

through mutual cooperation in the form of sharing information and technical seminars. Both institutes see this as a significant milestone in strengthening their cooperative relationship. Before the ceremony, Mr. Naoto Ikeda, President of JKC and JKC staff visit ed KART located in Icheon. Both institutes held a technical seminar hosted by KART follow ing the one at JKC Japan in 2008. 11

th

This w as the

annual seminar since the first w as held in 1999, and featured 11 speakers from the tw o countries sharing

the latest study results w ith those present .

JKC President Naoto Ikeda (right) with KIDI Chairman & CEO Chae Woong Jung

Page 3

From CESVI Argentina: CRASH TEST AWARDS – 2009’s SAFEST CARS

As usual, CESVI ARGENTINA is promoting enhanced safety standards. Accordingly, once again, we have assessed new cars launched and sold commercially during 2009. As the full versions usually are well-equipped, the assessments were made on the standard versions (which are the highest sellers due to their lower price). In this sense, the Crash Test Awards to the Safest Cars of the Year assessed their price/safety relationship. More than 150 entries were submitted, taking into account active and passive safety, structural performance, and driving assistance. It should be clarified that vehicles without rear-central head-restraints were not part of this assessment, as CESVI ARGENTINA considers that equipment as essential for all occupants, as well as safety belts. In order to create awareness about highway and automotive safety, the site www.automasseguro.com.ar was created, where web surfers can play the game “OUTFIT YOUR NEW CAR” by choosing between safety or comfort equipment on the standard version of a new car. The highlight of this year was the endorsement received from the Highway Safety National Agency and the „Insurance Superintendance.‟ In addition, MAPFRE ARGENTINA Insurance Company will give a 15% discount on policies for the awarded car models from Jan 2010 on.

Page 4

The Winners: The new Honda Fit was the winner in the small car category and also won the Gold Award as having the best price/safety relationship of the winners in all categories (Small, Medium, Big, and SUV). The BMW 3 Series and the Nissan Teana were the winners in the „Medium‟ and „Big‟ categories respectively, while the Renault Koleos was the best in the SUV category. Also, the Mercedes Benz E Class won the Excellence Award for being the car with the highest safety rating, regardless of selling price. As well, this year Volvo was the winner of the MAPFRE Safety Innovation Award for the City Safety System included in the Volvo XC60. Also, for the first time, the 2009 Safest Advertisement Award was presented, with the winner being Volkswagen Argentina for their advertising spots named “Door” y “Pole”, that promote driving behavior free of stress or aggressiveness.

SIARA – ARGENTINE AUTOMOTIVE RATING SYSTEM The „SIARA‟ – to be launched on April 2010 – is a ranking that categorizes vehicles according to safety, reparability, and inviolability attributes, and is comparable to the most efficient rankings elsewhere in the world. Based on technical and statistical analysis, CESVI shows in only one gauge all the characteristics pertaining to safety, security and reparability of each vehicle. This system is free for use by all: public, insurance markets, and car manufacturers. Characteristics: Each vehicle is ranked from 0 to 100 Intuitive: minimum 0 / maximum 100 All the information will be available on the „Insurance Superintendance‟ and CESVI ARGENTINA web sites (www.ssn.gov.ar and www.cesvi.com.ar ), and also by media press. Free use Updated permanently Based on research, analysis, and statistical information

Page 5

FORD FOCUS II: FRONT-END REPARABILITY CRASH TEST FINDINGS Brand: Ford Model: Focus II 1.8L TDCi Trend Plus 5 doors VIN: 8AFKZZFHCAJ263263 On Sept. 21, 2009, in our CESVI ARGENTINA facilities, a front-end reparability crash test was carried out on the Ford Focus II 5 doors under RCAR protocols for front-end offset crash tests at 15 Km/h against a 32-ton rigid barrier. The findings were negative. The structural performance of the first deformation zone was inadequate, as the left crash box presented a partial compression, while a section of the left crossbar presented a huge deformation. This means that the progressive and programmed deformation had failed. In addition, the frontal airbags were deployed; something that must not occur during these kind of tests. Also, the pretensioners were activated.

For those reasons, it was necessary to replace the frontal airbags, pretensioners,

dashboard, and also the windshield, which broke due to the airbag deployment. Obviously, the replacement of these parts significantly increases the repair cost, resulting in a poor rate that economically impacts owners of these cars, who have to pay more expensive insurance policies. CESVI ARGENTINA has advised FORD ARGENTINA of these findings, and to date are waiting for Ford‟s response.

Page 6

From IIHS: IIHS TOP SAFETY PICK AWARD WINNERS FOR 2010

Twenty-seven vehicles earn IIHS‟s TOP SAFETY PICK award for 2010. Nineteen cars and 8 SUVs qualify, down substantially from the 94 winners last year because of the addition of a roof strength criterion for 2010. TOP SAFETY PICK recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting people in front, side, rear, and now rollover crashes based on good ratings in IIHS tests. Winners also must have electronic stability control, which research shows significantly reduces crash risk. This is the second time IIHS has tightened the criteria to win TOP SAFETY PICK since announcing the first recipients in 2005. The following year, IIHS added the requirement for ESC as either standard or optional equipment. One of the big TOP SAFETY PICK winners for 2010 is Subaru, the only manufacturer with 5 winning vehicles in all 4 classes in which it competes. Ford and subsidiary Volvo earn 6 TOP SAFETY PICK awards, Volkswagen/Audi has 5, and Chrysler 4. Visit www.iihs.org to view the 2010 winners by vehicle class. Toyota and its subsidiaries won 11 TOP SAFETY PICK awards for 2009 but were shut out for 2010. The Camry would have qualified except for its seat/head restraint rating, which is marginal for protection against whiplash in rear crashes. BMW, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and Saab also earned TOP SAFETY PICK awards in the past, but did not qualify for 2010.

