BETHESDA, Md.—The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association hosted leaders from European and South African auto aftermarket associations the week of Oct. 8, AAIA said.
The week-long talks involved such issues as Right to Repair, auto company telematics systems and common goals for the pending U.S./European Union free trade agreement.
Officials from the following organizations came to Bethesda for the meetings:
• The European Garage and Equipment Association, a Brussels-based organization representing the manufacturers and importers of garage and test equipment;
• The Motor Industry Workshop Association, part of South Africa's Retail Motor Industry Association, which represents repair garages and vehicle accessory centers; and
• FIGIEFA, a Brussels-based international federation representing independent wholesalers and retailers of replacement auto parts.
AAIA arranged the international industry leaders to meet with representatives of the Equipment and Tool Institute, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association and the Automotive Industries Association of Canada to address technical issues related to access by the independent repair industry to original equipment telematics systems, AAIA said.
It also hosted a meeting between the European representatives and the National Automotive Service Task Force to gain a better understanding of its efforts to resolve service information issues, especially the development and implementation of the Secure Data Release Model that allows locksmiths and repair shops to reinitialize vehicle security systems following repairs.