FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors

#ImportantNews: The European Union (finally) adopts a Repair Clause, allowing freedom of choice for visible automotive spare parts. Since its creation in 1993, ECAR - Freedom of repair, to which FIGIEFA has always been a proud member, has been advocating for the adoption of a European #RepairsClause which provides to all citizens a real, open and affordable ‘right to choose’. Already existing in several Member States, the Repair Clause rightly gives vehicle manufacturers full protection over the design of their new cars, but it merely ensures that this protection is not extended to the corresponding visible spare parts (such as car body panels, headlamps and windscreens). This means that these parts may freely be produced, distributed and used for repair purposes in the #Aftermarket. The EU Repair Clause will bring significant social and economic benefits. Once fully applied, experts predict that European consumers in the automotive sector will save between EUR 450 million and EUR 720 million annually thanks to increased competition, thus improving purchasing power and countering inflation. It will stimulate job creation and entrepreneurship in the European automotive aftermarket, which accounts for more than 500,000 SMEs and 4.5 million jobs! #RightToRepair #AutomotiveAftermarket

Independent Service Providers group joint statement on the European Commission's Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the #Automotive Sector: 10 European associations representing the whole #AutomotiveAftermarket, consumers, fleet operators, and insurers strongly support the launch of this initiative. However, the challenges facing the sector are far deeper and broader than the limited scope of the first Dialogue suggests. We urge the European Commission to include all key players in the automotive industry in the next steps of the process. #RightToRepair #IAM #Innovation #CircularEconomy ADPA - Automotive Data Publishers Association AIRC International CECRA CLEPA - European Association of Automotive Suppliers EGEA - European Garage Equipment Association aisbl ETRMA Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Region I Insurance Europe Leaseurope

Yesterday, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and vice-president Stéphane Séjourné presented the #CompetitivenessCompass, outlining the Commission’s vision for strengthening Europe’s industrial landscape. We welcome this initiative, as industrial competitiveness is the backbone of Europe’s economic resilience and technological leadership.   However, one key sector that must not be overlooked in this framework is the Independent Automotive Aftermarket (IAM). As highlighted in the latest Roland Berger Aftermarket Panorama Study, this important part of the automotive industry plays a vital role in the competitiveness of the entire sector and Europe’s economy and society as a whole.   📊 Our sector in numbers: ✅ €236 billion market volume (parts and labour). ✅ 4 million jobs in the ‘Automobile Use’ sector. ✅ 80% of European workshops are independent and up to 40% of the profit of Tier1 is generated through parts sale in the IAM. ✅ Key enabler of the EU’s vehicle fleet longevity, servicing over 280 million vehicles on our roads.   Why does this matter for Europe’s competitiveness? As the EU seeks to revitalise its industrial base, support #SMEs, and accelerate the green and digital transitions, the independent aftermarket must be recognised as a strategic asset. Our sector ensures: 🪙 Consumer Choice & Affordability – A competitive market that allows drivers and fleet operators to access cost-effective, high-quality repairs and maintenance. 🌍 Sustainability & Circular Economy – Extending vehicle lifespans, reducing unnecessary waste, and ensuring resource efficiency through repair rather than replacement. 📈 Economic & Industrial Resilience – Supporting a vast network of SMEs that power local economies, foster innovation, and sustain Europe’s industrial fabric. #OurCall: Fair and Competitive Market Conditions.   While the Competitiveness Compass provides a much-needed framework for Europe's future, policies must ensure that the vehicle parts, servicing, and repairs sector can continue to operate in a fair and open market. This means: 🔹 Recognising the automotive aftermarket’s economic contribution in EU industrial strategies and funding mechanisms.          🔹 Preventing monopolistic practices that could undermine consumer choice and inflate maintenance costs. 🔹 Ensuring legal framework conditions for effective competition, e.g.: access to in-vehicle data in an increasingly digitalised automotive ecosystem. Europe’s mobility and industrial competitiveness depend on a thriving, independent aftermarket. FIGIEFA stands ready to work with EU policymakers to ensure that this vital sector is fully recognized in the path forward. Let’s keep Europe moving efficiently, competitively, and sustainably!   #AutomotiveAftermarket #EuropeanIndustry #RightToRepair #FairCompetition #MobilityInnovation #IndustrialStrategy #AccessToData

A reparação automóvel na Europa enfrenta diversos obstáculos devido a uma combinação de fatores económicos, tecnológicos, regulatórios e ambientais. As associações europeias do mercado de pós-venda, incluindo a FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors, elaboraram um documento que apela à mediação de Bruxelas para pôr termo às práticas que dificultam as reparações pelo setor independente. Aceda ao mesmo aqui 👇 #jornaldasoficinas #autopos #figiefa #reparacaoautomovelindependente #obstaculos #regulamentomvber #gigacasting #associacoeseuropeias #aftermarket #apcom