Page 7

Kia Soul Undergoing Crash Test The addition of a roof strength criterion recognizes the importance of good protection in rollover crashes, which kill more than 9,000 people on US roads each year. Vehicles rated „good‟ have roofs more than twice as strong as current US safety rules require. IIHS estimates that such roofs reduce the risk of serious and fatal injury in single-vehicle rollover crashes by about 50 percent, compared with roofs that meet the minimum requirement.

Jeep Patriot Following Testing

Page 8

BOOSTER SEATS The purpose of booster seats in the US market is to elevate children so adult safety belts will fit their small frames better to protect them in case of a crash. But 11 of the 60 boosters IIHS recently evaluated aren‟t recommended at all because they do such a poor job of fitting the belt. Nine booster models are rated best bests, and another 6 are good bets. Visit www.iihs.org to view model-by-model booster seat evaluations. Top-rated boosters have routing features that hold lap belts down and forward. These boosters would be expected to improve belt fit for children in almost any car, minivan, or SUV, routing the lap belt across the upper thighs (not the soft abdomen) and positioning the shoulder portion snugly across the middle of the shoulder. This is the second round of IIHS booster evaluations to help parents choose seats that will be positioned to protect their children. IIHS can‟t directly compare the new ratings with earlier results to see if particular booster seats have been improved because engineers modified the test device and protocol. The change makes it easier for manufacturers to reliably reproduce the results. IIHS also evaluated many new booster models for the second round of ratings – 60 models this time around compared with 41 last year. IIHS evaluates the safety belt fit boosters provide, not crash protection, because unlike the infant and child seats used by younger children boosters don‟t provide any restraint by themselves. Instead, they position children so a vehicle‟s lap/shoulder belts will be in the right place to provide the restraint. Child safety seat laws in most US states and the District of Columbia include booster seat provisions, but until IIHS started evaluating them there had been little information about how to pick a booster that provides optimal belt fit. Even after parents consult these evaluations, it‟s important to see how a specific booster fits a specific child in any given vehicle.

Crash-Test Dummy in Booster Seat

Page 9

From IAG:

GM’s HOLDEN CRUZE RECORDS BEST-EVER LOW-SPEED BUMPER TEST RESULTS

GM‟s Holden Cruze, Holden‟s mid-sized sedan has recorded the best-ever overall result in the RCAR low speed bumper test. Holden highlighted the importance of the Cruze‟s bumper test result by releasing the following article on the Holden Australia website: “Cruze Tops Independent Bumper Test Holden Cruze cheapest to repair after Research Council for Automobile Repairs (RCAR) testing Holden Cruze has recorded the best-ever overall result in an internationally accredited series of low speed bumper tests developed by the insurance research organization RCAR. Designed to simulate a minor collision at 10 kilometres per hour, the bumper tests measure the ability of the car‟s bumpers to absorb minor impacts and calculates potential repair costs. Head of the NRMA Insurance Research Centre - a long-term RCAR member - Robert McDonald said the Cruze bumper test result was an excellent example of how good bumper design could minimise damage in low speed collisions. “The Cruze is likely to be drivable and easier to repair after many common low speed collisions that would result in other vehicles being towed away,” Mr McDonald said. “Following on from the Cruze‟s good performance in the ANCAP safety crash tests, where it earned a maximum five star rating, this result demonstrates crash safety and bumper protection don‟t have to be mutually exclusive.” Mr McDonald said the low speed front and rear bumper collision tests caused less than $3,000 worth of damage to the Cruze (equating to 12.9 per cent of the vehicle‟s purchase price),which is less than a third of the repair cost of the worst car tested. Cruze‟s high-strength structure includes front and rear crush zones engineered to collapse in a controlled manner to absorb crash energy and provide maximum safety. Holden Vehicle Integration and Performance Manager, Scott Heywood said safety and affordability were at the core of the Cruze global development program. “While of course we hope our customers are never in an accident, if they are it‟s comforting to know that repairing a Cruze is extremely affordable,” Mr Heywood said. “This is a great result and one that goes to prove you don‟t have to sacrifice safety for great value. “The result should also help to reduce the long-term insurance costs for Cruze owners. “The equation with Cruze is pretty simple – it‟s a vehicle with a high level of specification, a five star safety rating and low operating costs.

Page 10

“In the case of Cruze you really can have your cake and eat it too.” Combined with a host of active and passive safety systems and a maximum five star safety rating from ANCAP, Cruze is one of the safest cars in its class. A full range of active and passive safety systems as standard across the Cruze range including: Electronic Stability Control; Traction control; Anti-Lock Brakes; Brake Assist; Electronic Brakeforce Distribution; Six airbags including driver, front passenger, front side and curtain airbags; and, Seat belt reminders, retractor and lap pretensioners with seatbelt load limiters. Launched in June 2009, Cruze sold 2,183 in October making it the sixth best-selling passenger car in Australia.” The Holden Cruze is sold as a Chevrolet Cruze in Africa, Asia, Europe and North America and a Daewoo Lacetti Premiere in South Korea. The

article

from

Holden

Australia

can

be

found

http://media.gm.com/content/media/au/en/news/news_detail.html/content/Pages/news/au/en/2009/1201_Cruzetest

