By Larry Claasen

RIGHT to Repair (R2R) South Africa is expanding its campaign beyond the automotive aftermarket to include stationary agricultural equipment, generators and other machinery.
R2R believes that the principles of fairness and openness that they have long advocated in the automotive sector should be applied to other industries that also require maintenance and service contracts.

R2R has been campaigning for a more open automotive secondary market for years. He argues that service plans that require vehicle owners to use OEM-approved dealers and parts, while voiding warranties if they don’t, are unfair to service providers independent.

Many of these projects restrict consumer choice, preventing independent service providers from competing on a level playing field with OEMs, ultimately increasing costs for vehicle owners.

Guidelines pave way for independent providers

In 2021, R2R scored a major victory when the Competition Commission published its guidelines for competition in the automotive aftermarket in South Africa, which allow independent service providers to service vehicles without canceling guarantees. This opened the door to greater competition and gave consumers more options.

Kate Elliot, CEO of R2R, says the guidelines are not limited to vehicles, but also extend to other equipment that comes with service and maintenance plans.

“We think it would be natural to extend this technology to other equipment that is serviced and maintained in the same way as vehicles, such as stationary agricultural equipment, generators and other machinery.”

Elliot points out that in addition to vehicles, the guidelines also cover utility vehicles, motorcycles and drivable agricultural equipment.

“The guidelines cover all vehicles designed to be driven on the road.”

Slow adoption by consumers

Although the guidelines have been in effect since 2021, consumers have not yet fully understood that they are not required to have their vehicles serviced at authorized dealerships.

“We’re working very hard to convey that, and the general public’s understanding is starting to change. These things take time, but through our continued efforts to get the word out, I think we will get to a point where the average consumer will have at least a basic understanding of their rights in terms of guidelines,” says Elliot.

The biggest misconceptions

Elliot says the most common misconceptions among consumers are that service plans are mandatory and that not all independent service providers are trustworthy “backyard mechanics.”

She also says there is a misconception that non-OEM parts are unsafe.

“This doesn’t make sense since OEMs don’t make their own parts. All OEM branded parts are manufactured by a company subcontracted by the OEM to develop parts to their requirements.

She adds: “Companies also sell these parts to the public, and these parts are exactly the same parts that came with your car. The only difference is that these parts do not carry the car manufacturer’s logo.

Although she notes that there are gray and pirated parts — which are unsafe and should be avoided — paying for an automaker’s logo only benefits the brand’s profit margin.

Although she notes that there are gray and pirated parts — which are unsafe and should be avoided — paying for an automaker’s logo only benefits the brand’s profit margin.

Mixed response from OEMs

From what she has seen, OEM reactions to the guidelines have been mixed.
“Some have changed their service plans; some try to completely ignore the guidelines, and we, of course, report these builders to the commission.
However, some dealer workshops see these directives as an opportunity and announce that they are now able to serve all brands.