Telematics is the latest battlefield for automakers, aftermarket

Aftermarket Business World columnist Larry Silvey discusses the telematics battle between automakers and the aftermarket over the right to service and repair vehicles in his column “The automotive telematics battle.”

The intellectual property belongs to automakers but consumers have a right to decide where they get their vehicles serviced, which traditionally has been independent repair shops after the new vehicle warranty period ends.

He frames the current struggle over telematics in a historical perspective by looking back at previous attempts by automakers to gain a competitive advantage over the aftermarket in servicing and repairing vehicles.

Here are some of the historical precedents he discusses:

• The long, drawn-out Right to Repair struggle of a few years ago in which the aftermarket ultimately prevailed.

• The Industrial Design Act of 1996, which would have provided automakers with a 10-year monopoly on most replacement parts. A grassroots effort defeated the measure.

• The emissions nightmare known as SB 1146 involving automakers providing emissions data to aftermarket shops.

Telematics is the latest battleground and the stakes are higher than ever. Click here to read the entire column.

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