Business 18 www.aftermarketonline.net NOVEMBER 2024 Standing up for the ‘right to repair’ Auto sector firms have come together in a bid to forge a partnership with the new labour government that keeps aftermarket businesses on the road Business leaders across the UK have united to call on the new government to work closely with the automotive aftermarket and to offer for a package of tax cuts and other investment to breathe new life into the sector. A group of the aftermarket’s leading suppliers, repairers and trade bodies has co-signed a list of ‘policy asks’ urging the transport secretary to ramp up industry backing. The ‘Fighting for the Right to Repair’ letter, sent by LKQ UK & Ireland to Louise Haigh, was prepared in partnership with automotive communications consultancy Citypress. The letter was co-signed by Halfords, Kwik Fit, the AA, RAC, Micheldever Tyre Services, Formula One Autocentres, ATS Euromaster, Hella, ZF, TMD Friction, Schaffler, the IMI and the IAAF. In the document, LKQ UK & Ireland CEO Kevan Wooden outlined what he said was the critical contribution of the automotive aftermarket to the UK’s social and economic infrastructure, and of independent repairers in particular in ensuring safe and roadworthy transport is accessible to all. Wooden said: “Significant challenges persist that threaten the independent aftermarket and risk creating a monopoly for the vehicle manufacturers. And they have real implications for the economy, and for consumer choice and affordability. ‘New tone’ “The Department for Transport has an important part to play in resolving these challenges and ensuring the independent sector can continue to compete and thrive.” Five key areas of focus are outlined by the signatories “to engage with government and set a new tone for its relationship with our sector”. LKQ and Citypress consulted the IAAF and their other partners to agree and prioritise the five key requests to support the UK aftermarket’s long-term vitality and viability. Specific to the independent workshop — and critical to protecting consumer choice — was a call to align vehicle type approval and motor vehicle block exemption regulations. The letter said this can eliminate the potential for vehicle manufacturers to restrict access to in-vehicle data, information and other essential inputs that are required to diagnose, service or repair a vehicle, particularly in the context of advanced driver assistance systems. The industry leaders said a wider regulatory framework was needed to tackle access to data and cybersecurity, which is “not dissimilar to the single, mandated allmanufacturer SERMI
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