GM Holden Cruze on the IAG Research Centre crash rig with its reinforcement cover removed.

here:

Page 11

IAG LAUNCHES ‘SAFER CARS’ WEBSITE TO HELP CONSUMERS CHOOSE A SAFER CAR IAG has launched a new safety section on their NRMA Insurance website to help consumers choose their next new vehicle. The website recommends cars in each vehicle class based on three safety criteria. To be eligible, vehicles must receive five star crash test performance in ANCAP or Euro NCAP testing, have an acceptable or good head restraint rating and have at least optional Electronic Stability Control (ESC). Results were varied with some classes, such as small-medium cars, prestige cars and SUV‟s receiving multiple vehicles eligible for selection. The website has highlighted the lack of occupant safety in some classes. No vans or utilities were eligible and small cars, large cars, convertibles and people movers had only one eligible entry each. To see a list of vehicles eligible in Australia for the Safer Cars list, please www.nrma.com.au/safercars. The website will continue to be updated as new cars are released.

visit

REVERSING VISIBILITY RESULTS SHOW INCREASED UPTAKE OF REVERSING CAMERAS The latest results from the Reversing Visibility Index were published in October, 2009. The results for 2009 show of the 205 vehicles tested, five per cent scored the full five stars, up from zero percent in 2004. The improvement in the results has largely coincided with an increase in the numbers of reversing cameras now contained as standard or optional features on new cars. 22 vehicles received five stars – up from only one in 2004. Significantly, for the first time, cameras are now available on popular Australian built large cars, with both the Ford Falcon and Toyota Camry/Aurion introducing it as either an optional or standard feature on selected vehicles. A full list of results can be found here: http://www.nrma.com.au/keeping-safe-secure/car-safety/driver-visibility/reversing-visibilitytables.shtml NRMA Insurance Reversing Visibility Index This Index has been developed to encourage motorists to compare the safety design features of vehicles. This consumer tool takes into account the visible area and distance across the rear of the vehicle and whether cameras and sensors have been installed. Results are rated on a scale of zero to five stars, with a rating of five indicating better reversing visibility than all other vehicles.

Page 12

From KART: 11TH ANNUAL JKC/KART JOINT TECHNICAL SEMINAR KART hosted the 11th JKC-KART joint technical seminar on automobile repairs in Icheon, Korea at the KART facility on November 2009. 8 members from JKC, one from Audatex Japan, and 20 KART members attended the seminar, at which 11 subjects were presented, as follows: 

KART - Damageability Improvement for Korean Vehicles - AHSS reparability research by tensile shear test - Fatality rate for PIP(Personal Injury Protection) coverage in the US - 2009 AOS; Electronic estimating program



JKC & Audatex Japan - Trial of crash analysis by CAE - UHSS reparability Research - An effort to establish a new repair time for SRS - Area measurement of painting repair time via digital photography - JKC Publications - Estimate materials for flooded car - Activities of the Audatex Customer Support Center(Audatex Japan)

There was also a free discussion of issues by grouping in order to understand more about the activities of each center. On the second day of the seminar, we arranged for JKC to visit a Lexus body shop to gather experience on how Japanese cars are repaired in Korea.

Group Photo Showing Seminar Participants

Page 13

From CESVIMAP SPAIN: CESVIMAP ISSUES NEW BODYWORK BOOK Automobile Bodywork Repair is the new CESVIMAP book about bodywork. It includes the latest materials used in manufacture, and their subsequent treatment; innovative processes in repair using welding for steel and aluminium metalwork; the diagnosis of bodyworks and bench stretching, and more. More than 700 pages in full colour, and with all new material to help you adapt to the very latest technologies in automobile repair. In addition to these contents, it also covers methods used in manufacturing for joining, such as MIG/MAG welding, laser welding, adhesives, the application of soundproofing treatments, and so on. Real repair were processes applied to vehicles in the CESVIMAP workshop, and to their steel, aluminium and synthetic materials, making this book stand out from the rest. We speak from experience! Engineers, technicians, metalworkers, photographers and many other business entities, such as vehicle, product and repair equipment manufacturers, have collaborated on these pages. Different types of bench repairs, new equipment and tools, and the latest technologies, together with graphics and reference tables, bring this extensively illustrated book together. It is a manual which will be a reference book the professional can consult, and the student can learn from. For more information: www.cesvimap.com

CESVIMAP’s New Bodywork Book

Page 14

CESVIMAP IN KOREA

The second half of 2009 brought various visitors from Korea to CESVIMAP. At the end of October, CESVIMAP and KART KIDI signed an agreement of intent which should serve as a path for future collaborations in the area of research into repair, road safety, automobile recycling and training. The agreement will also permit the exchange of information and the joint development of projects on vehicles, methodologies, materials, and products. The agreement was signed by Mr. Chang Woong Jung, Chairman and CEO of KART/KIDI, and by Ignacio Juárez, General Manager of CESVIMAP. In September, it was the turn of a sizeable delegation from the Samsung insurance company, who wanted to find out how MAPFRE integrated the technical recommendations and conclusions obtained from CESVIMAP research projects and their results. In November, as a result of KART KIDI‟s contacts, various members of the Seoul City Hall Environmental Office visited the CESVIMAP Automobile Recycling Centre, led by their General Director, Mr. Jongpil Kang. The aim of the visit was to find out about the current treatment in Spain and Europe of end-of-life vehicles, and the innovations which the concept, launched by CESVIMAP, had incorporated in this field.

