5 Things You Need to Know About the New INFO 05 Standards

If you work in the automotive industry, you’ve likely heard about the new INFO 05 Standards. Introduced in late 2020, these standards will have a significant impact on the way vehicle information is shared between manufacturers, dealerships, and repair shops. But what exactly are the INFO 05 Standards, and what do they mean for the industry as a whole?

Here are five key things you need to know about the new INFO 05 Standards:

1. They are designed to promote transparency and competition.
One of the primary goals of the INFO 05 Standards is to make it easier for consumers to comparison-shop for vehicle repairs and maintenance. By standardizing the way vehicle information is shared between different parts of the industry (such as between manufacturers and repair shops), it will be easier for independent repair shops to access the information they need to compete with dealerships.

2. They require increased access to diagnostic information.
Under the INFO 05 Standards, manufacturers will be required to provide access to diagnostic information for both mechanical and electronic systems. This means that independent repair shops will have access to the same information as dealerships when working on a vehicle, potentially leveling the playing field in terms of repair rates and quality.

3. They include provisions for cybersecurity.
As vehicles become increasingly connected and reliant on electronic systems, cybersecurity is becoming an area of increasing concern. The INFO 05 Standards include provisions for securing access to vehicle data in order to protect against hacking and other cyber threats.

4. They are being rolled out gradually.
The INFO 05 Standards have already begun to take effect, but they will be phased in gradually over the coming years. By 2022, manufacturers will be required to provide access to a minimum set of diagnostic information. By 2024, they will be required to provide access to a more comprehensive set of information.

5. They could have far-reaching implications.
While the INFO 05 Standards are designed to promote transparency and competition, they could have far-reaching implications for the industry as a whole. As repair shops gain more access to diagnostic information, they may be able to offer more specialized and sophisticated services. This could lead to increased competition between repair shops and dealerships, potentially driving down prices and increasing the quality of repairs overall.

Overall, the new INFO 05 Standards represent a significant shift in the way vehicle information is shared and accessed across the industry. While they are designed to promote transparency and competition, they could have far-reaching implications for the automotive industry as a whole. As the standards continue to roll out, it will be interesting to see how they impact repair rates, quality, and the overall competitiveness of the industry.