AIA Canada signs information-sharing agreement with auto manufacturers

The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) has signed on to the Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS), which provides the automotive aftermarket with access to emission and non-emission related service information from all vehicle manufacturers in Canada.The agreement emerged as a result of what’s known as the “right to repair” issue. Prior to the agreement, some vehicle manufacturers were restricting the access to factory-specific tools, training and diagnostic and repair software from independent installers, preventing the independent installers from repairing late-model vehiclesBut with the CASIS agreement, Canadian drivers are now able to choose between having their vehicle serviced or repaired at an aftermarket service facility or an authorized original equipment manufacturer (OEM) dealership, AIA Canada says. This leads to a more competitive auto repair marketplace. The CASIS agreement represents a significant achievement for Canada’s automotive aftermarket industry, says AIA Canada president Marc Brazeau. The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers Association (CVMA), the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers of Canada (AAIMC) and the National Automotive Trades Association (NATA) support the agreement. Scott Smith, director of government and industry relations with AIA Canada, explored some of the advantages of a more competitive marketplace in the January 2010 issue of Canadian Underwriter. These include: • cost of parts decreases due to improved competition;• cost of labour decreases due to increase in competition;• turnaround time (cycle time) decreases due to fewer outsourcing requirements; and• duplication of services from having two shops perform one repair is reduced