The Russian Association of Automobile Services reported to socialbites.ca that Mercedes-Benz has informed the heads of dealerships about the end of support for service programs in the Russian Federation. The service stations union noted that Volkswagen Group dealers (including Audi, Skoda, Lamborghini, Porsche, SEAT, MAN subsidiaries) face restrictions on accessing internal information resources.
“Volkswagen has limited access to the repair base, but there is a gap through their dedicated service processors.
If you connect it to the diagnostic connector of the car and enter the VIN code, information about a particular car is provided, and direct access to the internal portal is closed, ”explains Alexander Pakhomov, chairman of the board of the Automobile Services Association, in an interview with socialbites.ca.
According to him, in the case of Volkswagen, there are also problems in the supply of spare parts, although the repair warranty remains. He explains that for new Mercedes-Benz models, without access to branded online resources, it is impossible, for example, to save new keys in the car’s memory, as well as to update the software of numerous electronic components.
At the same time, Korean and Japanese manufacturers do not have such restrictions.
“As far as I know, Korean and Japanese companies have given up access to dealers and are not restricting in any way.
Toyota has always had an open and loyal policy for using its software.
The first person to send an official letter about this is Mercedes-Benz,” he said.
Dealers of diagnostic equipment for car services point out that the problem of closing automakers’ access to information primarily affects official dealers. Carmod, a company that sells diagnostic equipment, told socialbites.ca that independent repairmen who previously had access to necessary information through workarounds will continue to do so.
“BMW is doing great the way it is. If you use some workarounds, you can find options,
– said a representative of the company “socialbites.ca”, who introduced himself as Maxim.
According to him, no problems are expected in the diagnosis of Hyundai and Kia cars. The expert said that although new models of Korean brands can also be diagnosed online, their functionality can be verified using alternative diagnostic scanners that support Hyundai software under an OEM contract.
“So far, the problem is mostly with new Mercedes-Benz vehicles that started in 2016.
With them, without connecting to the servers, the official dealer will be able to do almost nothing, update the firmware. But workarounds have always been and always will be,” the interlocutor said without specifying which ones.
Alexander Pakhomov of the Automobile Services Association says that alternative means of accessing the servers of European car companies will lead to increased repair costs, because such access is also associated with costs.
“Unfortunately, there is no legislation in Russia that obliges the manufacturer of a car entering the market to provide information to all market players, as in the European Union, the United States, Brazil, Turkey or China.
It exists all over the world, but we do not have it”
Pahomov complains.
And in English
Lack of access to information from automakers will make vehicle maintenance difficult, but still doesn’t make it impossible, as service information for cars already sold in Russia is mostly available offline, says Oleg Moseev, founder of the Automarketologist project.
“We will not buy scanners for new models, but new models are not expected either. If basically new machines are imported via parallel import, the problem of getting programs to diagnose them will arise,” says Moseev.
According to him, in addition to the Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen Group brands, British Jaguar Land Rover dealers also faced the problem of not being able to connect to the servers of the automakers. However, dealers somehow find a solution to the problem.
“We have a large conglomerate of dealerships that supply Mazda models to Russia via parallel imports, which are not officially delivered, and they are doing well in service.
Nobody canceled a software purchase from a friendly vendor in a friendly country,
Moseev concluded his speech.
Sergey Parshikov, deputy general director for services of the Avilon automobile group, states in an interview with socialbites.ca that it is impossible to predict in advance what restrictions will be imposed by this or that automaker.
“Now, dealers are actively developing an action plan for various scenarios so that their customers are not left without support.
“One thing is certain, the problems that arise will be resolved, it’s just a matter of time,” he said.
Representatives of most auto companies that have stopped delivering cars to Russia did not answer socialbites.ca’s questions about restricting access to dealer software. BMW previously told socialbites.ca that customers continue to receive a wide range of aftermarket car services. The Russian office of Japanese Suzuki reported that no restrictions were imposed on this issue.
“Suzuki Motor Rus always stays in touch with its customers and partners, providing comprehensive support. Suzuki’s press service told socialbites.ca that representatives of the official dealership can receive any information with Suzuki in Russia at any time, including through internal online services, through various communication channels.