Common ground at the Vehicle Service and Repair Information Conference

The Vehicle Service and Repair Information Conference took place on September 6 in Melbourne.  It was the first industry-wide discussion of this issue and it revealed much common ground and a constructive beginning to future industry dialogue.
Crash repair technical information was high on the agenda along with diagnostic and emissions information. The conference was opened by The Hon. Louise Asher MP and then speakers representing different aspects of the industry each had 15 minutes to put their point of view to the delegates.

Mark Awaramenko, Managing Director of Highton Automotive Services, Victoria laid out a strong case for the independent repairer to be supplied with manufacturer technical information. He was followed by Andrew McKellar, Executive Director of the Australian Automobile Association (AAA) representing the consumer's point of view. Ian Field, Chairman of Q Automotive Group talked about the issue from a dealer's view point, while Stefanee Lovett, General Counsel and director of Legal Affairs at Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries put the position of the manufacturers. Stuart Charity of AAAA represented the interests of the manufacturers of aftermarket parts, accessories, tools and equipment.

The amount of technical information currently available was warmly debated with varying figures and estimates being presented.
A panel discussion also took place, facilitated by Richard Dudley, chief executive officer of the Australian Motor Industry Federation (AMIF), with questions taken from the floor. The discussion panelists included Steve Bennett of Bennett Automotive Group, John Zulian of Keswick Crash Repairs, Craig NNewland of AAA, dealer principle Leigh Smith of Garry and Warren Smith Group and John Mellor of GoAutoMedia.


VACC director David Purchase said: “We set out to create an environment for a national and industry-wide discussion, and looking at the number of industry sector representatives in attendance, I think we accomplished that.
"To have the opportunity to hear so many views and opinions was enlightening and it is clear that this is a very complex issue.
"It is also clear – and we thought this would be the case – that it is not possible to neatly wrap the issue up with one outcome or in one sentence. We always thought the conference would yield a number of different angles.
It is now up to all interested parties to submit their views to the Bradbury Inquiry, which will have its work cut out for itself when the submissions land by 23 September."

AMIF's Richard Dudley commented: “Many examples of difficulties being faced were provided and various industry sectors also provided their positions on whether government intervention was required or not. In my opinion there was also clear evidence of common ground, which I believe should be further explored. One such area where I believe there was universal agreement was the need for the body repair sector to be guaranteed access to essential information in order to safely and successfully re-manufacture vehicles.
"The Australian Motor Industry Federation will open talks with the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries to see what might be able to be achieved in addressing this issue in the near future.
What was also clear from the conference was that while this issue has been around for years, and exacerbated by recent concentrated technological advances in motor vehicles, these developments maybe also providing a catalyst for industry tackling the issue itself - irrespective of what government may or may not do in the future.”

AP&P will be posting excepts from the positions presented by the conference speakers over the coming days.