26.07.2007

Ford Accident Repair Centres

Ford and its Accident Repair Centres in Northern Ireland and the UK are introducing new premium standards to ensure that the network offers customers the highest service levels. Ford’s Accident Repair Centres (FARCs) are equipping themselves for the increased sophistication of the Ford brand's latest product range.

Ford vehicle complexity has developed so far that, to repair modern cars safely and effectively, repairers must be correctly trained and be equipped with the latest diagnostic tools. As vehicle technology advances, the capacity of repairers to fix more than one brand competently will decrease.  For example, Ford models such as the all-new Mondeo, S-MAX and Galaxy are constructed using highest strength steel and feature electronics including dozens of control sensors.

While such advanced vehicles currently comprise around five per cent of FARCs' business, this is expected to top 40 per cent within three years. Ford is addressing the challenge by launching a new premium standard to its FARC network:

•	Comprehensive new model training by Ford for FARC technicians
•	Sophisticated tooling including the latest generation of welding equipment to handle high strength steel.
•	Ford diagnostic equipment to enable modules to be correctly replaced or reset
•	Repair certification scheme providing customer reassurance
•	Lean production programme to optimise workshop capacity and job flow
•	Online bodyshop management system to allow job tracking by customers and insurers
•	Full technical support from Ford specialists
•	Increased integration with insurers' operations to promote FARCs for Ford repairs Independent annual audit of the network to ensure standards are met and maintained.

Meanwhile, a Ford Ireland spokesman said that its Ford Approved Bodyshops (FAB) are already working to these exacting standards.

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