Row over industry code

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (FCAI) and Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) say they appear to be the only organisations making progress to ensure there is a process for independent repairers to access repair information. The Commonwealth Consumer Affairs Advisory Council (CCAAC) wanted such an outcome developed in a reasonable period of time after a review in 2012 found there appears to be no evidence of systemic consumer detriment regarding the sharing of service and repair information in the automotive industry. The FCAI has now released a voluntary code on access to service and repair information, training and the supply of quality parts. The code is supported by the AADA, which represents motor dealers. “While developing codes, the FCAI and AADA have worked with other industry associations to develop an overarching principles agreement, which we are still committed to finalising,” says FCAI chief executive Tony Weber. “We understood the AAA, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association [AAAA] and Australian Motor Industry Federation [AMIF] were consolidating all comments, including the FCAI’s and AADA’s, on the proposed wording for the agreement, to be signed by the FCAI, AAAA, AADA, AMIF and AAA. “In addition to the agreement, it’s anticipated each party will release its own code to display commitment to ensuring consumer interests are foremost. We are eager to see these drafts. “Our commitment still stands and was demonstrated by the release of our code. We encourage other associations to follow the FCAI’s lead in a timely manner as it’s now 23 months since the release of the CCAAC’s review. We question why there’s a delay from other associations.” The FCAI committed to the government to release its voluntary code to access to service and repair information for vehicles before the end of August 2014. Prior to releasing it, the FCAI says it contacted all parties involved in developing the agreement to reassure them of its commitment to the process. Weber adds: “Given it’s in the hands of other associations to respond to the FCAI wording, we are perplexed the AAAA appears to be abandoning the process.” Ian Field, chairman of the AADA add: “We will meet in November to ratify our code. The AADA, like the FCAI, understood that consolidation of comments on the latest agreement was in the hands of industry associations other than the FCAI. “We are also disappointed the AAAA seems to have walked away from the process, which up until then had been leading to greater understanding across all associations of the technical matters involved.” The Victorian Automobile Chamber of Commerce (VACC) has offered to make its extensive repair information library available to all independent repairers in Australia. There is a small cost for non-VACC members. Field says the call centre currently answers 98 per cent of received technical inquiries. “It’s difficult to understand what repair information the AAAA wants that isn’t readily available at a small cost or provided as part of being a VACC member.” The FCAI’s code aims to ensure the service and repair of motor vehicles is carried out in a way that best protects consumers’ interests. To assist in achieving this, the guidelines ensure independent repairers will be aware of the process to access service and repair information, and provide a methodology to seek information where it appears unavailable.