In a move aimed to improve technical support for the industry, I-CAR has announced the intention to expand its technical team and address gaps in repair procedures and processes. The organization says this enhancement will strengthen technical communications across the industry and between vehicle OEMs.
“I-CAR’s Repairability Technical Support and Knowledge initiative represents a bold step forward in I-CAR’s plan to contribute broader value to the industry through education, knowledge and collision repair solutions,” said John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO and president. “The initiative builds with intent on the baseline work that I-CAR has done for years, taking its impact to the next level. The knowledge-sharing and repair-practice improvements it targets will directly support the industry’s quest to perform complete and safe repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.”
The initiative integrates four key actions:
- Creation of the "Technical Knowledge" portal: This portal will offer expanded relevant technical information, such as technical newsletters, a continuation of the airbag matrix, expansion of the partial replacement matrix, technical inquiry support, enhanced website search functionality, and links to OEM and other industry repair information. Also planned are daily tech briefs via Twitter feed.
- Expansion of OEM relations: I-CAR will be positioned as the technical “linking pin” between the inter-industry and OEMs. Key goals are to identify and address gaps in repair procedures and related repair information initiatives.
- Continuation and expansion of I-CAR Repairability Summits: The goal of the Summit is to gather industry experts to address repair issues and establish best practices. Two events have been held thus far in 2013, focused on today’s advanced steels and standardization of collision repair information.
- The establishment of at least two new Industry Segment Advisory Councils (ISACs): The first will be an OEM ISAC composed of OEM repair technical leaders, and the second will be a Tool and Equipment ISAC. Through these ISACs, I-CAR plans to advance themes of common interest across the participants and gain valuable feedback to guide technical initiatives.
In support of this overhaul, I-CAR has expanded its technical leadership team. Jason Bartanen, former I-CAR technical director, has taken on the newly created role of director, industry technical relations. In addition, Josh McFarlin joined I-CAR in June 2013 as director, curriculum and product development, focusing on I-CAR’s Professional Development Program and all other product lines.
“The Repairability Technical Support and Knowledge initiative will complement I-CAR’s ongoing focus on training and add more value to the industry through technical support and knowledge,” said Bartanen. “I look forward to drawing upon my experience and my relationships throughout the inter-industry in service of this important effort.”
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