Ignacio Juarez Perez of CESVIMAP welcomes Korean visitors Davis Y.C. Jung, Jongpil Kang, and Jeon Kiho.

CESVIMAP ESTABLISHES BUSINESS CHAIR

Page 15

CESVIMAP and the Universidad Católica de Ávila, the Catholic University of Avila, which have maintained a close relationship since 2001, have signed an agreement which establishes the CESVIMAP business chair, to bring entrepreneurial practice closer to the university sphere. The relationship between the two entities began in 2001, when CESVIMAP began to teach subjects within the Industrial Technical Engineering degree course in the Department of Mechanics at the Universidad Católica de Ávila. Now, with the signing of the agreement for this chair, CESVIMAP will teach part of the courses for the official qualifications at the degree, post-graduate, and doctoral levels in relation to the scientific and academic specialization on the automobile, will give assessment in the development of study plans in these subjects, and will continue to hold classes for the subjects related to the automobile. It will also promote professional practices, and assess and direct final projects, with CESVIMAP participating in the doctoral programme in sustainable development and co-directing doctoral theses. Other activities will consist of awarding prizes to the best final projects, organizing conferences, and promoting publications within the sphere of the automobile. The CESVIMAP Chair was inaugurated with an on-line Post-Graduate course which awards the qualification of Specialist / Expert in Automobile After-Sales. This is a 675- hour course (27 ECTS, adapted to the Bologna Process).

CESVIMAP’s Online EPA Course The course is aimed at engineers and degree holders; those holding qualifications in Technical Training in Automotion; automation managers, directors, and after-sales professionals: dealerships, the after-sales areas for specific vehicle makes, as well as people aspiring to these posts; managers, directors and professionals whose working activity is in the sphere of claims appraisal or who aspire to these posts; and people who wish to devote their professional careers to self-employment in this sector.

Page 16

First CESVIMAP Lecture Series In the framework of this context, and in parallel, the first CESVIMAP Lecture Series is being celebrated, of which the first two days have already been held. The first day was themed around the title “The present situation of the automotive sector: manufacture, sales, aftersales and recycling”. It enjoyed the presence of representatives from the most important associations in the sector: the Spanish Association of Automobile and Truck Manufacturers, ANFAC; The National Association of Importers, ANIACAM; The Association of Motor Vehicle Sellers, Ganvam; and the National Association of Component Manufacturers, Sernauto -- those representatives being from their top levels of management.

All the speakers

expressed hope for the future of after-sales, which has best weathered the current difficult economic situation, and as the basis of a recovery to take place soon. The manufacturing manager of the Ford plant at Almussafes and the marketing director of Volvo attended as representatives of vehicle builders; likewise the new distribution of vehicles with multi-brand sales was also addressed, with the presence of Ibericar Holding Andalucía.

The second day centred on the “Management of automotve repair shop resources: constitution, people and technology”. The day included a presentation of the procedures to set up an after-sales business, along with a discussion of the various forms of assistance and grants available for vehicle dealerships, repair shops, spare parts suppliers and other services. Recruitment and motivation, and leadership in human resources were also discussed. Lidera Soluciones commented on its repair shop management programme Spiga +, and the day was rounded off with talks on taxation and financing. More than 150 people attended each of these lecture days. The next lectures will be grouped under the topics “Influences in the automation repair shop: technological advances and the client” (14th and 15th April) and “Looking at the future of after-sales for the automobile” (22

CESVIMAP Lecture in Progress

nd

June).

Page 17

From KTI: NEW INNOVATIVE REPAIR METHOD FOR PARTIAL REPLACEMENT

Manufacturers currently designate partial replacement as degree, damaged parts are replaced completely. opportunity to reduce repair costs.

a qualified repair method. To an increasing

Partial replacement, however, provides the

For this reason, KTI has estimated the potential cost savings

through using partial replacement in modern vehicles.

KTI has also researched

additional

alternatives to optimize vehicle body repair and its associated cost reduction . In the past, deformed steel parts could be repaired by using conventional methods, and to some extent also by means of heat,

with high-enough temperatures. The steel parts were then re-formed into

their initial shape, without any changes to the material properties. However,

with the widespread use

of high-strength or ultra high-strength steel, it is not possible to do this anymore without restrictions. All in all, these developments result in new challenges for repair shops.

Repair shops must employ

well-trained staff and be equipped with appropriate tools to cope with the techniques needed for professional repair of modern vehicles damaged after an accident.

Page 18

In a recent study performed by KTI, repair techniques using high-quality adhesives and rivets were analysed regarding

their practical use and crash-performance. It is important, when using the partial

replacement method, that the original deformation behaviour in the body structure is not modified. This deformation behaviour was analysed with

the help of crash tests with components. To assess the

performance of repairs using high-quality adhesives and rivets, theoretical damage was applied to the front end of the side member of a Volkswagen Golf V.

