RCAR ANNUAL CONFERENCE

The RCAR Annual Conference is the principal annual meeting of RCAR and a unique opportunity for representatives of RCAR member organisations to meet in person, exchange knowledge and strengthen international cooperation.

The Annual Conference is exclusively for RCAR Members. It brings together experts and decision-makers from RCAR’s member organisations from around the world to share the latest developments, research findings and practical experience in vehicle repair, automotive technology and claims-related topics.

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A tradition since 1971

The RCAR Annual Conference has been held every year since 1971, reflecting more than five decades of continuous international cooperation within RCAR.

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Each year, the conference is hosted and organised by one of RCAR’s member companies, giving members the opportunity to experience the host organisation’s country, facilities, research activities and particular areas of expertise. This rotating host model is an important part of RCAR’s identity and provides a different perspective on automotive research and repair from year to year.

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Knowledge exchange and collaboration

The conference programme focuses on topics of strategic and practical importance to RCAR members. Depending on current developments in the automotive industry and the priorities of the membership, key themes include:

• Vehicle repairability, estimating and repair methods

• Electric vehicles and high-voltage systems

• Battery technology, safety and repair

• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and automated driving

• Road safety and accident research

• Vehicle damageability and crash testing

• New materials, lightweight construction technologies

• Theft, cybersecurity and connected vehicles

• Sustainability, circularity, recycling and the use of reused parts

• Emerging technologies and their implications for vehicle repair and insurance

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Member organisations contribute to the programme by presenting their own research, projects and experiences. The resulting exchange of knowledge and direct discussion between experts are among the defining features of the RCAR Annual Conference.

 

Looking ahead

The 2026 RCAR Annual Conference takes place in Mexico City at the end of September / beginning of October 2026 and is hosted and organised by CESVI Mexico.

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The 2027 RCAR Annual Conference will take place in Munich, Germany, hosted and organised by the Allianz Center for Technology (AZT).

Through its annual conference, RCAR continues its long-standing tradition of bringing together international experts to share knowledge, identify emerging challenges and advance cooperation in the field of automotive repair research.