Toronto, Ontario — Oct. 10, 2019 — On October 1, Volkswagen Group America sent a letter to its U.S. certified collision repair facility participants in the United States that the automaker will soon require proof that collision repairers are qualified to perform certain repairs before the automaker will sell the associated parts to that autobody shop. At present, no plans exist for similar restrictions to be placed on Canadian collision facilities.
Beginning in January 2020, the automaker will ask repair facilities for definitive proof that its repairers are qualified to complete particular side-impact repairs before providing the shop with the appropriate parts. Upon ordering the restricted parts, facilities will be required to submit repair plans, test welds, documentation of training and evidence of properly calibrated VAS welders to a third-party auditor for approval. Once approved, the restricted parts will be released to the dealership for delivery to the facility.
The automaker has yet to disclose which parts will be affected, only calling the changes “B-Pillar Parts Restrictions” applying to vehicles involved in various side-impact collisions. Typically, parts restrictions are practiced with luxury repairers, making Volkswagen America’s move unique as it demonstrates a mass-market OEM putting improved facilities and heightened repair quality above potential parts sales.
There has yet to be talk of the parts restrictions crossing the northern border. While Volkswagen Group Canada does offer a subscription to its roadside assistance program. Volkswagen vehicles sold in Canada are eligible for four years or 80,000 km, beginning at the date of vehicle delivery or warranty start date, whichever comes first.
The letter, which was addressed from Dan DuCharme, Volkswagen Group America’s senior manager of wholesale parts, and Bill Garrett, the company’s wholesale operations manager, preaches the automaker’s commitment to “standards of safety, quality and customer satisfaction.”
“Volkswagen of America has continuously committed to ensuring collision repairers restore each vehicle’s integrity and every customer’s confidence,” read the letter. “To continue our commitment to customer safety and our CCRF program investment, we are pleased to announce two changes that will take effect by the end of January 2020.”
The company’s other change caters to its American customers: beginning in January 2020, Volkswagen will offer free courtesy towing to the nearest VW CCRF facility in the event of a collision. The offer is valid regardless of whether a Volkswagen is inside or outside the vehicle warranty and is accessible through Car-Net or by calling Volkswagen Roadside Assistance.
Volkswagen Group Canada also offers vehicle towing to the nearest Volkswagen-certified repair centre, accessible via Car-Net or by calling roadside assistance.
