Demanding The Right To Repair

With India joining the global ‘Right To Repair’ movement, Ashish Bhatia is optimistic about the equilibrium being restored in automotive.

- Asish Bhatia

A global movement, ‘RightTo-Repair’ is customer-centric and aims to be an equaliser. The movement advocates for the right of individuals and small businesses to repair and modify their own electronic devices, appliances, and other products. If adhered to, in the automotive space, the aftermarket, it would have a domino effect on the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) business including on the services business. In the aftermarket as a whole, wherein OEMs and suppliers prescribe genuine parts and accessories from the parent brand, today, the growing electronic content per vehicle has rendered the unorganised aftermarket helpless to an extent. With no choice but to redirect to the authorised workshops deemed equipped to do a better job. The movement, aims to increase access to repair manuals, parts, and diagnostic tools, as well as to promote repair-friendly design practices in manufacturing. It aligns well with the DoIt-Yourself (DIY) approach that is trending on social media.