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BMW at the forefront of the industry with carbon fibre repair

NCR BMW Bodyshop

BMW Group Australia has raised the bar for local repair competency with the launch of an enhanced carbon fibre repair program for its Accredited BMW Bodyshop network.

The bolstered program builds upon and complements BMW’s deployment of globally-certified training standards in June 2020 that helped enable BMW body shops in Australia to repair customer vehicles to “beyond OEM standards”.

The new capabilities brought about by the initiative – the first session of which was held at a purpose-built facility in Melbourne this month – will further elevate the capability of the BMW Bodyshop network to repair carbon fibre composites.

Carbon fibre was used extensively in the manufacture of the ground-breaking BMW i3 almost a decade ago and now features in the construction of the BMW iX, which launched in Australia late last year. It has also featured prominently in the safety cell passenger compartment of flagship vehicles such as the 7 and 8 Series and multiple elements of BMW’s high performance M models.

The exotic material is renowned for its combination of low weight, immense strength and ability to disperse energy. Both the BMW i3 and iX feature in the new training program to give professionals an in-depth understanding of the role carbon fibre plays in both vehicles.

Glen Keddie, Bodyshop Network Development Manager for BMW Group Australia, said the company’s new training program kept BMW at the vanguard of repair capability in Australia. “Carbon fibre requires specialist handling and skills both in its diagnosis and its repair to ensure it retains the qualities for which it is recognised and so it can contribute to ongoing cabin integrity and therefore safety of the vehicle for occupants.”

Although the BMW network already has a strong level of competency in this area, this training takes it to the next level to ensure BMW Bodyshop professionals can deliver an even higher level of repair.

“Seven BMW body shops are already certified to repair carbon fibre components, and our training will ensure we can rapidly build on that number with the aim of having the entire network fully equipped in the coming years,” added Keddie.

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