18 VN 54 | APRIL – JUNE 2019
EYES ON THE
AFTERMARKET 2019
By Wendy Williamson, IAAF Chief Executive
This time last year, the industry was bracing
itself as we stood on the periphery of
significant change within the aftermarket.
Change that was anticipated but concerning
nevertheless.
There were, and still are of course, big issues
to get our heads around. The connected
car, autonomous technology, the ‘B’ word,
hybrid, electric vehicles, the continuing
threats surrounding diesel vehicles and the
right to in-vehicle data access. Even the issue
involving the rise in counterfeit parts has
reared its ugly head.
A MASS OF CHANGES
Fast forward 12 months, and we’re still in the
midst of that tumultuous cycle of change, with
one thing clear if nothing else: this is a long
game, one that we are fully prepared for.
To briefly summarise the likely scenario
of the next 12 months ahead, “economic
uncertainty” and “profound transformation”
will no doubt be the major, overriding issues
faced by the aftermarket.
2019’s priorities will be direct real-time access
to vehicle data, as well as other challenges
involving emissions, PHEVs and autonomous
vehicles, all of which will have a profound
effect on our future.
THIRD LEGISLATIVE MOBILITY PACKAGE
Against a post-Brexit backdrop that leaves us
all in a state of limbo, our industry will need
to keep fighting a number of issues, including
connected vehicles. While the IAAF cautiously
welcomed the European Commission’s third
legislative Mobility Package published earlier
last year, covering a wide range of topics,
including connected and automated driving,
there are concerns. There still needs to be
a clear legislative pathway to guarantee a
level playing field for all digital products
and services ‘around the vehicle’, to ensure
that consumers can decide who they share
their vehicle data with and for what specific
services.
Wendy Williamson,
IAAF Chief Executive
There are some positive signs, but our
intensive lobbying will continue to ensure
there is no lock-out from the VMs. Similarly,
with the ongoing threat posed by VMs
regarding access to the OBD port, we shall
continue to lobby on this front also.
So, while technological advancements will
play a key role in these changes, we mustn’t
let technology become an excuse for unfair
and distorted competition.
THE IMPORTANCE OF YOUR CAR – YOUR
CHOICE
We shall also be working closely with more
suppliers, motor factors and garages to raise
further awareness of our Your Car, Your
Choice campaign that provides consumers
with the freedom to choose where to service
their vehicle, under Block Exemption
regulations.
Already supported by many companies across
the independent automotive aftermarket, we
will continue to push to promote the sector as
a credible alternative for vehicle service and
repair, and ensure motorists are aware of their
rights to take their vehicle, irrespective of age,
anywhere for servicing without invalidating
the vehicle manufacturer’s warranty.
STRENGTH IN UNITY
As more time passes, the aftermarket is
coming together and growing even stronger,
allowing us to add weight to our campaign
and strengthen our springboard into 2019.
We have seen this increasing unity reflected
in the high number of aftermarket businesses
that joined the IAAF as new members in
2018, coupled with December’s sell-out IAAF
Annual Awards & Dinner, hailed as one of the
largest of its kind in many years.
What we are certain of is that all these issues
only make us more resilient as an alliance,
and for all its uncertainty, the future opens up
plenty of opportunity that we must seize. The
IAAF is as ever wholly committed to lobbying
tirelessly on behalf of its members to secure
that future.