Business 16 www.aftermarketonline.net DECEMBER/JANUARY 2025 Chinese export brands OMODA and JAECOO have introduced over 90 insurance companies to their products line-up to highlight ease of repair and ready parts availability for its growing range of vehicles on sale in the UK. At a dedicated event at Thatcham Research’s base in Berkshire, the dual brands presented the results of their partnership with the automotive risk intelligence organisation. The partnership was established to prove the insurability of new and future OMODA and JAECOO models in line with Thatcham’s new Vehicle Risk Rating system, which assesses vehicle performance, safety, security, damageability and repairability. Thatcham said the partnership began early in the design phase of all OMODA and JAECOO products to ensure the mitigation of as much insurance risk as possible and to help give insurance underwriters full confidence in the UK parts, aftersales and vehicle repair provisions of debut models – the OMODA 5 and OMODA E5 crossover SUVs. The partnership will also work on the brands’ other upcoming models, including the OMODA 7, OMODA 9 and JAECOO 5 and JAECOO 7. Repair data With insurance risk partly attributable to the ease of vehicle repairs, the Research Council for Automobile Repairs and New Vehicle Security Assessment completed pre-testing on OMODA and JAECOO’s initial models, with significant work carried out on repair data. For example, to support efficient and economical panel repairs, entire side panels and sills have been broken down into sections, allowing localised repairs to be carried out. This data and methodology is now available for bodyshops via Thatcham’s ‘escribe’ portal, which provides accurate times for jobs, and the parts required to complete repairs. OMODA and JAECOO has enlisted international logistics firm DHL to manage the supply and logistics operations for parts into and around the UK, ensuring customers benefit from a hassle-free service and repair experience with parts deliveries in as little as 24 hours. The partners have also worked together to optimise vehicle security based on a 1,000-point system, which is divided into three categories: mechanical, electronic and vehicle identification. Specific outcomes of the project include mitigation against passive keyless entry and start thefts, the use of mobile devices being used as keys, manipulation of on-board diagnostics and even alloy wheel theft. Enhancing security With the benefit of Thatcham’s insights and expertise, OMODA and JAECOO have designed and configured their vehicles to resist theft by testing them to withstand forced entry for a period of not less than two minutes, locking the steering, gearbox and electronic parking brake for the same period of time, and ensuring the vehicles cannot be moved under their own power for at least five minutes. OMODA and JAECOO are also committed to enhancing the security on all models available in the UK, with a target NVSA E group rating. As such, a Thatcham certified locking wheel device will be applied to all vehicles at the factory. The passive keyless entry and start system will be protected from relay attack devices and a double locking system will be applied to UK vehicles along with enhancements to peripheral locking systems. In addition, a Thatcham compliant alarm will be fitted on certain models. Ray Wang, vice president of OMODA and JAECOO UK, told Aftermarket: “Our collaboration with Thatcham is also geared to making vehicle repairs easier for independent garages and the wider aftermarket sector. “The majority of businesses outside of the OMODA and JAECOO retail network won’t have any prior knowledge of working on or repairing our models. It’s therefore essential that they have the necessary tools and resources to carry out any such repairs accurately and confidently, especially as vehicles get older and some of them will start to leave the official network. “We’ve worked closely with Thatcham to ensure they have access to all relevant information.” As a new player in the UK, it’s essential that the dual brand’s vehicles are trusted and fully supported by the insurance industry, which in turn makes for a seamless customer experience, Wang said. Car brands drive to ensure insurability OMODA and JAECOO in risk intelligence partnership to instil confidence in parts, aftersales and repairs for UK market drive
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