AIAG and ECG Publish First Global Standard for Reporting Damage Incurred During the Vehicle Transpor

AIAG and ECG jointly announced the release of a global standard to report damage incurred to vehicles during the transportation process. Collaboratively developed by AIAG, ECG (the Association of European Finished Vehicle Logistics) and industry volunteers part of the ECG’s Quality standard Working Group as well as AIAG member companies including AutoComm, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Toyota, Vascor, VW the Global Standard Logistics Damage Codes help optimize the vehicle damage claim process, reduce the administrative burden of logistics suppliers dealing with as many standards as the manufactures and to ensure that damage is reported accurately.

During transportation, when vehicles change possession, they are inspected for any missing parts or options as well as other damage including scratches and dents. The damage is reported through a standard five-digit set of codes. These codes focus on three areas: type of damage, location of damage, and severity of damage.

While the damage codes have been used in the industry for more than 30 years, this is the first truly global standard to be adopted internationally. The damage codes were originally established by the American Railroad Association in the 1970’s. With the evolution of time and changes to vehicles and accessories, it became apparent that new codes were needed. AIAG was selected as the standards group to complete this project and later approached by the ECG, that was working at the same standardization issue in Europe to make the codes applicable both in North America and Europe and ensure that the codes can be used internationally

“The vehicle damage codes are presently being used by all North American OEMs as well as by more than 600 vehicle inspectors. Now with the introduction of the global standard, we looking forward to seeing the adoption of this standard grow on a global basis.” stated Morris Brown, AIAG program manager.

“We are delighted that the Global Damage Code is now a reality. This will help finished vehicle logistics operators to improve the quality of the serviced rendered by cutting any possible mistake in reporting damages while keeping under control the administrative cost.” said Mark Morgan, ECG Executive director

The Global Vehicle Damage Code Standard is endorsed by Odette International. “Odette fully supports any opportunity for standardization in the automotive supply chain, including vehicle distribution. As a result, we endorse the publication of the latest Global Vehicle Damage Codes Standard by AIAG, and ECG (Association of European Vehicle Logistics) and our members, which reflects the needs of the business in Europe as well as North America.” Odette International

About AIAG
AIAG is a unique not-for-profit organization where for more than 25 years, OEMs, suppliers, service providers, government and academia have worked collaboratively to drive cost and complexity from the supply chain via global standards development and harmonized business practices. AIAG membership has grown to include preeminent OEMs such as Caterpillar, Chrysler LLC, Daimler, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Honda, Navistar International, Nissan, Toyota and many of their part suppliers and service providers. For more information, please visit the organization’s Web site at www.aiag.org.

About ECG
Established in 1997 in Brussels, ECG represents more than 2/3rds of the European Finished Vehicles Logistics industry. ECG Members operate in the field of outbound logistics for the Automotive sector, including quality control at the end of the assembly line, storage in special compounds, transport in all modalities – rail, road and sea – de-waxing Pre-Delivery Inspections (PDI), customising, workshop activities and the refurbishing of former fleet vehicles. ECG has 90 members from 24 countries, which last year recorded an aggregated turnover in excess of 15 billion Euros with about 40 million car movements per year.

64,000 direct employees and up to 162,000 indirect people involved. In terms of equipment, the ECG members operate 20,000 trucks, 20,000 rail wagons, about 337 ships; 42 river barges; 462 compounds; 146 port terminals; more than 58 million square metres of car parks; about one million square metres of workshops. To know more Please visit www.eurocartrans.org