CESVICHINA Vehicle Research Center, a joint venture of Solera Holdings, Inc. and MAPFRE Insurance Group, has officially opened in Beijing. As the first third-party automotive insurance research center funded by global leaders in insurance and technology, CESVICHINA will leverage its global expertise and research capabilities to drive technology-focused innovation and invest in China’s automotive insurance industry.
Along with the announcement, an Innovation for Greater Possibilities-themed grand opening ceremony was held at the CESVICHINA research facility in Beijing Goldenport Motor Park. Chief executives from leading insurance companies and OEMs as well as key opinion leaders attended the ceremony and participated in traditional and non-traditional grand opening events while engaging in discussion around the future of China’s automotive insurance industry.
“This center will enable the creation of mutually beneficial partnerships among car manufacturers, repair shops and insurers while leveraging global expertise to drive innovation through better data, training and processes,” said Tony Aquila, founder, chairman and CEO of Solera. “This will result in a smarter, safer and more advanced auto industry in China.”
Established in December 2014, CESVICHINA inherits its technology DNA from Solera and MAPFRE. CESVICHINA will leverage the resources and global industry leadership of both companies to provide research and consulting services to the China market, including training and capability assessment consulting, standard labor time research, group rating, body shop certification and road traffic accident re-construction.
“CESVICHINA is equipped with the mature global methodology and the cutting-edge technology tools required to provide leading services and analysis to cater for local needs,” said Zhang Xiaoming, managing director of CESVICHINA. “With the new phase of the industry’s development, CESVICHINA will leverage its strengths to facilitate the premium reform and drive healthy development by playing the role of an industrial hub.”
CESVICHINA will assist industry development through the following:
- Training and Capability Assessment Consulting: Systematic training on vehicle repair technology and practice for medium- to senior-level assessors and auditors, together with insurance knowledge and collision repair estimation technique training for body shops, will improve the professional level of personnel and quality of service.
- Standard Labor Time Research: By leveraging more than 30 years of its research experience in collision repair standard labor time analysis, CESVICHINA has launched its research development and training consulting service for insurance companies and automobile manufacturers, creating industry common standards for insurance companies and repair facilities in labor times and dispute resolution.
- Group Rating: The group rating system takes into consideration vehicle body structure, parts performance, price of frequently damaged parts and repair labor time. CESVICHINA aims to bring the global experience to China, enhancing risk management capabilities and profitability of the insurance industry.
- Body Shop Certification: CESVICHINA will introduce a body shop certification system developed by CESVIMAP and adopted around the globe. The system will assist insurance companies in establishing a more scientific repair partner selection and assessment system, thus enhancing efficiency and quality of repair.
“To simplify and facilitate the repair process will translate to better customer experience for insurers, repair shops and car manufacturers – a win-win situation that makes us look to the future with enthusiasm and to renovate our commitment to the Chinese market in the years to come,” said Antonio Huertas Mejías, president and CEO of MAPFRE Insurance Group.
