Info means life for independents

‘The independent garage sector will survive and thrive, so long as vehicle manufacturers live up to their obligations as laid out in the Block Exemption Review 2002,’ said Ray Holloway, director of independent membership for the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMIF), commenting on the European Commission’s recent decision on technical information provision.

The Block Exemption Review (BER) 2002 obliged all manufacturers to provide necessary technical information to repairers that would assist in the efficient, safe and cost effective repair of motor vehicles.

According to Holloway, the European Commission’s recent announcement on BER non-compliance by DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat, and the resulting decision that requires them to provide information will help independents: ‘We fully endorsed the requirements of the BER originally, and the EC decision backs this position.’

‘We hope that the Commission now follows up, and ensures that the practices of all vehicle manufacturers scrutinised carefully so BER 2010 gives the consumer freedom of choice for service and repair of their vehicle. In other words, this inquiry cannot be a one-off otherwise the effort will have been wasted and consumers will be disadvantaged.’

He adds: ‘Historically, independent repairers and franchised dealers have been partners in the retail motor sector, working together to provide consumers with a broad level of choice. The decision should not have been necessary, but should enable this partnership to continue.