In addition to the acres of custom builds and vendor displays at the 2024 SEMA Show, being held Nov. 5-8 in Las Vegas, NV, the third day featured the annual OEM Summit.
The three Summit sessions wrapped up SCRS’s Repairer Driven Education series for this year’s show, with a focus on development and evolution of automaker repair procedures, the increasing role of telematics technologies and emerging applications of laser welding.
The first of three OEM Summit sessions featured Rivian representatives.
“The first two sessions are about looking at ideas that I can take back and put into play in my business,” SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg said before the show. “The third is about looking at the future of the industry, how things are evolving, how technology is evolving, how that changes what we're looking at.”
In the first session, David Sosa, Dan Black and Kelly Logan of Rivian shared the process an automaker undertakes to research, develop, validate and publish new repair procedures for the industry.
They presented a case study on the front frame rail section concept. Through field data, it was determined the component could incur damage even in low-speed impact, and the market would benefit from a safe, cost-effective alternative to a complete "skateboard" replacement. An intensive validation process was used to test solutions that would ensure the vehicle’s post-repair function and safety.
The Rivian representatives talked about the potential consequences of misplaced welds, failing to follow specified cut or section locations, or other improper repair procedures.
Rivian displayed an R1S body in white in the SCRS booth at SEMA to show off its mixed materials, which include a variety of advanced steels, aluminum, composite and magnesium substrates.
The second session, featuring Hilary Cain with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, John Eck of GM and OnStar, and Ryan McMahon of Cambridge Mobile Telematics, shared how vehicle telematics bring new opportunities in the relationship between collision repairers and insurers -- and the customers whose vehicles they repair.
Entrants in the Battle of the Builders await the announcement of which four will move on to the final round of judging.
According to the panelists, from crash detection and onsite support to first notice of loss, damage identification, system restoration and claims processes, real-time data from customer apps or vehicle telematics can improve the accuracy and speed of how the industry can serve the customers.
The third session looked at laser welding in automotive and aerospace manufacturing, and repair procedures that may come from that. It featured Rex Alexandre, of the Handheld Laser Institute, and lately of SpaceX, as well as Jeff Poole from I-CAR and Dean Brennan of IPG Photonics.
Though laser welding is not currently prevalent in the repair space, research indicates there could be a future possibility.
Autobody News’ John Yoswick and Stacey Phillips Ronak will provide coverage of all three OEM Summit sessions.
Battle of the Builders
The popular Battle of the Builders contest narrowed the field from 12 to the final four on Nov. 7.
Judges announced a winner in each of four categories -- Hot Rod/Hot Rod Truck, Sport Compact/Import Performance, Young Guns and Off Road -- to move on to the final.
The overall winner will be announced Nov. 8.
