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EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket #

Posted by Ed Kaps on December 23, 2010, 5:13 pm
Message modified by board administrator December 29, 2010, 2:08 pm

I understood that EEC law made the provision of parts to Independents 'freely' available. More and more I am being told by Bosch that 'It is restricted to main dealer supply'. Latest example is a voltage regulator for a Volvo XC90, was told the above, but when I then gave the part number for the complete Alternator I find that this is 'freely' available (at probably six times the voltage reg price). This is bad for the consumer and bad for us, anyone else have these issues?.

Ed Kaps

Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket

Posted by Sean Mc Gettigan on December 26, 2010, 12:42 am, in reply to "EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket"
Sean McGettigan

Yes, same here Eddie.

Mercedes ECUs seem the most common problem I see, even for eight years old plus cars!

Regards + seasons greetings
Sean

Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket

Posted by Jonathan Morgan on December 29, 2010, 12:07 am, in reply to "Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket"
Jonathan Morgan

I needed a Bosch EDC 16U1 Engine ECU last week, typed the part No into the KTS for a Bosch aftermarket No & received the message that went something like this - "trade restricted to vehicle manufacturer only"

So although Bosch manufacture it they are contractually obliged to supply only VAG with it.

Had the same issue a couple of years ago with some Valeo headlamp motors fitted to a Cherokee, Jeep waanted £250 each for what amounted to a less sophisticated motor than a Scalextric car would use. A call to Valeo UK revealed they are contractually obliged to retain manufature of these units for Jeep only.

Jon.

Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket

Posted by James Dillon on January 13, 2011, 11:22 pm, in reply to "Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket"
James Dillon

Hi Guys

Taken from the block exemption document: "Following the former Block Exemption Regulation 1400/2002,
the new competition law framework confirms that vehicle manufacturers may not hinder their original equipment suppliers from also supplying their products as spare parts to independent distributors or directly to independent or authorised repairers."

So, question is, to whom do you report an infringement? This practics is plainly flying in the face of the revised regulations. Copy and past the screen, sent it to your restricting supplier along with the regs.

The regs are: the Automotive Block Exemption Regulation (EU) No. 461/2010
• the sector-specific Guidelines on vertical restraints in agreements for
the sale and repair of motor vehicles and for the distribution of spare parts
for motor vehicles
• the Vertical Restraints Block Exemption Regulation (EU) No. 330/2010
• the general Guidelines on vertical agreements

Cheers

James.

Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket

Posted by Brian Spratt on January 20, 2011, 12:55 pm, in reply to "Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket"

Both the previous and the revised EU Block Exemption Regulation provide for supply of parts from the parts manufacturers to the independent sector, but there are some interesting 'wrinkles'.

For instance if the vehicle assembler (car company - but I call them assemblers) owns the tooling on which the part is produced they can prevent the parts supplier from supplying anyone else, unless the parts supplier invests in a separate tooling for other supply - often an uneconomic proposition.

The assembler can also prevent the dealer selling the part to an independent distributor (motor factor), which means an independent garage can buy it, but only by going to a dealer himself (or by appointing the factor as his 'agent')

Assemblers are also misusing other EU regulations to force customers into their service bays rather than allowing them to use independents - and that trend will increase.

These are important points for independent workshops to remember when the rep from the local dealer trys to sell you parts - the dealer is out to get your customers off you if they can.

If you have problems, I'll try to help - just get in touch via the iaaf.co.uk website.

Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket

Posted by Tony Sefton on January 23, 2011, 8:09 pm, in reply to "Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket"
Tony Sefton

One other Problem with the supply of parts is the refusal to sell the component that you require as you can only buy it as a whole unit.

The ones I am thinking ablout at the moment are throttle position sensors. Vauxhall will not sell a throttle position sensor for a 2.0 or 2.2 diesel without the comlete Alluminium throttle housing cover that it is screwed to. Cost £302.00 + vat for a part that is worth in the region of £20 - £40.00.

The throttle housing then comes with a boost pressure sensor that you might not need and is also available as a seperate part. ???

I also priced an Accelerator pedal postion sensor for a Daimler V8 and found that its only available with the throttle Body for £920.00 + vat.

I think the Car manufacturers have come up with a nasty plan to make most components extortianately over priced so that otherwise perfectly good vehicles will be scrapped to make people more intersted in buying a New vehicle.

Re: EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket #

Posted by Tom Williams on January 24, 2011, 11:23 am, in reply to "EEC and availability of parts to the Aftermarket #"
Tom Williams

OE parts manufacturers have been doing this for a very long time. Possession is 9/10ths of the law. These guys have the upper hand, as far as they are concerned, they design and make the parts, they will choose the conditions of sale.
It must be getting more obvious as time goes on, but governments mainly tinker on the sidelines while large companies do what they need to.

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