General Motors has released a video starring an ill-chosen pet Kinkajou that its hoping will convince consumers to choose only original collision parts for their Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.
“The Replacements,” introduced at the 2016 NACE | CARS expo, opens with an exasperated man who replaces his lost dog with a Kinkajou – a South American mammal – only to learn his new pet is destructive, unlovable and not what he expected. It contrasts his poor decision with the importance of selecting only Genuine GM Parts for crash-related repairs.
“It’s a funny video about a very serious issue – the potential risk to our customers if untested sheet metal and other collision parts are installed on their vehicles,” said John Eck, collision manager, wholesale dealer channel at GM Customer Care and Aftersales. “Our customers should always leave the body shop confident that their vehicle has been repaired to pre-crash conditions using the right procedures, parts, processes and quality checks.”
“The Replacements” can be viewed at www.genuinegmparts.com/collision-repair-faqs, which was recently redesigned to make it more user friendly for owners of vehicles from GM brands and collision repair professionals. GM has added new and updated content, including collision repair position statements on several issues, including the use of aftermarket, salvaged or used parts.
“Our customers should know that aftermarket parts do not undergo the same testing that OEM parts – such as GM Original Equipment components – must pass,” said Eck. “Aftermarket parts are not tested in the vehicle while integrated and active with all vehicle systems.”
In the new and updated collision repair position statements, GM:
- Recommends using new, Genuine GM Parts for repairs involving structural components and parts – and not salvage parts. Salvage parts from damaged vehicles may not provide the same crashworthiness, repairability and corrosion protection.
- Warns against “clipping,” the practice of cutting and sectioning two vehicles to make a collision repair. Clipping voids the GM New Vehicle Limited Warranty for each part involved in the “clip,” and can compromise the vehicle’s structural integrity.
- Reminds consumers and facilities that imitation and counterfeit parts are not covered by the GM factory transferable warranty as well as adjoining parts and systems that fail because imitation parts were used.
- GM also has updated its position statements on refinishing aluminum wheels, improper use of floor mats and wheel alignment specifications. In addition, GM OE touch-up paint color codes have been uploaded and are easier to look up, and 2017 collision repair manuals have been added for most GM brands and models.
Consumers and collision repair professionals can find and download the updated position statements at: http://www.genuinegmparts.com/for-professionals/position-statements. No password is required.