Three test components were deformed in

accordance with RCAR-low speed crash test standards, and the crashworthiness was analysed and compared. The first component was an undamaged left side member , deformation behaviour for the two repaired components. according to Volkswagen guidelines,

which serves as a reference for

The second component was repaired

using welding in the given section. Instead of being welded, the

third component was repaired with high-quality adhesives and rivets.

with high-quality adhesives component after the crash

& rivets repaired

unrepaired component after the crash

As a result of the impact tests, it can be concluded that a partial replacement repair method using highquality adhesives and rivets is a valid alternative to welding repair techniques. Furthermore, this repair technique using high-quality adhesives and rivets has the potential of cost savings. Further savings and optimization are possible if the manufacturers offer moulded components and drilling templates. For more information, please contact Helge Kiebach at [email protected]

Page 19

From CESVI Mexico: FIRST CMX 2009 CERTIFIED DEALER

Angel Martinez, Director of CESVI Mexico, (right) presenting First CMX 2009 Certification

December 4 2009 will be a memorable date for Nissan University Dealer (Compactos Orientales S.A. de C.V.) as well as Cesvi Mexico, as they received the first standard CMX 2009 standard certification for implementing the "Quality Management System: Best Practices for automobile repair" in a ceremony at the Dealer‟s showroom in Mexico City. It‟s remarkable that Nissan University becomes the first body shop to achieve this distinction nationwide.

The certification process took more than 4 months of implementation, and involved an

investment of more than 1.7 million pesos. At the event, Angel Martinez Alvarez, Cesvi Mexico‟s CEO, said: "Certification is a step that should be given and that we are giving; obtaining certification was a long and difficult process. Now that it has been achieved, everyone involved, from top management to the last staff co-worker should continue to have that concern -- the interest to improve, to continue to make things better every day. Meeting the needs of clients and making a profit for the company are the two major objectives that must be achieved every day." He also stressed that the work does not end here, that quality standards must be maintained every day, and that he is delighted to see that entrepreneurs invest in their body shops, and no longer see them as “ugly ducklings”, especially in times of crisis in which we must seek and strengthen other businesses.

Page 20

Angel Martinez Addressing the Gathering

Meanwhile, Pablo Gomez Paz, dealer CEO said: "Over the 30 years that I‟ve been working in the automotive industry, this is one of the most important certifications in which I have participated, since nowadays the body shop is considered as an extended after-sales service”. Providers also joined in the effort of University Nissan and pledged to continue giving the best of their products and the most prompt attention to maintain quality standards. Facts: Duration of consultancy: 4 months Was conducted in three stages: a) Integrating the organization: 64 people were trained, equivalent to 2668 man-hours. b) Establishment of the quality system. c) Process Documentation. The workshop scored 97.13 points in its latest assessment of Cesvi Mexico plan workshops (of 1118 workshops registered, only 25 exceeded 97 points). There are 18 key performance indicators (operational and administrative). There was a 2.5% increase in gross profit and 20% in workforce efficiency by operator during the first month of employment with the new business model. Investment: $1.7 million in plant and machinery. What

Cesvi

Nissan

Mexico

University

Delivers:

The

SAIKUROO

concept:

reconstruction."- Workshop reconstruction work with the best processes and techniques.

"Experts

in

Staffed by

specialists who conduct themselves with a new mindset of professionalism and teamwork. A system of quality management that provides high levels of efficiency in the workshop and improves profitability.

CESVI MEXICO 2010 AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR SHOW

Page 21

Cesvi México announces “Expo Reparación Automotriz 2010” (2010 Automotive Repair Show), reflecting the growing environment for the automotive repair sector. The 8th edition of this Show will take place on March 11th & 12th of this year at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City. This time around, we expect the participation of 80 companies, as well as the attendance of seven thousand people, most of them managers, shop owners, parts distribution executives, and members of the academic sector. This forum will include brands of automotive refinishing, bodyshops and suppliers of tools, equipment, and high-technology systems. Expo Reparación Automotriz 2010 will have the participation of many world-class companies from Italy, Spain, and the USA, among others.

Page 22

From Centro Zaragoza: CENTRO ZARAGOZA OPENS ITS NEW ‘CAMPUS CZ’

One of the main aims of CENTRO ZARAGOZA, the Research Institute of Automobile repairs owned by 22 insurance companies in Spain and Portugal, is to give permanent, quality training to all the professionals involved in reparation and evaluation of damaged vehicles, as well as accident prevention. CENTRO ZARAGOZA has recently opened the “CAMPUS CZ”.

It is a new e-learning platform that

combines our wide range of research and training experience with modern, high-quality knowledge transfer methods. The courses offered by CENTRO ZARAGOZA in the CAMPUS CZ are carried out "on line" (100 % on the Internet). From CZ's website (www.centro-zaragoza.com ), the user can access „CAMPUS CZ,‟ where the learning is very easy and intuitive, with interactive texts, animation, graphs, videos, audios, forums, chats, video conferences, etc., combined with permanent contact with CZ's teachers and investigators. Conscious of the importance today of optimizing people‟s time and integrating studying with work without changing locations, the methodology of the CAMPUS CZ will allow „managed learning‟ for every pupil, at the pace that he/she wishes, always guided by a virtual teacher with considerable professional experience, whose mission will be to guide the learning process to achieve desired goals. For Further Information: CZ Training Department (Phone:

+34 976 549 690, E-mail: [email protected]) and

www.centro-zaragoza.com/informacion/formacion/campus/

Page 23

From MRC Malaysia:

MRC MALAYSIA’S ANNUAL INSURANCE CLAIMS MANAGERS DIALOGUE 2009

MRC Malaysia organized its Annual Insurance Claims Managers‟ Dialogue at the Equatorial Hotel, Kuala Lumpur on October 12, 2009.

Mr. Hashim Harun, Chairman of the General Insurance Association of

Malaysia, opened the Dialogue and Mr. Peter Roberts, CEO of The Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre UK, (Thatcham) presented a paper on “Safe Repairs, Vehicle Theft and Personal Injury - Alerts and Actions”.

