David Blackhall

THE Australian Automotive Dealer Association (AADA) voiced its opposition to regulatory intervention in the provision of service and repair information at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission’s (ACCC) New Car Retailing Market Study roundtable held earlier this week.

AADA CEO David Blackhall said there was no need for a mandatory solution, with little evidence to suggest the current Agreement on Access to Service and Repair Information was not working.

“The case for Government intervention is weak as independent repairers currently source repair and service information from a variety of sources,” Mr Blackhall said.

“Car dealers are required to make significant investments in training and tooling. Any attempt to regulate should be framed in the context of creating a level playing field between franchised dealers and independent repairers,” he said.

The AADA offered to work with the ACCC in clarifying the interaction between Australian Consumer Law, manufacturers’ warranties and dealers’ responsibilities.

“We look forward to working with the ACCC on issues around consumer guarantees and warranties, including improved guidance for consumers on the ACL and clear definitions around proposed concepts such as ‘short period of time’ and ‘major and minor failures,’ Mr Blackhall said.

In what seems to have be an increasingly productive professional relationship in recent times, the AADA congratulated the ACCC for providing ongoing consultation opportunities and said it looked forward to further engagement as the Commission prepared to finalise its report.

By Daniel Cotterill