April 1st, 2011  (Close Blog)

This whole issue gets very complicated but in a condensed version here there was legislation passed in California which required all automakers to make security information available to the locksmiths AND you the service professional. This applied to vehicles produced starting with model year 2008. The European manufacturers were given an additional extension of 5 years, 2013. Recently BMW with the help of Senator Hernandes (LA California) have introduced a bill California SB750, to make this 5 year exception permanent. BMW (with the other European automakers in the background) feel that delivering a key within 24 hours to a stranded motorist is acceptable. The auto industry, AAA (Auto Club) are all lobbying to stop this. This is just the beginning. As our cars start using transmissions and other parts which are considered part of the immobilizer system the automaker will refuse to sell them further damaging our business and hurting our customers.

So why does this all this matter? Why would this matter at all to someone who does not face the issues of security parts? Because this is a much more complicated and ever expanding issue. If certain aspects of these restrictions are not address allowing the aftermarket a clear path to access to these parts more and more parts will become off limits damaging our businesses. Other manufacturers such as Mazda have moved in this direction, others sure to follow. This is especially important in the upcoming fight related to a provision in the Migden bill allowing certain European automakers, namely BMW, Mercedes, and VW a permanent exemption to making security data available to security professionals. This exemption is to expire this year and all data for 2013 model year and newer vehicles will need to be made available by the manufacturers. You see this is for keys AND any other security related components including the 722.9 transmission coding data. Last year BMW attempted to get the exemption made permanent which will affect all of the Euros who choose to create keys in a non-dealer facility but we were able to turn this back with the help of AAIA, AAA, and the various locksmith associations. I am convinced that unless we are proactive BMW will again attempt to circumvent this consumer protection and anti-competitive business situation in the coming months.

Regards,
Robert Beckmann