Anti-Monopoly Extension to Automotive Aftermarket

Recently, the Guiding Opinions on Promoting the Transformation and Upgrading of the Automobile Maintenance Industry to Improve Service Quality (hereinafter referred to as "Opinions") have been jointly issued by the Ministry of Communications, the National Development and Reform Commission, and the Ministry of Public Security. The promulgation of the "Opinions" means that the entire vehicle company has long been monopolized in the monopoly of the auto aftermarket maintenance market. The diversification of the maintenance channels will bring real benefits to consumers: The auto companies will open the vehicle maintenance technical data and accessories channels. The cost of the consumer's after-sales service in the automobile will be reduced, and the quality of ordinary vehicle maintenance will be more assured. At the same time, the existing 4S shop customers will inevitably be diverted in large numbers. It will be difficult for 4S shops to maintain their past operation mode. Scaling down the scale and reducing maintenance prices will almost become the only way out. Ultimately consumers will benefit from this.

With the continuous development of anti-monopoly investigations by the National Development and Reform Commission and the Ministry of Commerce, anti-monopoly in the automotive industry has further extended to the aftermarket. The "Opinions" clearly stated that it would "break the monopoly of maintenance parts and accessories" and demanded that vehicle manufacturers disclose technical information on vehicle maintenance from next year. If the "Opinions" are implemented, it will greatly promote the development of independent automobile repair plants in China, especially those who have the strength of chain maintenance companies, once they receive the most lack of maintenance technology information and genuine parts, relying on its cost-effectiveness will be able to be in the car After the market grab a big cake.

According to statistics, as of the end of 2013, there were a total of 480,000 motor vehicle maintenance households and nearly 3 million employees in the country. The annual maintenance volume was 330 million vehicles and the annual production value reached 500 billion yuan. This also means that China's automobile maintenance industry has evolved from a pure vehicle maintenance and protection industry into a people's livelihood service industry.