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Right to Repair SA attends Global Right to Repair meeting

Sep 17, 2024 Right to Repair South Africa, Automechanika Frankfurt, Kate Elliott, Global Right to Repair Meeting


Right to Repair SA attends Global Right to Repair meeting

 

Representatives from Right to Repair South Africa were in Frankfurt last week to attend the Global Right to Repair Meeting held during Automechanika 2024. Kate Elliott, CEO of Right to Repair SA, says the meeting was attended by thirty associations representing the multi-brand vehicle aftermarket in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, India, South Africa and the USA, with representation from almost twenty European countries, as well as European associations representing their sectors at Brussels level.

 

The message from participants was very clear that globally there is an urgent need for a fair and level playing and legislative backing addressing the problems faced in the different regions of the world. “This, coupled with a robust enforcement system, is crucial to oblige vehicle manufacturers to respect more diligently the automotive laws,” they agreed.

 

Over the years, the R2R global meeting has evolved into a crucial platform for the exchange of ideas and opportunities among the associations representing the multi-brand Automotive Aftermarket worldwide. The meeting is not just a gathering, but a forum where the future of the industry is shaped. Discussing common challenges, often stemming from ambiguous behaviour by car manufacturers, has been a key element of this group.

 

One of the common issues for independent repairers, parts distributors and suppliers is still maintaining unrestricted access to Repair and Maintenance Information (RMI), to technical information, and having the freedom to use tools and spare parts. Moreover, with the advent of digitalisation and the ‘software-defined vehicle’, the challenge now involves how to access the in-vehicle generated data, the functions and resources of the vehicle, the growing issue of missing repair information for repairing batteries of electric vehicles, and the increasing parts captivity.

 

In this context, vehicle manufacturers can benefit from the competitive advantage to have control of the data generated by the vehicle which allow them to control the volume and quality of the data they make available to independent service providers, restricting the digital opportunities for the businesses and the freedom of choice for the consumers.

 

Elliott concluded, “With car brands extending their reach to all corners of the globe, it is not surprising that many territories have experienced the same OEM tactics to corner the automotive aftermarket. The coming together of the global Right to Repair community has been a vital tool for our organisation to fight for the Right to Repair in South Africa.”

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