At last week’s China Aftermarket Forum (CAF), the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and its members continued to review the changes needed in China’s regulations to ensure consumer choice in auto maintenance and repair. (For a video overview of the CAF meeting, click here.)

“It’s clear that the timing is right for the Chinese government to modernize its policies in order to open up the automotive aftermarket to the benefit of its growing number of motorists,” said Bill Long, AASA president and chief operating officer. “The overall consumer economy in China is entering its next phase of development and AASA wants to ensure that regulators have a playbook for opening up the aftermarket industry in particular.”

The recent session of AASA’s China Aftermarket Forum (CAF) was held last week at the conclusion of Automechanika Shanghai. The CAF is the only supplier council of its kind for aftermarket executives with responsibility for their company’s China operations.

“Earlier this year, the MEMA China Center opened in Shanghai with Dr. Yilong Chen taking the role of managing director,” explained Jay Burkhart, AASA’s chief strategy officer. “Since then, we’ve been working with our supplier members to formulate clear industry recommendations for ensuring improved access for suppliers in the independent aftermarket in China. The CAF gives us a vehicle to engage our members for input and discussion on this subject.”

Joining the CAF was Serafino Bartolozzi, chairman of the Auto Components Working Group of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China. “We have a shared interest in the deregulation of the aftermarket in China and are now engaged with AASA on this critical topic,” Bartolozzi said.

CAF members are top aftermarket executives in China from AASA supplier member companies. For more information about CAF, contact Jay Burkhart at [email protected].