OMODA&JAECOO partners with Thatcham to optimise insurability
OMODA&JAECOO has introduced more than 90 insurance companies to its product 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, OMODA&JAECOO presented the results of its partnership with the automotive risk intelligence organisation, established to prove the insurability of its new and future models in line with Thatcham Research’s new Vehicle Risk Rating system, which assesses vehicle performance, safety, security, damageability and repairability.
OMODA&JAECOO partners with Thatcham
The partnership began early in the design phase of all OMODA&JAECOO products to ensure the mitigation of as much insurance risk as possible. The two organisations have been working closely since May 2023, while a formal partnership was established a year later ahead of OMODA&JAECOO’s UK launch. This has helped to give insurance underwriters full confidence in the UK parts, aftersales and vehicle repair provisions of its debut models – the OMODA 5 and OMODA E5 crossover SUVs.
The partnership will also work on the dual brand’s other upcoming models, including the OMODA 7, OMODA 9 and JAECOO 5 and JAECOO 7.
With insurance risk partly attributable to the ease of vehicle repairs, the Research Council for Automobile Repairs (RCAR) and New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) completed pre-testing on OMODA&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 the Thatcham Research escribe portal, which provides accurate times for jobs, and the parts required to complete repairs.
OMODA&JAECOO, which is among the world’s fastest-growing automotive brands and is part of Chery Holding Group, has enlisted international logistics provider 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.
Enhanced security provision
OMODA&JAECOO and Thatcham Research 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 (OBD), and even alloy wheel theft.
With the benefit of Thatcham Research’s insights and expertise, OMODA&JAECOO has designed and configured its 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 (EPB) for the same period of time, and ensuring the vehicles cannot be moved under their own power for a period of not less than five minutes.
As part of its ongoing partnership with Thatcham Research, OMODA&JAECOO is 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, a double locking system will be applied to UK vehicles along with enhancements to peripheral locking systems, and a Thatcham compliant alarm will be fitted on certain models.
Important collaboration
Ray Wang, vice-president of OMODA&JAECOO UK, said:
“As well as offering sophisticated and highly specified vehicles, we’ve been working from the outset to ensure our dual-brand is also backed-up with a comprehensive aftersales strategy. It’s essential as a new player in the UK that our vehicles are trusted and fully supported by the insurance industry, which in turn makes for a seamless customer experience. We value Thatcham Research’s expertise and share their vision of insurability as a key design attribute.”
Ben Townsend, head of automotive at Thatcham Research, added:
“This collaboration exemplifies the critical role of insurance risk intelligence in market entry strategy. OMODA&JAECOO has shown strong engagement in the notion of insurability, taking proactive steps to mitigate risk and instill sector confidence. The speed at which it has undertaken practical design interventions to improve repair efficiency has been especially impressive, and augurs well for a positive total cost of ownership experience for drivers of its vehicles.”
