Car industry meets with Small Business minister Bruce Billson to discuss independent repairers

CAR companies will be forced to provide the latest service information to independent repair operators under changes being pushed by the federal government.

Generic pic of mechanical apprentices servicing a car.

IN a win for motorists and independent mechanics, the government will force car companies to make the latest car servicing data available to all repairers, including small operators.

Federal Small Business Minister Bruce Billson slammed the brakes on changes to the car servicing code of practice after meeting with industry and consumer bodies in Canberra today.

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A statement from Mr Billson’s office said: “A revised draft Heads of Agreement has been circulated and sets the broad parameters for industry cooperation and collaboration”.

The changes mean there will be a “strengthened focus on motorists having information about their servicing options”.

The new code of practice released a fortnight ago was criticised for not allowing independent repairers to get access to the most up-to-date service information.

Constructive meeting ... Bruce Billson, Federal Minister for Small Business. Picture: MM Photography

The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, the car company lobby group, insists servicing information is already available.

But local workshop mechanics and the Australian Automobile Association, which represents 7 million motorists, says the code currently lists 16 exemptions, which blocks access to critical data.

So far market leader Toyota is the only company to break ranks with the FCAI and offer more than the bare basics outlined in the code.

According to industry insiders, Mr Billson blasted the car industry for “jumping the starter’s gun” and releasing a car servicing policy before it was ready.

The minister reportedly said the current policy needs to be “cryogenically frozen”.

Two representatives from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and one representative from Federal Treasury also attended the meeting.

“The positive and constructive discussions held today showed a shared commitment to resolving contentious industry issues,” Mr Billson said.

This reporter is on Twitter: @JoshuaDowling