Ford says aluminum repair smooth so far

DETROIT -- It's early, but Ford says it's so far so good on repairing damaged 2015 F-150 pickups with aluminum bodies.

Ford has not heard of any dealers or independent body shops having problems obtaining parts, installing parts or dealing with insurance companies about the time it takes to repair the new pickup, said Ford spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt.

Ford estimates that 80 percent of body repairs will be routine fixes involving steel bumpers, grilles, mirrors and surface panels.

"Ford has been planning for this vehicle since 2009," Weigandt said.  "At this time, everything is going according to plan, and we have not noted any issues requiring a change. We will continue to monitor and will respond accordingly if needed."

Since production of the 2015 F-150 pickup began last fall, more than 100,000 have been built, according to the Automotive News Data Center.

Aluminum-body repairs require special tools and training for body technicians. Repairs to steel-bodied vehicles often require welding, whereas aluminum-bodied vehicles often can be fixed with patch panels that are riveted, glued and bolted into place.

Also, the shop area to fix aluminum vehicles must be separated from the steel work area, often with plastic curtains. If dust from one metal contaminates work pieces of the other metal, corrosion can result.

Of Ford's 3,000 U.S. dealerships, approximately 1,500 operate body shops. Of those 1,500, 757 were certified by Ford last month to repair the 2015 F-150, Ford said.

Ford dealers with body shops pay $3,000 and submit to a third-party inspection to ensure that the shop meets Ford standards. Ford also sells repair parts for the pickup to independent body shops.

At Joe Myers Ford-Lincoln in Houston, the body shop is ready to make aluminum repairs on the 2015 F-150. But so far, just a few trucks have come in for cosmetic repairs, said Tim O'Keefe, the collision center manager.

He said the shop is Ford certified, which means that it has the equipment on hand and trained technicians.