Capital Equipment News August 2021

UD Trucks Southern Africa has plans in place to accommodate training requests from ISPs at pricing similar to that paid by its dealers.

of matching quality from authorised or independent parts suppliers. In addition, independent repairers should have access to the vehicle manufacturers’ original parts to allow them to maintain and repair vehicles properly and to compete with the authorised repairer, and vehicle owners have the right to use any repair shop for non-warranty work, during the warranty period. According to the Competition Commission document, the guidelines’ objectives include the lowering of barriers to entry and to ensure that a greater number of firms owned by historically disadvantaged individuals (HDIs) and SMEs have an opportunity to undertake service, maintenance and repair work of vehicles within the period covered by the vehicle’s warranty. The guidelines are also designed to increase transparency and facilitate end- user choice on the service, maintenance and repairs of motor vehicles, and to increase user choice and facilitate competition in the markets for spare parts

purchase one at all.” Linked to this provision is the fact that manufacturers are no longer permitted to void warranties where users elect to use independent service providers during the warranty period. “Lastly,” says Elliott, “non-original spare parts are permitted to be used in vehicles, even within the warranty period, further adding to the cost saving to the end-user.” Service and repair under warranty The Competition Commission’s guidelines also include “principles” for the service, maintenance and repairs of motor vehicles under warranty. According to these, OEMs shall “recognise and not obstruct” users’ choice to seek service, maintenance and mechanical repair work for their vehicles at service providers of their choice, regardless of whether these service providers are approved dealers or independent service providers. Where an end-user chooses to use an

and value-added products. The guidelines are to be achieved by encouraging stakeholders to adopt measures that widen the pool of approved dealers and motor body repairers; by promoting entry to HDIs as approved dealers, and to ensure that independent service providers can undertake in-warranty service, maintenance and repair work, among others. Customer benefits Elliott says the end-user now has more choice when it comes to servicing and repairing their vehicles, which in turn will result in cost savings. “Manufacturers are no longer permitted to sell new vehicles with embedded service plans. They must separate the price of the vehicle from the price of the service plan. This means that the end-user can ascertain what the actual price of the service plan is and assess whether it is worth purchasing. “They are also able to shop around and either purchase a service plan from another service provider or choose not to

The Right to Repair campaign conducts

The Competition Commission’s guidelines are based on “anti- competitive concerns in the automotive aftermarket industry”

OEMs shall recognise and not obstruct users’ choice to seek service, maintenance and mechanical repair work at service providers of their choice

Under-warranty body repairs for end-users with insurance cover shall be undertaken by approved motor-body repairers allocated to them by an insurer

lobbying and advocacy work in support of the rights of the end-user and the ISP

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