There's no denying the rise of telematics in today's vehicles. Too many parties have a stake in this growing segment for automotive repairers to ignore it. "Telematics will be a revolution, " says Pietro Berardi, CEO of Magneti Marelli, Global Aftermarket. "Vehicle connectivity for the future is a very big issue." Exhibiting at this year's Autopromotec show in Bologna, Italy, Magneti Marelli has developed a wide array of telematics products (for the OEMs as well as the after-market) to address the growing needs. It wasn't that long ago independent shops considered a similar innovation to be "way off in the future." The Honda Insight first appeared in the U.S. in 1999, followed closely by the Toyota Prius. At the time, hybrid vehicle repairs were exclusive to dealerships, but as warranties expired and consumers sought less expensive repair options, technicians had to adapt. Today, hybrid training is vital.
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