LEEDS, UK, May 25, 2023 — Solera, the global leader in vehicle lifecycle management, today announced it will be showcasing the next generation of data-driven and AI solutions at Automechanika Birmingham, helping the automotive aftermarket industry and garage owners tackle their most pressing problems currently. Solera will be exhibiting at the NEC on June 6-8, demonstrating Audatex and Autodata solutions while sharing leading repair insights.
Innovation is crucial during this critical time for the claims and repair sector. In a 2022 Solera survey, repairers said parts ordering (54%), awaiting insurer approval (45%), and time taken to do assessments (46%) are the biggest reasons for cycle time delays, leading to longer vehicle turnaround times, less satisfied customers, and smaller profits.
Rapid advances in technology and electric vehicles are making vehicles more complex to repair, adding growing skills shortages to the plate of mechanics. The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) predicts the industry is on course for a 160,000 shortfall in the number of mechanics by 2031, with 16,000 lacking EV skills.
Solera’s technology is helping garages overcome these challenges by leveraging data and AI to create a smarter, more efficient repairs process. The one-stop shop allows garages to quickly assess damage or faults with a vehicle, create a fast, accurate estimate for repair, and provide a step-by-step guide to repairing it – supported by video tutorials and training.
More efficient repairs are also more sustainable, reducing the need to replace some parts altogether and giving mechanics the ability to ensure the right fix on the first time, cutting down the number of miles driven back and forth to the garage.
Autodata: World’s leading vehicle video training platform
As part of the Solera family, Autodata is Europe’s leading supplier of technical information to the automotive aftermarket. It provides standardised data, imagery, and advice on all things service and maintenance, ensuring customers get their keys back in their hands as quickly as possible.
The team is showcasing Autodata Training for the first time at Automechanika, the world’s leading video-based training programme. With over 400 videos, the programme ensures technicians are up to date on the latest vehicles, systems, and procedures directly from the manufacturer – all included within Autodata’s offering.
Jonathan Sampson, Product Director for Autodata Training, commented: “The repairs industry is facing a major talent crisis, with emerging technologies in modern vehicles requiring an increasingly specialised skill set. Yet at the same time, garages are facing rising costs and parts shortages, impacting their ability to deliver the best possible service to customers. As the UK heads towards a future progressively more dependent on EVs, repairers will need the support of technology to continue repairing vehicles accurately, safely, and efficiently.”
In an age where it is so easy to refer to second-hand advice and online tutorials, Autodata Training ensures technicians have the right expertise to properly diagnose and repair a vehicle efficiently and safely, from refreshers on established models to new skills needed for Advanced Driver Assist Technology (ADAS) or cutting-edge vehicles like EVs – there are 16 modules alone dedicated to EVs and hybrid variants. Individuals that use the programme also receive certification to prove they have knowledge on each subject.
Audatex: Making garage-insurer workflow more efficient with AI
Audatex leverages AI, automation, and data-driven processes to streamline claims and repairs, driving transparency, smarter decision making, and more accurate repair assessment.
Integrating all elements of the claims journey in one platform makes data sharing faster and more accurate, enabling insurers and repairers to estimate claim costs using the latest figures at scale and at speed. This is driving a better experience for customers and smoother workflow for body shops and garages.
Audatex’s Qapter Guided Image Capture will be one of the cutting-edge solutions on show at Automechanika that allows for faster damage detection and estimation. Users can send a dedicated image capture link to customers, allowing them to kick start the repair process remotely by taking guided photos of their vehicle based on patented mask technology. And next generation estimation technology uses deep learning to redefine the claims journey and reduce the average claim estimate time from two hours to 10 minutes.
Hamel Khakhria, Senior Product Manager for Audatex, said: “Insurance claims and repairs are all too often held back by a lack of accurate data and joined up systems, creating a long, drawn-out process between assessment and repair. But by embracing the latest technologies in AI and automation, touchless claims are a real possibility, leading to improved customer satisfaction and more efficient operations for both insurers and garages.”
Sharing insights on the future of vehicle claims and repairs
As well as showcasing its market-leading solutions, Solera will be sharing best practice through two workshop sessions at the event:
- June 6 at 12:15 pm: Jonathan Sampson will present ‘Training mechanics to manage the changing face of vehicle repair head on’, where he will discuss:
- Current and upcoming new technology trends
- How the types of work technicians perform will change in line with these trends
- How body shops and technicians can thrive in a period of rapid change
- June 7 & 8 at 02:15 pm: Hamel Khakhria will present ‘How to boost profitability in your business with AI - Practical AI Strategies for Automotive Professionals’, where he will discuss:
- Strategies to increasing efficiency – saving time and headaches whilst delighting customers
- How to implement AI automotive solutions to maximise success in body shops, service departments and claims management
- With AI exploding across industries, exploring how these new trends will affect the automotive industry
To find out more about Solera’s sessions at Automechanika, or to sign up to attend, visit our website and join us at our stand in Hall 19 Stand T72.