Orange with 6Medias, published on Monday, January 02, 2023 at 7:25 p.m.
January 1 marks the end of the manufacturers’ monopoly on so-called “visible” spare parts. Indeed, mechanics and bodybuilders no longer have the obligation to obtain supplies from manufacturers when it is necessary to repair a windscreen or a rear-view mirror. This could lower the bill for motorists.
Since January 1 and thanks to article 32 of the climate law, competition on the so-called “visible” spare parts market is open. Windows, windshields and mirrors are affected by this measure. In France, only manufacturers could market these parts. Thus, mechanics and coachbuilders absolutely had to contact Renault, Peugeot or Citroën.
However, for bodywork parts, headlights or mirrors, mechanics must imperatively obtain supplies from Valeo, Faurecia or Plastic Omnium and then resell them to users. These companies manufacture the parts for the builders. The cost of repairs will be much lower since these adaptable parts are 15 to 30% cheaper.
Builders in fear
Lowering the cost of spare parts was one of Édouard Philippe’s promises when the Yellow Vests crisis took place. Although this measure is good news, it is not an end in itself for Mathieu Séguran, the general delegate of the Federation of automobile distribution, who declares: “The fight continues.” It is true that the companies which do not have the chance to manufacture the parts for the manufacturers will always suffer from this monopoly.
Mathieu Séguran explains: “Remember mobile telephony. At the time when the market only had one or two operators, the prices were crazy. Then Free arrived and the prices shattered. same thing today in the business of spare parts, where the manufacturers make a hell of a margin. We simply demand that motorists are no longer the turkeys of the farce.
Manufacturers complain about a costly energy transition; for them, the visible spare parts market constitutes a real margin. They also fear that new low-cost manufacturers will enter the market.