#EndOFLifeVehicles: Joint statement on repair in the proposed regulation on circularity requirements for vehicle design and on management of end-of-life vehicles. Together with other 10 organisations, FIGIEFA welcomes the publication of the proposal for a Regulation on circularity requirements for #VehicleDesign and on management of end-of-life vehicles and calls for stronger provisions for #repair and reuse to strengthen consumers’ choice, local jobs and businesses, and European strategic autonomy, as well as ensure compliance with the waste hierarchy and reduce environmental strain. The Regulation must promote modular design strategies for vehicles, ensure the long-term availability of relevant #SpareParts and software updates at fair and non-discriminatory prices, address anti-repair practices, and guarantee access to repair information. In particular, considering their importance in terms of cost, material use and vehicle functionality, the Regulation must also ensure the #repairability of #ElectricVehicle #Batteries. #RightToRepair #CircularEconomy #Sustainability #AutomotiveAftermarket European Environmental Bureau ECOS Deutsche Umwelthilfe Right to Repair Europe iFixit Europe HOP - Halte à l'obsolescence programmée The Restart Project Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) Region I Insurance Europe MOBILIANS

📣 Save the Date: 2025 Independent Aftermarket Conference 📣 The Independent Retailers Committee, Wholesalers Committee, and SIMI are delighted to announce the 2025 Independent Aftermarket Conference, taking place: 📅 27th March 2025 🕒 Registration from 3:30 PM 📍 Iveagh Gardens Hotel, Harcourt Street, Dublin 2 What to Expect: Building on the success of the 2023 conference, this year features a sector-specific panel discussion tailored by committee members to address the most relevant topics for your business. Networking Opportunities: Stay for the post-conference canapés and drinks reception, a fantastic chance to connect with fellow delegates and guest speakers. Free to Attend – Booking Essential Reserve your spot by emailing attendee names to Megan Hannan at mhannan@simi.ie. #Networking #AutomotiveIndustry

A new year and a new article at The Parliament by our Chief Executive, Sylvia Gotzen: 'Europe's automotive industrial action plan: Why the Independent Aftermarket deserves its place in the spotlight'. "The #IAM is more than a network of #workshops and #parts suppliers. It's a critical enabler of Europe's #mobility, a safeguard of affordable transportation, and a driver of environmental responsibility. As the European Commission charts the future of the #Automotive industry, it's time to give the Independent #AutomotiveAftermarket the recognition it deserves -because Europe's industrial strength depends on all its component parts working together." #RightToRepair #Industry #Competitiveness #EU AFCAR - Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair in Europe

From the entire FIGIEFA team, Merry Christmas and Happy 2025! #RightToRepair #AutomotiveAftermarket

Last week, under the fantastic Aftermarket Conference organised by Aftersales Magazine in Den Bosch, Álvaro de la Cruz Tomás presented at our Dutch member association, RAI Vereniging / RAI Association, aftermarket meeting. He explained the work done by FIGIEFA in the last year and the main dossiers and priorities for the starting EU mandate. Let's continue the fantastic collaboration in The Netherlands and Brussels, and thank you for having us once again! #RightToRepair #AutomotiveAftermarket

🇵🇱: Data Act, chociaż wprowadza ogólne ramy regulujące dostęp do danych, jest z natury horyzontalny. Oznacza to, że obejmuje szerokie spektrum produktów, od szczoteczek do zębów po samoloty. Ronan McDonagh, Technical Director, FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors, zwraca uwagę, że brak w nim szczegółowych regulacji dostosowanych do specyfiki sektora motoryzacyjnego: „Data Act sam w sobie jest dobry, ale brak mu sektorowych szczegółów. Nie odpowiada na pytania, jakie konkretnie dane mają być udostępniane i jak to wdrożyć w naszej branży”. Zachęcamy do obejrzenia wywiadu dla Dziennik Gazeta Prawna przeprowadzonego podczas XIX Kongresu Przemysłu i Rynku Motoryzacyjnego. _____________________________________ 🇬🇧: The Data Act, while introducing a general framework for regulating access to data, is horizontal in nature. This means that it covers a wide range of products, from toothbrushes to aeroplanes. Ronan McDonagh, Technical Director, FIGIEFA - Automotive Aftermarket Distributors, points out that it lacks detailed regulations tailored to the specifics of the automotive sector: "The Data Act itself is good, but it lacks sector-specific detail. It does not answer the questions of what specific data should be shared and how to implement it in our industry." We encourage you to watch the interview for Dziennik Gazeta Prawna conducted during the 19th Congress of the Automotive Industry and Market. #SDCM #KongresSDCM