ACCC welcomes new law on motor vehicle service and repair information

These changes adopt recommendations from the ACCC’s new car retailing industry market study

Legislative changes will increase competition and choice for consumers about where they have their cars serviced and repaired. The Competition and Consumer Amendment (Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme) Bill 2021, which passed Parliament in late June, amends the Competition and Consumer Act to establish a mandatory scheme to promote competition in the Australian automotive servicing sector. It requires motor vehicle service and repair information to be made available for purchase by Australian repairers at a fair market price. “Under the scheme, independent Australian motor vehicle repairers will have fair access to the information needed to service and repair cars, such as software updates to connect a new spare part with a car, or information and codes for computerised systems from the car manufacturer,” ACCC Chair, Rod Sims, said. “This enables motorists to shop around for the repairer that offers the best price, service and convenience, knowing they will all have access to the information needed to complete the servicing or repair. “Previously, only car manufacturers and their affiliated repairers could be confident of getting access to important service and repair information, preventing many independent repairers from competing fairly for car servicing and repair work. This created additional costs for consumers, as well as inconvenience and delays,” Rod said. “We believe the scheme provides a much fairer opportunity for independent Australian motor vehicle repairers to compete and will improve outcomes for consumers, and we welcome this important reform being passed by the Parliament.” The ACCC’s 2017 new car retailing industry market study found that independent repairers experienced continued problems accessing information needed to repair and service new cars. This was despite a voluntary commitment made by car manufacturers in 2014 to provide independent repairers with the same information provided to authorised dealers. The ACCC recommended introducing a mandatory scheme requiring car manufacturers to share the information needed to repair and service cars with independent repairers. The study found problems with the breadth, depth and timeliness of the service and repair information offered by car manufacturers to independent repairers, including a lack of transparency and consistency across manufacturers about safety and security information. “These reforms will ensure consumers benefit from competitive aftermarkets and by having a choice of providers to repair and service cars,” Rod said. The ACCC will have a broad oversight and enforcement role, while day-to-day operations will be the responsibility of a new industry-led body called the Scheme Adviser. The Scheme Adviser will be responsible for dispute resolution, sharing information about the scheme online, and providing reports about the operation of the scheme. The ACCC has established a dedicated team to ensure the industry has a clear understanding of the ACCC’s role and functions and will closely monitor the implementation of and compliance with the scheme. Penalties apply for failure to comply with the main obligations of the scheme, and the ACCC will have a number of enforcement tools available ranging from infringement notices to commencing legal proceedings in the Federal Court alleging that individuals or companies have breached the Act. Guidance to assist industry understand the ACCC’s compliance and enforcement approach will be released soon. The Motor Vehicle Service and Repair Information Sharing Scheme is scheduled to come into effect on 1 July 2022. For more information visit www.accc.gov.au

NEW NATIONAL TRAINING FACILITY OPENED IN BRISBANE

This facility promises to be an important product training resource

BAPCOR, Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, has announced the opening of a National Training Facility in Brisbane. This product training resource is available for the exclusive use of Precision Automotive Equipment and Burson Auto Parts team members, customers and suppliers. It will allow BAPCOR Automotive team members to fully familiarise themselves with all of the latest workshop equipment, safety features, operations, and more. The potential for training opportunities at this facility is significant. It will provide a hands-on training opportunity for the sales teams, customers, and technicians that will take delivery of the equipment products. Trade customers who wish to observe the workshop products in full operation will also be welcomed to this facility. “As automotive diagnostics and general workshop equipment continues to technologically evolve, detailed product training becomes much more important. It ensures that our team members and customers gain a strong understanding of the premium quality equipment products that we offer,” Precision Automotive Equipment General Manager, Peter Hewitt, said. “We look forward to conducting many training sessions in our new training facility and to welcoming our suppliers to also make use of this excellent training resource.” BAPCOR has announced that the facility includes two fully equipped vehicle service bays with the latest Hunter Engineering and Rotary Lift products, which are exclusive to Precision Automotive Equipment. The company plans to add additional products over time as they are introduced to its equipment range. There is also a training room dedicated to the latest in vehicle diagnostics equipment. Additionally, there’s a formal seated training room complete with audio visual equipment. The National Training Facility is located in Brisbane near the airport and the city. BAPCOR states that this makes it an ideal location for fly in and fly out training sessions while also being accessible to Precision Automotive Equipment’s many Queensland based customers. To find out more about the new Precision Automotive Equipment National Training Facility and to arrange specific product training opportunities, contact Precision Automotive Equipment by calling 1300 366 252.