RMIF criticises European Commission over block exemption clampdown

Following its four-year anti-trust enquiry the EC last week rapped DaimlerChrysler, Toyota, General Motors and Fiat for withholding technical information vital for car repairs from non-franchised garages. Such practices infringe EC Treaty rules on restrictive business practices, and the commission adopted four decisions that legally bind the carmakers to provide the information to all independent garages in the EU.

Ray Holloway, RMIF's director of independent membership, said that manufacturers had often diverted repairers to their dealer networks to validate correct fitting of OE parts. The EC is concerned such practices could harm consumers by forcing independent repairers from the markets. Additionally, it said if repairs were carried out without the right technical information, this could result in vehicles being driven in an unsafe condition, and add to air pollution and wasted fuel.

The Commission said studies showed that some franchised dealers charge up to 120 per cent higher than independent workshops in the UK. "Consumers benefit from competition between repairers, through lower labour charges and cheaper spare parts,” said competition commissioner Neelie Kroes. “These decisions provide a concrete and timely solution to the problems faced by independent repairers, who might lose their ability to compete without access to the relevant technical information". Holloway added: “We hope the EC now follows up on this, and ensures that the practices of all manufacturers are scrutinised carefully so BER block exemption regulation 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.”