Mr. Khaeruddin Sudharmin, Managing Director & CEO of MRC Malaysia thanked all

insurance CEOs, representatives and delegates, from the Central Bank of Malaysia, Malaysian Takaful Association,

Federation

of

Automobile

Workshop

Owners

Association,

independent loss adjusters, and all other industry stakeholders.

automobile

franchisees,

The Dialogue concluded with the

presentation of the 2008 Claims Monitor, highlighting national claims reports, trends and statistics for the year. A presentation on human resource development plans to meet the challenges of the industry was also given.

Page 24

AITAB MEETING

The above photo shows Peter Roberts and Mike Paterson of Thatcham UK participating in the MRC lead Automobile Industry Technical Advisory Board (AITAB) meeting which was held after the Annual Insurance Claims Managers‟ Dialogue. The AITAB committee members include representatives from the Central Bank, Road Transport Department, Royal Malaysian Police, MRC endorsed software houses, insurance companies, vehicle franchisees, independent loss adjusters, and MRC‟s collision repair industry human resource and training committee

MIROS CRASH INVESTIGATION

MRC participated in the 1st Malaysian Workshop on Crash Investigation and Injury Scaling organized by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research at Putrajaya International Convention Center from November 2-4, 2009. MRC will continue its efforts to be the Malaysian automotive collision repair industry platform to ensure safe repairs. Many existing and current initiatives would further support the Malaysian government‟s wish for increased government-private sector cooperation.

Page 25

From State Farm: STATE FARM INSURANCE IS CONCERNED ABOUT ‘DISTRACTED DRIVING’

In 2009, distracted driving garnered the attention of US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood when several highly-publicized crashes were attributed to texting while driving. Several naturalistic driving studies conducted by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (Press Release, 2009), which served to quantify the increased crash risk associated with distracted driving, resulted in heightened awareness by the media and the public.

In

response, Secretary LaHood convened senior transportation officials, elected officials, safety advocates, law enforcement representatives, and academics for a national summit to address the issue of distracted driving. The summit was held in Washington, DC on September 30 and October 1, 2009.

Page 26

Laurette Stiles, Vice President – Strategic Resources, State Farm Insurance, attended the summit to share results of distracted driving research conducted by State Farm.

This

included the results of an online survey of 1,005 drivers about their use of cell phones while driving, and their opinions concerning limiting cell phone use through legislation or cell phone disabling technology.

Adrian Lund, president of IIHS, also represented the

insurance industry at the summit, highlighting research results on driver phone use and crash risk. State Farm supports legislation banning the practice of texting while driving by all drivers and banning all cell phone use by teens as a provision of graduated driver licensing laws. State Farm and The Children‟s Hospital of Philadelphia have been studying teen drivers for several years in their “Young Driver Research Initiative.” An outcome of that study indicates that teen drivers are aware of the dangers associated with cell phone use and texting while driving.

In spite of the danger, teens indicated that they frequently see

their peers engaged in texting and cell phone use while driving. The research conducted in 2006 as the National Teen Driver Survey was published in 2009 in a report titled Driving Through the Eyes of Teens, A Closer Look. The report is available at: http://www.betterteendriving.com/pdf/DrivingThroughTheEyesofTeensCloserLook.pdf For additional information contact: Farm

Insurance

Steve Roberson, Research Administrator at State

Companies:

phone:

309-766-1448

email:

[email protected]

Website Report: Interest in the RCAR Website Remains Strong

www.rcar.org The total number of ‘visits’ to the RCAR website remains fairly consistent, ranging from 3,348 in June 2009, to 3,823 in September, to 3,645 in December, while the number of ‘total pages visited’ during those same periods ranged from 6,134 in June, to 7,096 in September, to 5,838 in December. The 33,882 total ‘hits’ recorded in December 2009 is the lowest monthly total for the year, and is likely attributable to seasonal factors.

Page 27

From CESVI Brazil: CESVI BRAZIL PARTICIPATES IN FIRST GLOBAL MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY

The First Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, held in Moscow, in Russia, on 19 and 20 November 2009, gathered representatives from some 140 countries who discussed their experiences in the area of road safety to reduce the number of accidents.

The event was

organized with the support of the World Bank, the WHO (World Health Organization), the Regional Committees of the United Nations, and the FIA Foundation (Federação Internacional de Automobilismo – International Automobile Federation). The discussions resulted in a declaration by all the participating countries calling on the UN (United Nations) General Assembly to establish a Decade of Action for Road Safety from 2011 to 2020, the target of which is to stabilize and reduce road traffic accidents throughout the world.

Page 28

Brazil was represented by a delegation led by Federal MP Hugo Leal, who counted on the participation of José Aurelio Ramalho, operations director at CESVI BRASIL (Center of Experimentation and Road Safety). The research center was the only private company invited by the Brazilian Government to participate as a member of the delegation and offer technical support. CESVI, with over 15 years of operations experience, has always been involved in discussions that promote road safety and, in September last year, created, together with other entities, the movement for the establishment of a National Road Safety Plan in Brazil, “Chega de Acidentes” (No More Accidents). “The Conference was an important step that enabled the exchange of experiences between countries, and the main thing was the commitment made with coordinated actions for the preservation of life. In 2010, CESVI will hold ongoing meetings with entities that support the movement “Chega de Acidentes” with the object of articulating projects focused on the Decade of Road Safety in Brazil”, declared José Aurelio Ramalho.

