We have heard of automakers cobbling collectively automobiles with {hardware} store-grade wooden earlier than, however it is a new one. Meet Honda’s latest software for sellers to service the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX SUVs: a pair of 4x4x8 wood posts.
Sure, you learn that appropriately. Honda is sending sellers a pair of wood posts, very similar to what will be discovered at any huge field ironmongery shop, as a software to work on its new EVs. This identical software has discovered its technique to Reddit’s /r/JustRolledIntoTheShop the place the poster claims that Honda’s new “particular software” is “actually two 8-foot 4x4s with an official Honda half quantity painted on.”
That half quantity would possibly appear like it reads “Ozark Kazoo” (and that is completely what I will name 4×4 posts now), but it surely’s truly: “07AAK-KHZA100.” Honda calls this half a Dunnage IPU Assist, and in accordance with the Device Launch discover affixed to the wooden, its particular use is to assist elevate EV batteries, presumably to forestall harm by offering a buffer (or assist) between the elevate and the battery pack.
Dunnage, IPU Assist was despatched to your dealership as a required particular service software. This software will for use (sic) at the side of 07-EL-53000 EV Battery Assist Fixture and 07-EL-53080 HV battery lifting system to facilitate the substitute of the Propulsion Battery.
EL-53080 and EL-53000 as referenced above are two Common Motors components. The primary is called an “electrical car service cart,” a wheeled cart to carry the EV battery when faraway from the car, and the second is a “excessive voltage battery lifting adapter” which is for use with a Forklift to maneuver the EV batteries. On condition that the Honda Prologue and Acura ZDX are each GM Ultium-powered automobiles, these components all seem to tie in collectively.
A fast search reveals one vendor in Florida that may promote you this identical software—and its MSRP is an astronomical $179.48. For comparability, a single pressure-treated 4x4x8 publish at Dwelling Depot prices $10.68.
The excellent news, although, is that delivery from Florida to Pennsylvania is a mere $9.77. What a steal.
So if one might simply run to Dwelling Depot and seize these components, why does Honda ship them to their sellers? For starters, it is clear that Honda is aware of the best way to service its automobiles. Hell, the vendor mannequin is constructed round doing precisely that, full with directions from the automaker. Having the fitting instruments to do the job is vital, and we’re guessing that no tech needs to place their instruments away, degrease, and run to the ironmongery shop to get a big software.
One commenter additionally notes Honda and different sellers not simply to arrange the techs doing the work, but additionally to cowl themselves.
“Producers do that in order that means they cowl themselves for required instruments for repairs and preserve the times down within the store to a minimal,” writes consumer frank13131313. “Previously, I’ve seen some particular OEM instruments despatched to us that have been essentially the most ridiculous issues ever, was shipped a Phillips head screwdriver for a headlamp adjustment software recall, oil filter wrench as a number of the automotive off meeting line had unfastened filters, zip ties, butel tape, and so on…”
On the flip aspect, different commenters say that some OEMs instruct sellers that some components of restore (like Loctite or rivets) are to be obtained regionally. It isn’t clear which is the case right here.
There are additionally a couple of attention-grabbing factors from commenters who declare to be dealership workers over the slew of instruments despatched to service Honda’s new EVs. Some state that the pile of specialised instruments takes up a whole small service bay. Others expressed their concern over the reported $30,000 dealership funding into the instruments required by Acura and Honda as a way to service their Ultium-powered automobiles regardless of the partnership being formally axed.
So, there you might have it, of us. For those who occur to seek out your self servicing your new Prologue or ZDX outdoors of guarantee sooner or later, otherwise you simply need some candy Honda-branded wood posts on your subsequent woodworking venture, you’ll want to purchase a pair of real set of Ozark Kazoos—I imply, Dunnage IPU Helps.