The Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) and its State and Territory Motor Trades Association and Automobile Chamber of Commerce Members welcomes the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC) decision to recommend a mandated scheme to allow the nation’s mechanical and motor body repairers fair and reasonable access to repair information.
The recommendation, contained in the ACCC interim New Car Retailing Market Study report issued this morning, acknowledges the significant advocacy, representation and leadership MTAA and members have provided on behalf of its thousands of member businesses.
MTAA CEO Richard Dudley said the recommendation of a mandated scheme recognised MTAA and members unique understanding of a highly complex issue by harnessing knowledge from all of its member constituents.
"This enabled MTAA and members to deliver a balanced and pragmatic input and suggestions to resolve this issue and deliver improved consumer choice, enhanced fair competition and greater certainty to all industry participants. The ACCC Market Study team has tackled an extremely complex and multi-faceted issue as part of their investigations and MTAA and members welcomed the opportunity to provide comprehensive information from grass root businesses, other materials gathered and to provide access to member businesses and resources," Dudley said.
"MTAA facilitated the original heads of agreement with Government and has spent the past two years investigating improvements, gathering detailed information on specific problems and trying to facilitate further enhancements.
"We now look forward to continuing that leadership by working with the ACCC, Government and willing members of the industry to cement the recommendation into action," he said.
MTAA and members are now considering the other recommendations and observations in four main areas of the report dealing with consumer guarantees and warranties, fuel consumption and emissions, parts supply and the interim report in general.
MTAA, on behalf of members, will provide a further submission to the interim report and look forward to further contributions to the final report that is likely to be delivered towards the end of this year.