CESVI’s José Aurelio Ramalho in discussion with Victor Kiryanov, chief of Russia’s Road Safety Department, during the Conference

Page 29

CONSELHO NACIONAL DE TRANSITO DO BRASIL (NATIONAL TRAFFIC COUNCIL OF BRAZIL) COUNTS ON THE PARTICIPATION OF CESVI CESVI BRASIL (Center of Experimentation and Road Safety) confirmed this past October that it would take part in discussions with the Câmara de Formação e Habilitação de Condutores (Driver Licensing and Training Chamber) of Contran (Conselho Nacional de Trânsito – National Traffic Council) – the organization with highest authority for traffic regulation in Brazil. José Antonio Oka, supervisor of Road Safety for CESVI, was nominated as the official representative, and André Horta, a road safety analyst, as his deputy. Thematic chambers are technical organizations that have the objective of studying and offering suggestions, besides providing technical background for specific matters to assist in the decisions made by Contran. The professionals from the research center, specialists in road safety, will contribute towards discussions on the training of drivers, in an effort to improve the process, with the main objective being to build a culture of road safety among student drivers.

CESVI BRAZIL CARRIES OUT SURVEY ON SEAT-BELT USE CESVI BRASIL (Center of Experimentation and Road Safety), which has always been engaged in actions favoring measures that reduce the number of traffic accidents and deaths, carried out a survey between November and December 2009, on the use of seat belts. The survey was carried out in order to investigate knowledge of the legislation, awareness of risks, and practices adopted by Brazilians involving use of seat belts. This was to give continuity to CESVI‟s project of obtaining information on themes related to road safety, which began in August last year with the „Lei Seca‟ (Drink Driving Law) survey. The survey was offered via the Internet, and was responded to by 1,758 people.

Page 30

Front Seat-Belt

Among the highlights of the results obtained, the survey pointed out that the vast majority (98.7%) of the participants among men and women were aware that seat belts should be worn in the front seat of the vehicle. In addition, 98.8% of the participants agreed that not using seat belts increases the risk of fatality in accidents. However, the risk of riding with someone without a seat belt took place among 1/3 (31.7%) of the driving participants, who declared that they do this regularly, or sometimes, which increased in the 18 to 24 age group (50.5%). On being asked if they were used to wearing a seat belt as a back-seat passenger, there was low adherence, with 56.2% saying that they wear it „now and then,‟ or „never.‟ Between the genders, the difference in practice was 15%, with women being higher at 65.8%.

Back Seat-Belt Concerning the use of seat belts in the back seat, the survey presented different results, indicating the need to inform and inspect usage of seat belts in this area. Among the participants, 56.1% said they never wore a seat belt, or only now and then; with the majority (70.9%) regularly or sometimes putting the vehicle in movement without the back-seat passengers putting their seat belts on. The awareness of the rule in force providing for obligatory use of seat belts in the back seat, despite being high (87%), was below the results obtained on the use of the seat belt in the front seat. In some of the categories surveyed, this result was even lower, indicating that there are people who think their use is not obligatory, or do not know the rule: almost 1 in every 4 participants in the 18 to 24 age group, and 1 in every 5 women. As for inspection in the last six months, the results showed that this involved only a small portion of drivers -- 26.8%. In 2010, CESVI BRASIL will continue with the project of obtaining information in the area of road safety, with the next survey involving motorcycles being launched in February.

Page 31

From Thatcham: THATCHAM SHOWCASES NEW SAFETY TECHNOLOGIES Thatcham recently hosted open days at Upper Heyford for insurance company delegates and members of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS). A range of new vehicle technologies were shown which could enhance safer motoring in the future. On 4th November, PACTS members who are part of the Vehicle Design Working Party (VDWP) were able to test the following new technologies:

the autonomous braking systems from

Toyota and Mercedes; the Alcoguard system from Volvo, which requires the driver to pass the breathalizer test before the car will start; the BMW HUD (Head Up Display) which recognizes speed signs on the road and relays this information to the dashboard, also informing the driver of the actual driving speed (main picture); and the BMW wing cameras, as recently featured on Top Gear, which allow drivers to see around blind junctions.

The PACTS group praised

Thatcham‟s ability to share knowledge about the systems, and thanked Thatcham for supporting them in their work in advising parliament on road transport safety issues.

The

following day, representatives from member insurance companies came to test drive primary safety technologies and following a presentation by Matthew Avery, were given presentations from representatives of BMW, Mercedes, Toyota and Volvo, the leading vehicle manufacturers in the development of primary safety systems, who described their technologies and their vision of the future of crash prevention. As well as technologies mentioned above, insurers also tested BMW‟s Lane Departure Warning, Night Vision with pedestrian detection, Honda‟s Lane Keep Assistant and Volvo‟s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Detection.

BMW Head Up Display

Insurers were keen to have the opportunity to drive the cars and understand the wide range of technologies that are coming to the market.

Page 32

JCB: ‘PLANT SECURITY STARS’ Following the launch of Thatcham‟s Agricultural and Plant security star rating scheme in March, JCB has become the first manufacturer to achieve a level of 3 stars. Thatcham‟s star rating scheme provides an indication of the quality of design and anticipated effectiveness of anti-theft measures and is based on 5 key security elements, a star being awarded for each one which meets the required standard. These are:



Vehicle Identification



Key Security



Immobilization of Machine



Peripheral Security



After-Theft Tracking Systems

JCB UK and Ireland Sales Director, Yvette Henshall-Bell, was presented with the official Thatcham certification by Dave Rasmussen, Motor Vehicle Crime Policy Lead at the Home Office at the recent CITS (Construction Industry Theft Solutions) Conference.

