Voluntary Agreement Signed to Address Availability of Heavy-Duty Vehicle Service and Repair Information Across Canada and the United States

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 14, 2015) - Heavy Duty Aftermarket Canada (HDAC), the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) and the Truck and Engine Manufacturers Association (EMA), together with the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) and the Auto Care Association (AutoCare) are pleased to announce today's signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the access to heavy-duty vehicle service and repair information. The MOU addresses the availability of service and repair information for Model Year 2010 and later trucks and buses over five tonnes sold in Canada and the United States.

The landmark MOU will ensure that vehicle owners and independent repair facilities have access to the original equipment vehicle manufacturers (OEMs) controlled service information, tools, and parts that they need to safely and properly repair commercial vehicles. The MOU also memorializes the current industry practice of offering diagnostic tool information to third-party aftermarket tool manufacturers, thus providing owners with service options when maintaining or repairing their vehicles.

Mr. Ian Johnston, Chairman of the Board of Heavy Duty Aftermarket Canada noted the significant gains this MOU will provide to the whole Heavy Duty Industry. "This MOU is a significant move forward for the entire industry in that it will help both the OEM and aftermarket service providers to offer better service to heavy vehicle owners and operators. By having access to the most recent and correct OEM information in a timely fashion, we will be able to offer better service and repairs to our customers' increasing complex, computer driven vehicles. It will also benefit our customers by giving the vehicle owners greater consumer choice in where they get their vehicles serviced."

Right-to-Repair supporter Brian Masse (NDP Windsor-West) was pleased to hear of the MOU and stated, "We applaud the heavy duty vehicle makers and all those involved for resolving this matter in a fair and timely manner to avoid the need for the introduction of any new Canadian Legislation, which would otherwise have mandated Right-to-Repair access for the heavy duty market. The MOU now allows for the industry leaders to effectively direct its own course of action."

"The support HDAC received from the federal government, particularly Mr. Masse and retiring MPs Leon Benoit and Frank Valeriote, was instrumental in moving this issue forward for the organization," explains Jason Kerr, HDAC Director, Government Relations. "The staff at HDAC was regularly engaged with federally elected Members of Parliament as well as staff at Industry Canada to ensure government support for the industry's push for a Right-to-Repair agreement."

Under the terms of the MOU, the participating industry associations will work together to monitor the exchange of service information and address any service information access issues with the goal of helping to ensure that vehicles are properly and safely maintained with the correct parts and tools and in a more-timely manner.

HDAC and its members look forward to January 2016 when the MOU will take in effect.

About Heavy Duty Aftermarket Canada

HDAC is a non-profit organization that promotes, educates, and advocates on behalf of the heavy duty aftermarket industry in Canada. Formerly known as the Heavy Duty Distributor Council, the association was created in 1984 to represent the interests of Canadian heavy duty warehouse distributors, but its mandate has since expanded. HDAC now represents both distributor and associate members of the industry, and works to promote their best interests through its work in government relations, market research, member services and charitable endeavours. Learn more about HDAC, please visit www.hdac.ca.