All workshops in Europe have the right to repair. Therefore, the EU has established competition rules for a functioning internal market. One important aspect is the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulation (MVBER), which has just been extended for another five years until May 31, 2028. However, is this extension sufficient to ensure free and fair competition in the repair market? And what is MAHLE doing in this regard? Where are there still areas for improvement? To address these questions, we spoke with Alex Erdmann, Manager of External Affairs at MAHLE Aftermarket GmbH.
Mr. Erdmann, you represent MAHLE Aftermarket in Berlin. What do you do there?
MAHLE Aftermarket is a major player in the European spare parts and diagnostic equipment market, and we have a strong interest in ensuring that laws and regulations are enacted in a manner that is favorable to our industry and our customers.
Our company has a high level of expertise in the field. We bring this expertise to associations and organizations, and we also present it in direct discussions with federal ministries and political decision-makers in order to contribute to decisions that affect the free repair market. This is classic advocacy work.
Lobbying has a bad reputation. What does MAHLE do differently?
We advocate for equality and participation, not for isolation and monopolization. Associations are legitimate and intended organizations to consolidate the input and expertise of as many companies as possible and present them to policymakers.
That's why MAHLE Aftermarket is an active member of the Association of Automotive Parts Dealers. They also pursue legal action before the European Court of Justice to protect the legitimate interests of independent workshops and trade.
Where else is MAHLE represented?
We are also members of the German Association for Automotive Service Equipment as well as the European Association of Automotive Suppliers, CLEPA, which strongly represents the peculiarities of the industry in Brussels. Since June, MAHLE Aftermarket has also joined the European Federation of Vehicle Inspection Organizations, CITA, as many workshops want to continue offering main and emission inspections.
However, the current framework is evolving, and topics such as particulate measurement, driver assistance systems, and battery diagnostics are coming into play. In this field, we are right in the midst with our innovative services. The extensive expertise of our development department in Parma, as well as our colleagues in Schorndorf and Donaueschingen, helps us to anticipate and address potential issues for our customers in the legislative process.
Where do you currently see the greatest potential for conflict?
Currently, the access to connected vehicles is undoubtedly the biggest source of conflict. There are particularly strong divisions in this area. The increasing efforts of automakers to establish themselves as gatekeepers to the vehicle and deny independent service providers access to data is a concerning trend.
Therefore, we need to create an understanding within the political sphere that these vehicle-generated data are essential for repairs and maintenance. MAHLE is actively engaged in this matter and clearly advocates for its customers, who cannot carry out their work in repairs and maintenance without fair and unhindered access to data.
Thank you for the insightful perspectives and your dedication, Mr. Erdmann.