IAAF CHALLENGES TABLOID JIBE

Don't Blame The Aftermarket!

In response to a number of recent articles that have appeared in the consumer press and online regarding the theft of BMW’s, Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) chief executive, Brian Spratt has issued the following comment to clarify the situation with regard to the automotive aftermarket.

“In these articles, statements are made regarding access to devices designed to circumvent the vehicle’s security systems. Statements are also made regarding the provisions of the EU Regulation known as ‘Block Exemption’ and a link is made between the devices, the Regulation and the role of independent garages.

“The implication is that owners and employees of independent garages (that is to say, garages outside the franchised dealer network) are, in some way, responsible for the increase in the theft of BMW’s that the articles mention.  This is a wholly unwarranted implication and, in fact, is incorrect on several technical points.

“The OBD port on virtually all modern cars cannot be circumvented in the manner described in the articles and BMW UK confirmed this in a meeting held at the UK's Motor Insurance Industry Research Centre in Thatcham, earlier this year.  That meeting was also attended by representatives from several other motor manufacturers and the police, all of whom rejected any suggestion that this was a consequence of the Block Exemption Regulation or, in some way, implicated independent garages.

“EU regulations do allow repair and maintenance information to be accessed by garage technicians, but security information is protected and a new system for positively vetting technicians will soon be introduced.

“It is important that the activities of criminals are not unintentionally associated with the perfectly legitimate activities of independent garages,” concluded Spratt.

For more information please contact the IAAF on 0845 3131 506 or visit www.iaaf.co.uk

ENDS

For further information relating to this press material, please contact Gary Barak on: 01753 650004 or e-mail: gary@chicanemarketing.co.uk

Chicane is an established PR agency with a particular specialism in the automotive aftermarket and the motorsport industry.
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