What does CECRA do?
CECRA is the European umbrella organisation regrouping national automotive trade associations and European brand dealer councils
Acting as a watchdog, ensuring the interests of authorized dealers and repairers are taken into due account by European regulatory bodies
CECRA's 'Best Practice'
platform offers its members a real added value enabling them to learn more about new tendencies and best practices in place
Welcome to
The Voice of European vehicle dealers and repairers
Representing 336,720 enterprises of automotive trade and repair businesses
Latest News
Joint statement on the European Commission's Strategic Dialogue on the Future of the Automotive Sector
Brussels, 31/01/2025
CECRA welcomes the launch of this important initiative. However, the challenges facing the sector go far beyond the limited scope of the first Dialogue.
The automotive retail chain—from the first sale to the final scrappage of a vehicle—plays a crucial role in driving digitalisation and sustainability across the EU. It strengthens Europe's economic and industrial backbone while addressing pressing challenges in the sector. To fully unlock this potential, the entire aftermarket must be included in the discussion.
We call on the European Commission to ensure that all stakeholders—from manufacturers and dealers to recyclers and end-users—are involved in shaping the future of the industry. Only by taking a comprehensive, holistic approach can we drive innovation, sustainability, and economic resilience in Europe's automotive sector.
We urge the European Commission to ensure that all key players are included in the next steps of this process.
FAGENAUTO joins CECRA to strengthen representation of the automotive sector at EU level
Brussels, 29/01/2025
The Federation of Associations of Official Automotive Agents (FAGENAUTO), which represents automotive agents and service providers in Spain, has officially joined CECRA. With this integration, FAGENAUTO strengthens its mission to ensure that automotive agents continue to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the industry at a European level.
CECRA is pleased to welcome FAGENAUTO. This collaboration is a significant milestone in CECRA’s ongoing effort to unite and represent the interests of automotive distributors and repairers across Europe.
FAGENAUTO's membership in CECRA will further enhance the collective voice of the automotive distribution and repair businesses in Europe. CECRA’s strong network, consisting of 19 national trade organisations and European brand dealer councils, has consistently worked to advocate for the interests of businesses in the automotive sector.
This new partnership is set to amplify the sector’s ability to influence policy-making, legislative frameworks, and market dynamics across Europe. CECRA continues to grow in its capacity to represent the diverse needs of the automotive trade and aftersales community, ensuring that it plays a central role in driving innovation, sustainability, and the development of a green, digital, and competitive future for the industry.
“We are delighted to welcome FAGENAUTO as a member of CECRA,” said Peter Daeninck, President of CECRA. “Their expertise and strong presence in Spain will be invaluable in enhancing our efforts to protect and promote the interests of our sector at the European level. Together, we will continue to ensure that the sector has a strong and influential voice within EU policy discussions.”
FAGENAUTO’s decision to join CECRA highlights the growing importance of cooperation and collaboration in a sector that is increasingly impacted by regulatory changes, technological innovation, and shifting consumer demands. The partnership will contribute to more comprehensive representation of the sector’s interests and support the development of new policies and initiatives that benefit all industry stakeholders.
An early revision of CO2 emission standards regulations should be driven by technology openness
Brussels, 22/10/2024
​Joint statement signed by CECRA
European automotive aftermarket calls for urgent action on in-vehicle access Brussels, 17/10/2024
As the automotive industry transitions toward a future shaped by data-driven services, the European Alliance for the Freedom of Car Repair (AFCAR), representing key stakeholders in the aftermarket sector, calls for immediate action to guarantee fair and open access to in-vehicle data. CECRA, a member of AFCAR, supports this urgent appeal to the European Commission for regulatory measures that protect competition, foster innovation, and ensure consumer choice in the automotive repair industry.
Access to in-vehicle data is not merely a technical requirement; it is a critical component for the development of new, data-enabled services. The aftermarket sector must be granted direct, unrestricted, unmonitored, and real-time access to this data to remain competitive and innovate effectively. The current barriers to accessing vehicle data threaten the sector’s ability to deliver the quality and variety of services consumers expect and deserve.
The European Commission’s stated mission to enhance competition must address the ongoing obstacles in the European data services market. AFCAR has addressed a letter to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the Commission to prioritize a legal framework for vehicle data access within the first 100 days of its new term.
Despite the Commission’s recognition of the need for such regulation, a proposal initially prepared with input from extensive consultations and fact-based evidence from various studies remains stalled. The draft proposal even received a favorable opinion from the Regulatory Scrutiny Board on its impact assessment. However, the European elections delayed its progress, and aftermarket stakeholders are now calling for its swift reintroduction.
“The automotive aftermarket is at a critical juncture. Ensuring direct and unrestricted access to in-vehicle data is essential for maintaining a competitive and consumer-friendly landscape. We urge the European Commission to act swiftly to protect the future of the sector and the choices available to millions of consumers.”
AFCAR and its members, including CECRA, emphasize that without a comprehensive legal framework, innovation will be stifled, competition diminished, and consumers left with fewer options for vehicle repair and maintenance services. The European Commission must act now to bring forward the already prepared proposal on access to in-vehicle data, functions, and resources.
