Autogroup Solutions says it is leading the way in this area

When it comes to driving functions of vehicles, safety is always top priority.
In support of this notion is vehicle software, which must process data from sensors such as cameras, automatic emergency braking systems, automatic navigational systems and blind spot detection in real time to make safe decisions around the control of the vehicle.
Calibrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) correctly is of major importance, as the accuracy of calibration has dire consequences if not done to OEM standards.
The acquisition by the MotorOne Group in mid-2024 of ADAS calibration specialist business, Autogroup Solutions, reportedly highlights the growing industry concerns over the impact of poorly calibrated ADAS on vehicle reliability and occupant safety.
“We’re talking calibration issues that can cause erratic vehicle behaviour such as unexpected stops and unexplained lane changes,” Autogroup Solutions General Manager, Gonzalo Haddad, said.
“Despite these risks, many in the motor retail industry remain unaware of the implications of incorrect ADAS calibrations, as few technicians possess the specialist knowledge to perform strict OEM standards compliance, let alone having a thorough understanding of the potential safety risks posed by improper adjustments.”
These concerns are at the very heart of the Autogroup Solutions business, which was founded in 2015 by Gonzalo and commenced operations out of a hi-tech installation/calibration centre in Melbourne’s southern suburbs.
Autogroup Solutions meticulously drills down and genuinely diagnoses each vehicle to OEM compliant standards with what is still considered a niche skillset.
Gonzalo started out as an auto electrician working in the smash repair industry. Now backed by MotorOne Group with insurance companies as major clients, he and his team are considered experts in this field, having built a team of highly skilled technicians which now mans a fleet of 15 mobile vans, with each one equipped with sophisticated ADAS calibration systems.

With a blueprint expansion plan and MotorOne’s backing, the business has now expanded to Brisbane with a roadmap on the drawing board to move into New South Wales and Tasmania during 2025.
MotorOne also identified the overarching market need for ADAS calibration as a significant growth opportunity given the increasing number of ADAS-equipped vehicles entering the Australian market year on year and the gap in the required skillset at current repairers.
As such, Autogroup Solutions was an instant fit with MotorOne’s growing Autobody panel shop network that’s already established throughout the eastern seaboard and already handling a significant portion of calibration work for customers, who are primarily major insurers.
Unquestionably, vehicle repairs post accidents are becoming more and more complex and especially challenging for smaller repairers who may not have all of the required equipment to undertake repairs in this specialist field.
Gonzalo explained that more and more service technicians are struggling to diagnose and resolve these issues, leading to time wasting and increased costs at the dealership level and for repair shops.
“The complexity of ADAS systems requires specialised equipment, which can cost around $100,000,” Gonzalo said.
“There is significant importance on getting this right, given so many system issues that affect driver safety are linked to the failure to recalibrate systems after the panel repair process.
“ADAS calibration services typically range from $350 to $500 per vehicle and involve setting up laser sensors on a level floor to ensure proper alignment, followed by a test drive to verify the vehicle’s computer systems are correctly adjusted.
“In more complex cases, vehicles are taken to one of our workshops, where advanced diagnostic tools and connections to OEM systems enable technicians to access calibration codes and perform more detailed checks”.

The demand for these recalibrations is only growing and according to Gonzalo, 85 percent of new vehicles now feature technologies like lane-keeping assist, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control.
By 2025, that number is expected to be closer to 98 percent, notes Gonzalo, who says this illustrates that repairing post-accident what is now close to 90 percent of vehicles on the road requires significant expertise, as even small misalignments during repairs can lead to ADAS malfunctions.
As the automotive industry continues to integrate more advanced technologies, the importance of proper ADAS calibration will only increase, with businesses like Autogroup Solutions playing a key role in ensuring vehicle safety and functionality.
Examples of these technologies include Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Emergency Braking Systems (AEB), Automatic Navigational Systems, Blind Spot Detection, Collision Avoidance Systems, Driver Drowsiness Detection, Electric Vehicle Warning Systems, Forward Collision Warnings, Lane Departure Warnings, Night Detection Devices, Parking Assistance Technology, Pedestrian Presence Warnings, Rain Sensors, Smart Speed Adaptation, Surround-View Systems, Tyre Pressure Monitoring and Traffic Sign Recognition.
Each of these complex computerised functions, which are unique to each OEM, can be damaged in an accident and require specialist expertise to properly diagnose and perform ADAS calibrations to reset and fine-tune settings.

When comparing Autogroup Solutions to other calibration business’, Gonzalo says the difference fundamentally comes down to two things.
“Firstly, our offering around ‘Remote Support,’ which essentially is a vehicle diagnostic system that leverages off advanced OEM hardware and software to connect vehicles via a cellular network (or the internet),” Gonzalo explains.
“This allows Autogroup Solutions to efficiently access and analyse diagnostic data from anywhere in Australia, providing swift and accurate solutions without the need for an on-site visit. This of course compliments our fixed site and mobile option.
“Secondly, we offer an ‘EV Battery Health Check.’ Experts estimate that the average EV battery ‘could last’ for around 300,000 kilometres, but some manufacturers promise a much longer lifespan.
“For example, it is said that Tesla claims to be close to developing a battery that can last for a million miles.
“Regardless, what’s important here is a consumer’s trust in having an accurate and credible battery health check which is of paramount importance, specifically in the case of buyers looking for reliable performance records when considering purchasing a pre-owned EV vehicle.
“Included in the testing procedure is a comparison of kilometres driven to estimated range, a battery discharge test (also known as capacity or load testing) and checks on voltage reading.
“On completion, Autogroup Solutions issue a certified and comprehensive written report, giving customers peace of mind they’re not purchasing a vehicle with severe limitations on battery end-of-life.
“The bottom line is: at Autogroup Solutions, we are very much open for business. With our fixed sites, mobile service or on occasion, remote calibration services, we are experts in this field.”

To learn more about Autogroup Solutions, visit www.autogroupsolutions.com.au