Editor’s note: Given the significance of Hyundai posting OEM collision repair procedures for Hyundai and Genesis vehicles, we figured repairers might also appreciate the convenience of looking at the topic in a Q&A format along with reading our formal news coverage.

Last week, we sent an extensive set of questions to Hyundai spanning both basic, nuts-and-bolts queries and deeper inquiries. Hyundai split some into multiple parts and edited them slightly (but not significantly) before responding. The resulting “email interview” wound up looking like a pretty handy Q&A to share with the industry, and so we thought we’d reproduce it here with minor edits. Our thanks to Hyundai for its help educating the collision industry on this important issue.

Q: What website will house the procedures, and what browser specs work best to access it?

A: HyundaiTechInfo.com and GenesisTechInfo.com.  Both HyundaiTechInfo.com and GenesisTechInfo.com work the same on Chrome, Microsoft Edge and Internet Explorer 11.

Q: What’s a subscription cost?  

A: There will no additional costs to access the body repair manuals. All the materials (Shop manuals, TSBs, ADAS calibrations, Body repair manuals, etc.) are on the websites mentioned above. The pricing is below.

If you are already subscribed to HyundaiTechInfo.com and GenesisTechInfo.com the body repair manuals get added for free.

Hyundai Pricing Below:

Genesis Pricing Below

Q: What make-model-year combinations are being posted?

A:

• 2020 & 2021 MY Sonata
• 2020, 2019 MY Santa Fe
• 2020 & 2021 Palisade
• 2020 & 2019 Nexo
• 2021 G80 – Note:  Will be posted when the model goes on sale.  The manual has already been approved for posting.

Q: What’s your plan and timetable for addressing other current and future models?

A: We are currently reviewing 19 other models/model years for publication.  We are going to prioritize publishing additional body repair manuals by units by in operation.

Q: How often do you plan on updating existing instructions?

A: As new model information comes in or we get inquiries from the field, we will update existing instructions.  We are going to monitor and update as needed just like we do with the shop manuals.

Q: What do you suggest for repairers fixing a model not among those with procedures?

A: These repairers should send specific inquiries about other models directly to (BodyRepairQuestions@hyundaiusa.com) and BodyRepairQuestions@genesismotorsusa.com.

Q: Should shops attempt to extrapolate from the ones you have?

A: No.

Q: Is there a hotline or email repairers can call with clarification questions or suggestions for improving the procedures? 

A: Yes. There is an email address. We will consider if a hotline is needed.  We will be monitoring the volume of emails that come in. Hyundai body repair questions should go to BodyRepairQuestions@hyundaiusa.com. Genesis body repair questions should go to BodyRepairQuestions@genesismotorsusa.com.

Q: Do you have someone available to handle a similar integration with “Ask I-CAR” too?

Yes… we will work with “Ask I-CAR” and help support them.

Q: Can repairers search for build data using a VIN? 

A: Build data is not available by a VIN search.  Using the VIN search feature on the body webpage automatically finds the model year and the manuals associated with that model year.

Q: What systems should repairers expect to be covered in the collision manuals versus the mechanical service and repair manuals?

A: General Body Information, Body Construction, Dimensions, Panel Repair Procedures, Sealing Locations, Corrosion Protection, Tools Information.

Q: Is there anything significant (for example, how to calibrate something or welder equipment specifications) repairers won’t be able to find in either manual or from other Hyundai sites for the aftermarket? 

A: Welder equipment specs will not be in the body repair manuals. Calibrations of other systems (such as ASAS features) are in the shop manuals.

Q: What took so long? 

A: Safety is a priority at Hyundai.  We needed to do a detailed engineering evaluation of the repair procedures for each vehicle before the body repair manual was published. We wanted to make sure that if these body repair procedures are followed, the repaired vehicle will meet the company’s collision safety and crash protection standards. Carefully following these procedures can provide effective vehicle crashworthiness and occupant protection during a collision as recommended by Hyundai Motor America.

Q: What’s the plan for releasing the procedures to repair procedure aggregation sites like ALLDATA or CCC? 

A: Hyundai is currently working to provide aggregate sites the repair procedures.

Q: Talk about the development of the procedures. I’m assuming they’re created and tested by Hyundai engineers or collision experts here or in South Korea. 

A: They are created by R&D and service engineering teams in South Korea.

Q: Will Hyundai-certified auto body shops get free access?   

A: Hyundai Recognized Collision Repair Centers get free access to HyundaiTechInfo.com. Genesis Recognized Collision Repair Centers get free access to GenesisTechInfo.com.

Q: Do you foresee producing more collision position statements too, or do you plan to avoid them so repairers must learn by reading the repair procedures rather than treating position statements as a “crutch?” Automakers tend to fall into two separate camps on this philosophical point.

A: Yes we do foresee producing more collision position statements.  As new technologies become available we will move with the times and the findings to ensure customer satisfaction and safety.

More information:

HyundaiTechInfo.com OEM procedures site

GenesisTechInfo.com OEM procedures site (G80 procedures posting when model goes on sale)

Images:

Badging for a 2020 Hyundai Nexo is shown. (Provided by Hyundai)

Pricing information as of July 13, 2020, for the HyundaiTechInfo.com OEM procedure site is shown. (Provided by Hyundai)

Pricing information as of July 13, 2020, for the GenesisTechInfo.com OEM procedure site is shown. (Provided by Hyundai)