Presentation of the Award

JCB Heavy Production Excavator

The award of 3 stars sees JCB as the first manufacturer to achieve an acceptable level of Vehicle ID, Key Security and Machine Immobilization, with the stars awarded specifically for their 801 Mini Excavator series and the JS and JZ Heavy production excavators ranges. Thatcham‟s Vehicle Security Department hosted a stand at the CITS conference to inform delegates about Thatcham‟s star rating scheme.

The ratings act as a tool for insurers to

evaluate risk on a particular piece of equipment and plant manufacturers are now being encouraged to achieve at least 3 stars in order to be viewed favorably by insurers.

THATCHAM STRENGTHENS LINKS WITH KOREA

Page 33

Signing of the Memorandum of Understanding

On 20th October, Thatcham welcomed Chae-Woong Jung, Chairman and CEO at KIDI, the Korea Insurance Development Institute, and Sang Don Lee, Senior Manager of KART, (Korean Automobile Insurance Repair Research & Training Centre), a subsidiary of KIDI, for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding. This important Memorandum cements the already established relationship between Thatcham and KIDI and paves the way for future exchanges of information and data, particularly research on material damage and whiplash.

On the Move: In Chicago, RCAR members had to say goodbye to Anton Brunner, former head of Accident Research at AXA Winterthur in Sw itzerland. He retired at the end of October 2009 after 20 years in the field of accident analysis and accident research. Anton Brunner started in 1989 at AXA Winterthur as Head of Accident Analysis. To investigate accidents for claims settlement s, he and his team needed crash test s. These w ere conducted in cooperation w ith the German organization DEKRA since 1981, and are still ongoing; 2010‟ s crash tests are already planned. Anton Brunner saw the potential of crash tests since 1989. Every year, a new prevention topic w as show n during the press conference and the media and guests day. The crash tests w ere the means f or carrying the prevention messages. Prevention w as near to Anton Brunner‟ s heart. As an accident investigator he w ould analyse similar accidents at the same crossing and ask himself „w hy?‟ He w anted to know more about the causes of accidents, and suggested creating a new department w ithin AXA Winterthur. In 1997 he became Head of Accident Research, enabling him to focus on w hy the accident happened; he never stopped after know ing w hat happened. Anton‟ s last innovation for AXA Winterthur w as the Crash Recorder. A small black box that he first became aw are of at the M.I.R.R.C. Thatcham, and then brought to Sw itzerland to offer to our youngest customers to help them to drive safely. Today every customer can get a Crash Recorder – for prevention, as w ell as legal security. In fact, Sw iss insurers named t he Crash Recorder the best innovation of its kind for 2008.

Anton Brunner, former Head of Accident Research, AXA Winterthur

Page 34

On the Move: Last July, Hiroshi Kawai, Director and Executive Senior Researcher, left JKC Japan and Michinori Hachiya (pictured) (michinori.hachiya@jikencent er.co.jp) joined JKC in the same capacity. In November 2009, Mr. Hachiya took on the additional responsibilities of General Manager of our Technical Research Department. He is currently supervising several research w orks, w hich are t he part of RCAR w orking group studies at JKC. Mr. Hachiya has 37 years‟ experience w ith Nissan Motors as environment and vehicle safety engineer. He has also attended the UN-WP29, w hich is a w orld forum for vehicle global regulation, as the representative of Japanese Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) as w ell as the Japanese Automobile Standards Internationalization Center (JASIC). In addition, Mr. Hachiya has had experience w orking in United States and Europe as a liaison engineer to lobby government and its agents such as EPA, NHTSA, and so on.

Michinori Hachiya, recently appointed Director & Executive Senior Researcher & General Manager, Technical Research, JKC

Dates for your Diary:

The RCAR Network: AZT Germany Centro Zaragoza Spain Cesvimap Spain Cesvi Argentina Cesvi Brazil Cesvi Colombia Cesvi France Cesvi Mexico CESTAR Italy LVK Finland Folksam Auto Sweden ICBC Canada IIHS USA KTI Germany MPI Canada JKC Japan KART Korea MRC Malaysia FNH Norway IAG Australia State Farm USA Tech-Cor USA Thatcham UK AXA-Winterhur Switzerland

www.allianz-azt.de www.centro-zaragoza.com www.cesvimap.com www.cesvi.com.ar www.cesvibrasil.com.br www.cesvicolombia.com www.cesvifrance.fr www.cesvimexico.com.mx www.cestar.it www.liikennevakuutuskeskus.fi www.folksamauto.com www.icbc.com www.iihs.org www.k-t-i.de www.mpi.mb.ca www.jikencenter.co.jp www.kidi.co.kr www.e-mrc.com.my www.fnh.no www.iagresearch.com.au www.statefarm.usa www.tech-cor.com www.thatcham.org www.winterhur.com

2010 Automotive Repair Show, Mexico City, Mar 11-12 2010, hosted by CESVI Mexico. www.cesvimexico.com.mx

Annual RCAR Conference, Oslo, Norway, Sep 12-17 2010, hosted by NARC. www.fnh.no www.bilskadeinstituttet.no [email protected] (host)

The RCAR Newsletter Editor: Wilf Bedard Associate Editor: Larry Roberts Technical Coordinator: Alida Meyer Questions? Comments? Email: [email protected]