Please Read - Important !!!!!- Right to Repair Campaign

[wicked1]

Hi Guys and Girls,

This is an important and hopefully supported discussion about the future of access to technical information and freedom of choice.

At present there is a law called, block exemption, which is designed to make all car manufacturers offer, even for a charge, any one access to technical information. This law will stop in 2010, meaning the manufacturer does not have to give any assistance to anyone from this date.

From my point of view it restricts what i can find and help clients, however, it affects everybody. As an enthusiast to the marque, the implications means your pride and joy will only be able to be repaired by a main dealer. They will be only ones who have the access to the necessary information.

What this also does is reduce your freedom of choice of taking your car where you choose, getting advice on current models, etc. Also, the cost of motoring will rise because the dealers are not exactly cheap.

I urge everyone to go to a website called R2RC, which stands for "Right to Repair Campaign," it is there to petition against this law. Log your details as necessary against this possibly crazy regulation change. Get friends, family and any clients you have to also register. You can choose to stay informed if you so wish.

I hope that everybody supports this website.

May i also state i have nothing to do with website, however, the implications could be catastrophic for the independant specialists, such as mine.

Regards

Mat

[Steve_M]

Can't see this going ahead. it's basically a monopoly and dealer can charge whatever they want. That won't be allowed to happen.
It's like saying only McDonalds can make hamburgers.

[kds keltec]

This is going ahead and i have had some meetings with parts suppliers this year over this subject!!!!

It is going to have a massive effect to all motorists!!!

I currently carry out repairs to those clued up customers who understand that they dont have to go to sealers sorry dealers in the warranty period!

Which is all going to change

It could effect technical information given out as well as parts suppliers in a big way too!!!

It is a really good idea to log on and sign up against it!!
The implacations after 2010 could be bad for all!!!!

just thought it might be a good idea to move or start this topic under general gassing if it has not already been done

Edited by kds keltec on Saturday 1st November 19:16

[MitchT]

More expensive repairs = more VAT paid on repairs. The only surprise is that it's taken this long for tax-fetishist Brown to come up with such a scheme.

[MitchT]

Okay, I've been thinking about this some more...

Firstly, if this happens in 2010, then surely information pertaining to all cars that are already out there will already be in circulation and as such it will only be cars launched after 2010 which will be affected. Therefore, prices for used pre-2010 cars will firm-up.

Secondly, any manufacturer that does not take up the option of preventing technical data for its vehicles from existing outside of the main dealer network is going to see its vehicles enjoy stronger residuals as people will be less deterred from buying them used - Stronger residuals will make the cars more attractive to buy new. Manufacturers who prevent the technical data from existing outside of the main dealer network will experience the opposite and will quickly have to change their policy to prevent customers migrating towards manufacturers who do allow the information to remain in the public domain.

I suspect that, after an initial panic phase, all of this will blow over and prove to be nothing.

[Lambo88]

Steve_M said:

Can't see this going ahead. it's basically a monopoly and dealer can charge whatever they want. That won't be allowed to happen.
It's like saying only McDonalds can make hamburgers.

Why McDonalds?