Report into data access published

19 December 2014  

The Ricardo Study, a comprehensive report into the current difficulties faced by the independent aftermarket surrounding data access, has been published.

With the debate over the access to repair and maintenance information (RMI) set to continue into 2015, the analysis focuses on the entire aftermarket, from workshops to factors, data publishers and tool manufacturers.

Lobbying group FIGIEFA has welcomed the report and has highlighted its key areas that will help to establish a level playing field between all members of the automotive industry. The report includes a part dedicated to the identification of the issues affecting independent operators’ competitiveness, followed by a section containing concrete recommendations on a revised EU framework Regulation. In addition, the Ricardo-AEA report describes in a balanced manner the investments in RMI websites and efforts already made by the OEMs to comply with the Euro 5 Regulation.

Regarding independent repairers, the necessity of relying on third-party providers in order to obtain access to RMI has been highlighted, together with the necessity that multi-brand tools and services (diagnostics, catalogues, trainings etc.) remain economically viable solutions. An explicit reference to the need of ensuring a better level playing field for all independent market operators – via equal access to RMI – is a positive note in this respect.

Informal barriers such as problems with the timeliness and the completeness of the information have been identified as obstacles for many independent operators. The report also highlights a number of recommendations including better guidelines from the EU Commission and better enforcement of anyone found to be uncooperative in data supply.