BMW Australia is employing a new globally-certified training program and capability to repair carbon-fibre parts and electric vehicles to a standard described as better than original.

It is an expansion of its accredited national vehicle repair program that is designed to repair BMWs to a structural integrity and quality that matches or exceeds the levels achieved in the factories where the vehicles were manufactured.

The program for body and paint repair is claimed to put BMW at the forefront of the industry with the ability to repair advanced components including carbon-fibre and “space-age” structural elements used in the construction of electric vehicles.

BMW Group Australia head of aftersales, Dr Reiner Meierbeck, said the brand and its 45 accredited national bodyshop outlets use the latest techniques for vehicle repair.

“Our aim is not to repair BMW vehicles to OEM standards, but actually repair to a much higher level so they can capably withstand another impact, ensuring superior cabin integrity for all occupants,” he said.

The training program underway by BMW in Australia is also designed to future proof the work of repairers.

Dr Meierbeck said it provided repairers with knowledge and education of new-generation automotive design, engineering and construction techniques and how to deal with the intricacies of repairing highly complex vehicles.

“As we transition into more mainstream adoption of electric vehicles and autonomous technologies, we are seeing an increased requirement for chassis and bodies to balance strength, weight, flex and rigidity,” he said.

“BMW vehicles now include increased levels of high-strength steel, aluminium, aluminium-steel composites, carbon, plastics and thermal plastics, and we therefore need to ensure our people are educated and fully informed of every detail.

“This is where such a high quality training program plays such an important role and, when combined with our technical capability, further differentiates a BMW Bodyshop from a conventional bodyshop.”

BMW Australia said paint and panel repair professionals trained in the global program work with cutting-edge techniques in all bodyshops to provide a peerless final result.

“These include aviation-standard methodologies to ensure the vehicle performs to its highest standard and also carries a superior finish following an accident or repair work,” it said in a statement.

“In addition, BMW adopts a training career pathway for specialists to ensure they receive updated modules and training information in light of BMW’s unprecedented rollout of new models and constantly refreshed product portfolio.”

The new training program covers carbon-fibre repair; structural repair; panel replacement; painter training; glass replacement; EV overview; model technology updates; and insurance assessor training.

The program integrates with an expanded technical infrastructure for national BMW Bodyshops that provides greater coverage and convenience for BMW customers.

BMW Bodyshop facilities include model-specific computerised body-alignment benches to check alignment of vehicle body points; the Kinematic Diagnostic System (KDS) to return suspension geometry to factory tolerances; and the Diagnostic Information System (DIS), which can determine in precise detail the extent of vehicle damage before work begins.

By Neil Dowling