Frankfurt, 11 September. Thirty associations representing the multi-brand vehicle aftermarket in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, South Africa, the USA, and from almost twenty European countries, as well as European associations representing their sectors at European Union’s level, have gathered in Frankfurt during Automechanika 2024, for the Right to Repair Global meeting (R2RG).
Over the years, the R2RG meeting has increasingly become a crucial platform for dialogue and collaboration among the associations representing the multi-brand automotive aftermarket worldwide. More than just a gathering, this forum actively shapes the future of the industry. A central focus includes addressing common challenges, particularly those arising from unclear practices by vehicle manufacturers.
A significant challenge facing repairers, parts distributors, and suppliers is the need to maintain unrestricted access to Repair and Maintenance Information (RMI), technical information, and the freedom to use tools and spare parts. With the advent of digitalisation and the emergence of software-defined vehicle, new concerns have arisen, including access to in-vehicle generated data, the vehicle’s operational functions and resources, the growing absence of repair information for electric vehicle batteries, and the increasing issue of parts captivity.
In this context, vehicle manufacturers gain a competitive advantage by controlling the data generated by vehicles. This control impacts the volume and quality of information available to independent service providers, ultimately limiting digital opportunities for the businesses and restricting the freedom of choice for the consumers.
The participants agreed on the urgent need for a fair playing and robust legislative backing to address these challenges across various regions of the world. Effective enforcement measures are essential to ensure that vehicle manufacturers adhere more closely to automotive regulations.
Pierre Thibaudat, Director General, Automotive Data Publishers’ Association (ADPA), stated:
“Worldwide, consumers and businesses alike are facing the same challenges to fair competition in the automotive aftermarket, endangering the safety, the sustainability and the affordability of road mobility. A holistic approach and the exchange of good practices enabled by the Right to Repair Global Meeting are paramount to making sure that these legislative challenges transform into business opportunities benefiting society at large.”
