Car companies face showdown with government, AAAA

Aftermarket repairers have long argued that they can provide the same level of vehicle servicing as factory-appointed dealers — often for less cost.

But in practice aftermarket servicing can't always meet the same standard as servicing from a factory-approved workshop. Aftermarket repairers claim to be hamstrung by a lack of information sharing by the car companies, who hold a vicarious vested interest in the profitability of their dealer networks.

Now, the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Limited (AAAA), representing the repairers, has announced its full support for an inquiry launched by the federal government. The AAAA has been at the forefront of this issue since April 2009, when it launched a campaign, named 'AAAA Choice of Repairer'.

In response to the announcement that the Parliamentary Secretary Assisting the Treasurer on Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, David Bradbury, had ordered the inquiry, the AAAA issued a press release. And the Assocation's Executive Director, Stuart Charity, weighed in with his thoughts in the release.

"This inquiry signals the Federal Government's acknowledgement that withholding critical data required to work with the sophisticated technologies being built into the next generation of vehicles is a consumer rights issue," Charity was quoted as saying.

"The question has become: 'Who owns the vehicle - the owner, or the manufacturer and dealer?'. Clearly, owners have the right to have their vehicles serviced and repaired with fit for the purpose accessories, parts and systems by any qualified technician."

In essence, according to the Assocation, aftermarket service businesses are frequently unable to obtain the relevant servicing data from car companies and their dealers to ensure vehicles are serviced correctly. The data can come in the form of technical manuals, update bulletins, silent recall information and software patches. Even special tools are withheld.

Aftermarket service businesses aren't limited to companies the likes of Ultratune, they can also include panel beaters and spray painters, for instance, who need to know about special paints and materials used in the construction of new cars entering the market.

The Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (CCAAC) will conduct the inquiry and will call for submissions by interested parties prior to delivering a recommendation to the federal government. According to the AAAA, the CCAAC inquiry will conclude before the end of the year.

"While this is only the start of the process from the Government perspective, it is a necessary step prior to the Government taking any action - regulatory, legislative, or otherwise - and is a positive step for vehicle owners and the automotive aftermarket that services over 65 per cent of the vehicles on Australian roads," said Charity.

"We know authorised dealers must pay the manufacturers for the information, special equipment and tools required to service and repair their vehicles," he said.

"All we are seeking is a level playing field. Independent aftermarket operators expect to pay to get the data they need on the same terms as the dealerships. We are not demanding the release of the vehicle makers' intellectual property. We require exactly the same information they currently make available to their dealers.

"The Choice of Repairer concept has long been embedded in the minds of Australian vehicle owners. Both regional and metropolitan areas have a strong tradition of choosing aftermarket parts and small family owned workshops.

"The Choice of Repairer campaign is important to the future of thousands of aftermarket parts suppliers employing over 30,000 people, and the estimated 15,000 independent aftermarket workshops across Australia employing hundreds of thousands more."

The problem of obtaining servicing data from car companies and their representative dealers is not limited to Australia, but more progress is being made in Europe and North America than here — through 'Right to Repair' campaigns.

Read the latest Carsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at carsales' mobile site...