The local aftermarket sector has seen a flurry of activity in recent times, with the most notable being the amalgamation of three vehicle body repair organisations.

The three associations, namely the South African Auto Body Recovery and Salvage Association, the South African Motor Body Repairers' Association and the National African Association of Automobile Service Providers, have merged under the auspices of the Retail Motor Industry (RMI) to form the Motor Body Repairers' Forum.

RMI chief executive Jeff Osborne has been appointed chairman of the new organization.

In separate news, DaimlerChrysler and BMW recently scored a notable victory in the fight against counterfeit vehicle part importers.

The two manufacturers won their three-year court battle against Sterling Auto Distributors, who has agreed to deliver a container of parts detained by the South African Revenue Service to the two manufacturers.

The consignment evidently comprised 3 000 items, including body panels, lights and radiator grilles, imported from Taiwan.