Advocacy Activities

On 8 August 2017, MTAA in conjunction with its member state and territory associations and Senator Nick Xenophon released a landmark report into the Australian Automotive industry that reaffirms an urgent need for a coordinated whole of industry policy and actions to address current and emerging issues in the Australian automotive industry.

The report, ‘Directions in Australia’s Automotive Industry 2017' confirms that Government inaction risks the industry’s $37.1 billion (2.2% of Australia’s GDP) annual contribution to the Australian economy.

The report details a true picture of the size and scope of Australia’s automotive industry, the current challenges it faces and emerging opportunities and critical policy areas requiring coordinated planning; and calls for a Senate Inquiry into the Australian automotive industry. It also reveals the impacts of a diminishing labour pool and poor perceptions of automotive professions. It also highlights the rapid deployment of technology, and emerging innovations such as hydrogen and electrical propulsion systems, autonomous vehicles and changing consumer behaviours.

This comprehensive document provides the rationale behind much of the MTAA’s and AARA’s advocacy activities.

Please follow the link below to access the media release.  Download .pdf

To obtain a copy of the actual report and to access report summaries please use the following link: http://www.vacc.com.au/Directions-Report

In September 2017, MTAA provided the ACCC with an in-depth submission highlighting the concerns of MTAA’s member associations and their business members to the ACCC’s New Car Retailing Market Study Interim Report. It also highlighted a number of recommendations for input into the final report due later in 2017.

MTAA generally agreed with the focus of the Interim Report on the areas of consumer guarantees and warranties; accessing technical information to service and repair new cars; parts supply; fuel consumption and emissions; and telematics. MTAA also supported suggested actions and recommendations designed to improve consumer awareness, understanding and education of consumer guarantees and manufacturer warranties. Furthermore, MTAA welcomed the draft recommendation and actions that assures a mandated process for access to technical information.

However, MTAA believes the Interim Report has failed toadequately or satisfactorily ‘unpack’ the relationship between motor vehicle manufacturers and their distributors and retail dealers, and dealership agreements.

MTAA also advocated for more investigation to understand the business relationships between insurers and motor body repairers.

Please follow the link below to access MTAA’s submission to the ACCC New Car Retailing Industry Market Study Interim Report September 2017  Download .pdf

On 10 August 2017, MTAA welcomed the release of the ACCC New Car Retailing Market Study Interim Report which recommended a mandated scheme to allow the nation’s mechanical and motor body repairers fair and reasonable access to repair information. It also acknowledged the significant advocacy, representation and leadership MTAA and Members have provided on behalf of its thousands of member businesses.

MTAA CEO Richard Dudley said the recommendation of a mandated scheme recognised MTAA and members’ unique understanding of a highly complex issue by harnessing knowledge from all of its member constituents.

MTAA facilitated the original heads of agreement with Government and has spent the past two years investigating improvements, gathering detailed information on specific problems and trying to facilitate further enhancements.

Please follow the link below to access the media release.  Download .pdf