SACRAMENTO, Calif. – CAWA’s government affairs team recently met with top environmental leaders to discuss critical issues impacting the industry including telematics and keeping manufacturers honest in providing the same tools and information to the independent aftermarket that they provide to their franchised dealers.
The meeting, held at the California EPA headquarters in Sacramento, was coordinated by CAWA and included representatives from the Auto Care Association, the Automotive Service Councils of California (ASCCA), the California Autobody Association (CAA) and the California Automotive Business Coalition (CalABC). Industry leaders met with the top two staff of the California Air Resources Board: CARB Executive Officer Richard Corey and Deputy Executive Officer Alberto Ayala, Ph.D.
Industry leaders discussed concerns regarding proper implementation of SB 1146 – the access to information law passed requiring the auto manufacturers to provide the same tools and information that they provide to their franchised dealers as they do to the independent aftermarket. There is growing concern among the industry that manufacturers are not being audited to ensure they are complying with the law and independent repair facilities are still encountering challenges with accessing the necessary tools and repair information needed to repair their customers vehicles.
Telematics and the future of information availability also were discussed. Industry leaders stressed a number of concerns surrounding the impending telematics technology, including the question of who owns a vehicle’s data. It is the belief of the industry associations that the vehicle owner should own the data generated by the telematics system and be allowed to share that data with whomever they choose – including their independent auto repair facility.
“CAWA remains committed to protecting the business and industry interests of its members in the three states we represent – Arizona, Nevada and California. Our government affairs team has developed strong and cordial relationships with key regulators and policymakers who are at the forefront of making and implementing laws that directly affect our members and their ability to do business in California. CAWA appreciates the opportunity to sit down with Mr. Corey and Mr. Ayala to share our concerns and discuss ways to work together to ensure all parties have satisfactory resolutions to concerns,” said Rodney Pierini, CAWA president and CEO.
CAWA says the Air Board officials expressed a willingness to work with the industry and continue a collaborative dialogue to ensure the issues surrounding access to information and telematics are addressed.
