More for Less: Autoliv unveils Bernoulli Airbag system built on larger bags, but smaller inflators
Toronto, Ontario — Tier 1 airbag developer Autoliv recently unveiled an airbag system for a new era, built around meeting the needs of both modern electric vehicles, as well as safety and environmental sustainability. Many modern vehicle designs, especially those of electric models, feature roomier and more open interiors than in years past. This presents […]
Airbag Action: Vancouver law firm launches class action against ARC Automotive for airbag defects
Vancouver, British Columbia — A Vancouver-based law firm has launched a class action lawsuit against Tier 1 airbag inflator developer, ARC Automotive Inc., alleging that the manufacturer has refused to abide by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s request for a recall. “In 2023, an investigation by the United States’ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration […]
Danger Zones: Volvo emergency response guides posted to OEM1Stop
Toronto, Ontario — Volvo vehicle emergency response guides are now available on the popular online repair procedure repository, OEM1Stop, offering repairers and first responders detailed breakdowns of the automaker’s emergency features. Spanning much of Volvo’s current model lineup, in addition to a pair of guides on legacy Volvo models, these emergency guides compile rescue information […]
Backseat Bruises: Small cars underperform in rear-seat passenger protection, IIHS report says
Toronto, Ontario — Small cars are the latest vehicle to record less-than-stellar results in the IIHS’s updated moderate overlap crash test, with the Institute reporting that many of the tested vehicles failed to protect their rear-seat passengers. Bearing an unfortunate resemblance to its recent testing of midsize SUVs in the same test, the U.S.’s Insurance […]
The Takata Toll: BMW issues ‘Do Not Drive’ order for 38,000 early-00’s models
Toronto, Ontario — As Takata airbags continue to rear their defective heads, BMW made the call on Thursday to issue a “Do Not Drive” order for approximately 38,000 models sold in Canada between 2000 and 2006. First announced in a news release from the U.S.’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which identified an additional […]
Prime Parts: New Amazon parts store puts collision centre sales at risk
Toronto, Ontario — Convenient or concerning? That is what many in the U.S. aftermarket are asking themselves following the launch of Amazon’s new OEM auto parts portal, a new purchasing option that cuts costs and cuts out dealers. Bruce Halcro, owner of Capital Collision Center in Helena, Mont., spoke to Repairer Driven News about how […]
Inflated Ego: BMW recalls 130,000 units across seven models in Canada for airbag inflator issues
Toronto, Ontario — Some poor airbag choices in the past are coming back to blow up in the face of BMW, as the German automaker has been forced to recall more than 130,000 vehicles from Canadian roads due to a substantial safety setback. With affected models dating as far back as 2000, BMW collision centres […]
Crisis Co-ordination: Ford highlights EV, hybrid emergency procedures in latest On Target newsletter
Toronto, Ontario — If you really think about it, the collision repair facility could be considered the final stage of the emergency response process, as after the debris has been cleared from the road and the injured parties are sent for medical treatment, technicians are left to treat a wrecked vehicle. To that end, Ford […]
Malibu Malfunction: Improper welds spotted on 2022 Chevy Malibus, recall issued in Canada
Toronto, Ontario — General Motors-certified repairers ought to keep an eye out as several Chevrolet Malibus on Canadian roads have been identified to have been improperly welded in the assembly stage, leading to the potential for bumper-based ADAS sensors to be rendered non-functional. Transport Canada’s recall notice issued for the model, last updated on Dec. […]
Precious Cargo: Updated IIHS overlap test prompts call for better rear seat safety features from OEMs
Toronto, Ontario — As drivers, we typically reserve our vehicle’s second row for our most vulnerable passengers—our children and elders usually—and yet, as the IIHS learned through its newly updated moderate overlap front evaluation, OEMs are missing the mark when it comes to protecting rear seat passengers. Of the 15 small SUVs tested, only the […]