ACCC releases ag machinery market study findings

6 May 2021

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released the findings from its agricultural machinery market study. Members of the VACC Farm and Industrial Machinery Dealer Association (FIMDA) and Motorcycle Industry Division (MID) are encouraged to review the Agricultural machinery market study report. 

FIMDA and MID members are thanked for their important contribution to a Chamber submission – which helped inform the ACCC report. The Chamber submission focussed on access to service and repair information and the critical need for an equal playing field for FIMDA dealers and independent repairers. Additionally, it flagged the importance for farmers to be made aware of the ramifications associated with attempting to repair a piece of farm machinery without the proper training and equipment.

Key ACCC report recommendations: 

• agricultural machinery be considered for inclusion in the motor vehicle service and repair information-sharing scheme
• agricultural machinery be included as part of any broader right to repair scheme introduced in Australia
• manufacturers and dealers provide clear and concise information to purchasers about warranties at the earliest practical opportunity in the sales process and before the point-of-sale
• manufacturers continue to adopt ISO data standards to promote interoperability between brands of machinery.

Furthermore, the ACCC reply – in which VACC and its national body, the Motor Trades Association of Australia are mentioned prominently – highlights the frustration experienced by FIMDA members seeking to claim reimbursement from OEMs for Australian Consumer Law (ACL) work completed on behalf of consumers, when a claim is made under the provisions of ACL. It also reveals the Commission's intention to develop guidance materials to assist purchasers of agricultural machinery to understand their business and consumer rights.

A related Bulletin has been distributed to Chamber members.