," one panelbeater, who wished to speak anonymously, said last week.
Collision Repair Association general manager Neil Pritchard said the association generally supported IAG's repair referral proposal last year for its intention to introduce standards, but what had happened had left those in the industry "scratching their heads".
"There seems to be no logic. Some of the good shops have been left out. For customers it means they will be directed to Whangarei, a move that many people will find unfathomable and unpalatable," he said.
IAG had a variable pricing structure that allowed $80 per hour for gold repairers, $73 per hour for Tier 1-aligned operators and $68 for Tier 2-aligned repairers. Far North businesses, as non-aligned operators, are looking at $59 per hour.
"A cynic would say this smacks of cost-cutting," Mr Pritchard said.
Panelbeaters were hoping that customers would know that they had the right to decide who repaired their vehicles, and that they could continue to support their local tradespeople. Without a contract, however, it would be up to the panelbeaters, not IAG, to guarantee the work done.
IAG head of corporate affairs Craig Dowling said the company felt it was necessary to undertake a review because of changes in vehicle manufacturing, technology and repair methodologies, "and to ensure our customers benefit from consistently higher repair standards and faster repair times."
Six repairers north of Whangarei had taken part in the IAG review.
"Unfortunately none of these repairers in this area met the required standards to be offered contracts as approved repairers in our network, but we have provided four repairers with individual debrief calls so they can understand the decision," Mr Dowling said.
"They have the potential to become approved repairers once certain criteria have been met, and we will continue to review the network to ensure it meets our business requirements."
He acknowledged that customers may still choose where their vehicle would be repaired.
"While we would prefer that they make use of our approved repairer network, we appreciate that this may not always be convenient in areas like the Far North," he added.
"The safety and satisfaction of our customers is paramount. We ensure that our customers have access to a network of approved repairers that they can trust will provide them a high standard of service and quality workmanship."
There had been no decision to exclude any region of New Zealand, while IAG's stated key principles included to 'constantly look for ways to work closely with the community, helping people at all times, not just when they have to make a claim'.
