Repairable Component Design for Repair Cost Saving in a Low Speed Crash 2011-01-0008

The insurance rating has been differentiated in grades according to cost of repair for damaged vehicles and has been an important consideration point for customers when buying a new vehicle. The RCAR (Research Council for Automobile Repairs) has evaluated low speed damageability and reparability of cars. Vehicle manufacturers have tried to reduce the repair cost by designing vehicles with the intent to minimize damage sustained in low speed crash. Repair costs can be reduced by isolating damage through energy absorption structures or damaged structures and components repair or replace easily, quickly and cost effectively. This paper demonstrates an idea to achieve a reduction in repair cost and improve damageability and reparability of the structure and components.