Technology plays a huge role in the modern automotive industry. The average new car in a dealership showroom is now packed with features and gadgets that, just a decade ago, might have seemed like the stuff of science fiction. Automatic lane assist, voice commands that actually work, and parking-assist cameras have all helped to make motoring life safer, more convenient, and generally more pleasant.
Our approach to maintenance has also changed, thanks in large part to the introduction of Small to Medium Area Repair Technology. This technology (or rather, series of technologies) allows motorists to repair small defects without having to replace an entire panel. For example, we might remove a dent without having to respray the vehicle – or we can respray it in a localised way that’s unobtrusive, and can be done at the roadside.
This convenience is something that makes the technology appealing to many motorists, who won’t want the hassle and cost of taking the vehicle to a repair shop. If you’re running a business and you’re thinking of expanding into the trade, then this might provide a viable way of doing it – provided that you’re backed by the appropriate motor trade insurance.
The benefits of SMART
- SMART repairs tend to be much faster. The tools and techniques involved are designed to deliver focused results on a specific area. Since this removes the need to actually disassemble the vehicle, the amount of work is therefore lowered. As such, this kind of repair can take minutes rather than hours.
- Partly as a consequence of this, costs are greatly reduced when compared with those of traditional methods. You’ll spend less on both labour and materials, and you’ll be able to pass these savings on to your customers. This will put you at an advantage compared with other repair shops – though you might also have to deal with the costs involved in keeping your business mobile.
- SMART repairs tend to be less invasive and risky. There’s no need to take the vehicle’s bodywork to pieces, which reduces the risk of the structure of the vehicle being compromised. Often, inexperienced mechanics can unwittingly inflict subtle damage when they’re doing a complex repair job. When no disassembly is required, the risk is greatly reduced.
- Finally, we should consider the environmental impact of the repairs themselves. A SMART operation will allow a piece of bodywork to be repaired, rather than replaced. This means we’ll save on the environmental cost of manufacturing a new component. When we consider the emissions generated by steel production, this is not an inconsiderable saving. Given that your potential customers might be concerned about their impact on the environment, this is a benefit that you shouldn’t be shy about promoting!
