dimitristx

With its ground-breaking Audi Space Frame (ASF®) and all-aluminum A8, Audi is the acknowledged leader in aluminum automotive technology. Importantly, Audi is also the leader in the repair of high aluminum content automobiles.

"Working with and repairing aluminum is not harder, but it's different," says Mark D. Kadrovach, Product Support Specialist for Audi of America's A8 Collision Repair Network. "So before we launched the A8 in 1997, we knew we would have to develop a whole new network for collision repair." He cited statistics showing that, nationwide, seven percent of all drivers are involved in a collision and three to five percent involve frame damage.

The result, by the end of 1996, was a network of 20 Audi-approved A8 collision repair centers which has now grown to 24 with three to five more soon to be added. Centers are both independent and dealer-based.

Why take your A8 to an A8 Aluminum Collision Repair Network center rather than your local body shop? According to Kadrovach: quality of repairs, peace of mind and -- above all -- safety. Particles of other metals in the air can corrode aluminum, he explained, and humidity can weaken welds. So repair bays at A8 collision centers are self-contained, isolated, climate-conditioned, and use Audi-specific tools and fixtures. "It's as if your A8 was sent to Germany, repaired by factory technicians and returned to you," he said.

As proof of repair quality, Kadrovach said he has crash-tested A8s, sent them to A8 centers for repair, then crash-tested the repaired cars. Crash worthiness was literally as good as new.

In future issues, we'll share how Audi is reducing A8 collision repair time by monitoring the repair process and bringing Audi AG collision repair training to the United States.

GDJT Allroad^2

Is there a list of which centers are where?

hessteh@aol.com

for locations of A8 repair centers. In what is the typical Audi customer support mode, there has been no response.

greenie

Karosserie in King of Prussia, Pa. is one.

im_cecil

Some are "Cosmetic", some "Structural" (for the ASF).

Here's a link to a post I made of the shops from the 2002 list.

I wouldn't necessarily go out of my way to use one of these if the damage was limited to panels that just need to be unbolted and replaced (bumpers, front fenders, etc.). But if one of them is close to you it might be preferable -- if nothing else they might be more likely to use OEM paint.<ul><li><a href="https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/43294.phtml">https://forums.audiworld.com/a8/msgs/43294.phtml</a</li></ul>

hessteh@aol.com

in Oakland (12 miles from San Francisco, OK) but they "can only do cosmestic work." For "structural work" Audi suggests a place in Burbank, 500 miles away!! I hope I don't ever have an accident.

GDJT Allroad^2

Closest is Illinois and Ohio for me. One heck of a trip.