ARA Divisions

Mechanical Repair

Phil Singer,

Office: 604-432-7987
Fax: 604-432-1756

Mechanical Division Chairman: Rob Lang, Richmond Motorworks Ltd., Richmond
Directors:
Wilf Burnett, Wilf's Automatic Transmission, Vancouver
Russ Hudson, Hudson's Automotive Ltd., Langley
Dave Hurtubise, Hi-Tek Training Inc., Aldergrove
Art Lilley, Start Automotive, Maple Ridge
Scott Waddle, Precision Auto Service Ltd., Langley
Peter Foreman, Dave Foreman's Auto Repair, Langley
Ron Tremblay, The Garage, Vancouver

Mechanical Repair Division Info

The Most Significant Issue Facing Repair Shops Today!

"What is the ARA Mechanical Repair Division working on these days?"

You are the ARA. The ARA is the organization through which mechanical repair shops work together on issues common to them. The ARA staff members work for the association members. The mechanical repair division consultant works for the mechanical repair division members.

The future of your independent repair shop business is in jeopardy!

Throughout the entire history of the automobile, dealers and independent shops have competed for a share of the automotive service and repair business. Now, vehicles are being built with technologies that force customers to return to the dealership. Several years ago, it was determined that some auto manufacturers in Canada are restricting access to their service and repair information and service tools. Only franchised dealers have access to some of the tools, training and technical information necessary to work on today’s vehicles.

What does this mean for your shop?

We’re only seeing a small sample of things to come. Vehicle technology is advancing rapidly. With alternate fuels, hybrids, electric cars, accident avoidance and advanced security systems, and much more high-tech equipment being built into vehicles, we will see fewer and fewer vehicles that independent shops are able to service. Left unchecked, this trend will put the majority of small independent repair shops out of business within the next five to ten years.

Not your problem?

Shops are telling us that they have to turn some customers away because they can’t work on their cars. When you have to send a customer to someone else, you’re sending the message that you’re not the expert. Where are they going to go first next time? You may not be running into many instances of this yet, but you will. This problem will grow as the fleet ages.

OK, so what’s being done about it, and who is doing it?

We’re trying to solve this problem before it causes too many casualties. The issue is commonly referred to as “Right to Repair.” The ARA believes a solution is near, and to answer the question at the beginning of this section, that is what we are doing together as an industry.

NATA, and the VISTA Campaign

The provincial and regional associations across Canada that are members of the National Automotive Trades Association, which includes the ARA, recognized this issue well before the “Right to Repair” campaign got underway. The ARA volunteered to lead an initiative on behalf of NATA in search of a solution. Unlike the “Right to Repair” campaign led by other industry associations, which has lobbied the federal government for a legislated solution, NATA seeks a voluntary agreement with the OEMs similar to the one already in place in the United States (NASTF). NATA calls its campaign “VISTA” – Vehicle Information & Service Tool Agreement.

The problem with legislation

In 2008 the media gave a lot of attention to a Private Member’s Bill introduced in late 2007 by NPD MP for Windsor, Ontario, Brian Masse. On the surface, it may appear that this bill represents a ray of hope, but many people are not aware how these private member’s bills work and what the ramifications of it being brought forward would be.

“Lottery draws” happen periodically in Parliament for private members’ bills. MP Brian Masse’s “Right to Repair” bill was one of seven he had at that time. If his name were drawn he would then have to decide which of his bills he would like to take forward. The bill then has 60 days to be drafted and voted on. Of course, it could be disastrous if the R2R bill was brought forward and pushed through without proper planning or industry consultation. Besides, the manufacturers have made it clear they will fight long and hard against any such legislation. To rely on the government to craft a model that works for everyone within a 60-day window is not a promising prospect. Instead, NATA has asked the government to facilitate the initial meetings in the quest of an Industry-led solution.

An Industry-led solution is the preferred approach

We are asking the OEMs to partner with us. A voluntary agreement would see all stakeholders involved in the process so all concerns are addressed. The desired outcome of an initial meeting would be for all parties to affirm the will to reach an agreement. Subsequent meetings would establish exactly what the agreement would look like.

Fall 2008: Optimism for an imminent breakthrough

Dale Finch, the ARA’s Executive Director met with Industry Minister Jim Prentice in April 2008. Minister Prentice acknowledged the importance of this issue and assigned Parliamentary Secretary, Dr. Colin Carrie (also MP for Oshawa) to the file. In June, Dale Finch and Dave Hurtubise, member of the ARA Mechanical Repair Division board of directors met with Dr. Carrie in Ottawa. Subsequent plans for an October Industry/OE meeting were postponed by the federal election. Dr. Carrie had planned to moderate this meeting. Dr. Carrie and Minister Jim Prentice have become great champions of our cause. Now that the election is over, we are working towards a rescheduling of the October meeting. We believe that once this meeting has taken place, a solution to this issue will be within our grasp.

Your support is critical

The best thing you can do to help us reach this ever so important goal is to support us with your membership. As you have learned from the above, there are considerable travel and other expenses incurred by our campaign. We also need to be identified as a strong, unified group, truly representative of our industry. It has never been more important to belong.

Thank you for your support.