As the top comments currently note, the panels are still stamped metal so body work will still need to be done in the event of a non-major collision. The differ

As the top comments currently note, the panels are still stamped metal so body work will still need to be done in the event of a non-major collision. The difference is that most body parts they're consolidating are already parts you would never repair anyways, having to replace one would likely mean way more of a cost in man hours and parts than the car's worth, ie. a write-off regardless of this new manufacturing process or not.