Naamsa | the Automotive Business Council says the local automotive industry is assessing its state of readiness to implement the Automotive Aftermarket Guidelines on July 1.
These guidelines were published by the Competition Commission on December 10 and aim to provide improved access to black-owned and small and medium-sized enterprises to undertake service, maintenance and repair work on vehicles, including during the period covered by a warranty.
Naamsa says it views the introduction of the guidelines as “a positive disruption” that will further “enhance and hasten the sector’s transformation ambitions”.
Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa says the automotive industry body will meet with the Competition Commission in the coming weeks to share its general state of readiness.
“We are mindful that not all our members are at the same level or state of readiness.
“For this reason, we will transparently discuss our existing implementation plans ahead of July 1, and carefully consider how those principles, which may not be fully ready for implementation, will be phased in to ensure full adoption and compliance within a reasonable timeframe.
“Once fully aligned, members of the public will be kept informed at every step to ensure that accurate information is communicated at all times,” says Mabasa.
He adds that there has been “some reckless and persistent misrepresentation and miscommunication of what the guidelines are all about”.