What Does It Mean to Choose a GM and GM Electric Certified Collision Repair Shop?
Modern GM Vehicles Require More Than Traditional Auto Body Repair
After an accident, most vehicle owners want the same things: a safe repair, quality workmanship and confidence that their vehicle will perform as it should when it returns to the road.
For owners of Chevrolet, GMC, Buick and Cadillac vehicles, choosing a certified collision repair shop can provide an additional level of reassurance. These vehicles are increasingly built with advanced materials, computerized safety systems, cameras, sensors and manufacturer-specific technology. Electric GM vehicles introduce high-voltage components and battery systems that require even more specialized knowledge.
Orlando Auto Body is proud to be both GM Certified and GM Electric Certified. These certifications reflect our continued investment in the training, equipment and repair procedures needed to properly restore today’s GM vehicles.
What Is a GM Certified Collision Repair Shop?
A GM Certified collision repair shop is equipped to perform repairs according to procedures developed for General Motors vehicles. This includes access to manufacturer repair information, specialized equipment and ongoing technician education.
Modern collision repair is no longer a matter of simply straightening metal and matching paint. A collision can affect the structure, electronics and safety systems of a vehicle, even when some of the damage is hidden beneath the surface.
Following GM repair procedures helps technicians determine which parts can safely be repaired, which parts must be replaced and how the vehicle should be measured, welded, refinished and reassembled. These procedures are designed around the way the vehicle was originally engineered.
Why GM Electric Certification Matters
Electric vehicles change the collision repair process in important ways. A GM electric vehicle may contain a high-voltage battery, specialized wiring, unique structural materials, advanced cooling components and electronic systems that require specific handling.
Before repairs begin, technicians must understand how to safely identify and manage high-voltage components. The vehicle may also require specialized diagnostic scans, battery inspections and carefully controlled repair procedures.
This is why an electric vehicle should not be treated like a traditional gas-powered vehicle with a different engine. GM Electric Certification helps confirm that a repair facility has invested in the knowledge and resources necessary to work with evolving electric vehicle technology.
That expertise is becoming increasingly important as more Chevrolet, GMC and Cadillac electric vehicles appear on Arizona roads.
Certification Helps Protect the Vehicle’s Safety Systems
Your vehicle’s safety depends on many components working together. The structure, airbags, seat belt systems, cameras, radar sensors and driver-assistance technology may all be affected during a collision.
Damage is not always obvious from the outside. A bumper may appear repairable while concealing damaged brackets or sensors. A camera may still turn on but require calibration before it can accurately support a driver-assistance feature.
A certified repair process considers the complete vehicle. This may include pre-repair scanning, structural measurements, manufacturer repair procedures, post-repair scanning and necessary calibrations.
The objective is not simply to make the vehicle look repaired. It is to restore its appearance, operation and safety as completely as possible.
The Right Tools and Training Make a Difference
Vehicle technology changes quickly, and collision repair shops must continually adapt. Certification requires an ongoing commitment to training and equipment, not a one-time accomplishment that can be placed on the wall and forgotten.
Technicians must understand new materials, joining methods, diagnostic procedures and vehicle systems. The shop must also have equipment capable of measuring and repairing vehicles to manufacturer specifications.
At Orlando Auto Body, that commitment extends beyond GM certification. We continue to invest in modern collision repair technology and professional training because every advancement in vehicle design creates new responsibilities for the people repairing it.
What About Genuine GM Parts?
The parts used during a collision repair can affect fit, finish and performance. Genuine GM parts are designed for the specific vehicle and manufactured to match its original specifications.
Proper fit can be especially important around bumpers, cameras, sensors, lighting systems and structural components. When parts do not fit correctly, technicians may have to make adjustments that were not part of the vehicle’s original design.
Orlando Auto Body is committed to using factory OEM replacement parts and manufacturer-guided procedures whenever applicable. Our team also works with vehicle owners and insurance companies to document the repairs needed to restore the vehicle correctly.
You Have the Right to Choose Your Collision Repair Shop
An insurance company may recommend a particular repair facility, but Arizona vehicle owners have the right to select the collision repair shop they trust.
That choice is especially important when your vehicle contains advanced technology or an electric powertrain. Before authorizing repairs, ask whether the shop has training specific to your vehicle, access to manufacturer repair procedures and the equipment necessary to complete required scans and calibrations.
A lower initial estimate does not always represent the complete repair. Hidden damage, manufacturer-required procedures and necessary calibrations may only become clear after the vehicle is disassembled and thoroughly inspected.
Knowing how to choose an auto body shop can help you ask better questions and make a more informed decision before repairs begin.
GM Certified Collision Repair in Mesa, Scottsdale and Gilbert
Orlando Auto Body has served Arizona vehicle owners since 1989. As vehicles have become more advanced, our commitment to proper repairs has continued to grow with them.
Our GM and GM Electric certifications represent more than new equipment or logos. They reflect our responsibility to understand how these vehicles are built, how they should be repaired and what is required to return them to their owners with confidence.
If your Chevrolet, GMC, Buick, Cadillac or GM electric vehicle has been damaged in an accident, contact Orlando Auto Body. Our team can inspect the damage, explain the repair process and help you make an informed decision about your vehicle.
Find an Orlando Auto Body location in Mesa, Scottsdale or Gilbert, or request an estimate to begin the repair process.