December 2020

The crash test season started with a premiere in form of the Aiways U5 vehicle model. Aiways is the first Chinese manufacturer to undergo an initial classification procedure in Germany for type class determination on the basis of the RCAR crash tests. Overall, the focus of vehicle crashes was even more on electrically powered vehicles than in the previous year.

In the field of consulting and crash tests, the AZT has positioned itself very successfully, especially with a number of new market participants. The orders will continue in the coming year as well as the support of a number of units of the Allianz.

With regard to low speed crash performance, the AZT experts offer consulting as well as test services up to the hosting of presentations for initial classification. A particular challenge in 2020 has occurred by the fact that no face-to-face events have been possible. However, it was possible to establish a format that allowed the client to "accompany" the vehicles during the tests without being physically present and to subsequently perform damage assessment on the test vehicles.

Since the introduction of automated emergency braking (AEB) systems the non-destructive testing of such systems has a great impact. These systems, initially developed for the front end, are now established on the market and help to reduce the frequency of accidents. The effects and optimization potentials for assistance systems have also been further investigated in 2020 by the accident research department of the AZT with bachelor's and master's theses based on real damage cases.

One of the findings from such studies is that insurers now make a large - and increasing - proportion of their comprehensive and motor liability payments for damage that occurs during parking and maneuvering. Besides the studies the AZT therefore continued to work actively in the international RCAR working group P-Safe on the further development of test standards for new emergency braking systems that also detect obstacles to the side or rear and brake automatically. Such tests require a high level of metrological effort and are therefore very complex.

In the field of training, public relations and administration, this year 2020 was all about digitalization.

The training program was completely converted to online training at very short notice due to corona and we succeeded in implementing 41 training topics spread over 49 training days, reaching over 400 participants. Also the international AZT event with a long tradition, the "AZT Summit" could be held virtually in a shorter version and the international know-how exchange was guaranteed also in the corona year.

The administrative tasks of the AZT were restructured and also in this area various processes were digitalized. Above all, the corona-related additional requirements were handled in the best possible way.

The annual highlight of public relations, the Allianz Motor Day, also took place virtually this year and for the first time internationally as the "Allianz Motor Day" in English.

In 2020 a medium-term project around classic cars started at the AZT. Here we are dealing in detail with two cars from the 1970s. All aspects of these vehicles will be considered, one vehicle will remain in its original condition, the other will be professionally restored. All this is conveyed to Allianz colleagues in the course of training sessions held by the claims field service.

In the area of repair technology and painting, various projects were worked on and also widely communicated in the industry. These include, among others, a resolution on the topic of driver assistance systems in vehicle repair, clarifications and updates on the AZT paint calculation system, and an investigation of corona-related additional expenses in vehicle disinfection together with the ZKF and IFL.