In its General Presentation, February-2014, D’Ieteren, parent of Belron US, uses in the Market & Strategy Summary* a new “market driver” factor they’re calling “Government policy”. I believe that’s clearly a reference to the two big legal developments of 2013:
1) The precedent setting CT law and the unsettling potential that if that law stands other states may adopt similar laws.
2) In Florida and Indiana, potential government intervention resulting from the ongoing anti-trust suits by the collision repair industry.

Success in any or all of these cases could have a domino effect which would have positive long-term implications for the AGRR industry as a whole as many more insurance jobs will be available to many more shops. The implications for Belron US would not be as positive. It would effectively cripple their current US model.

These ongoing “government policy” cases, if ultimately resolved in favor of the consumer’s right to legitimate choice over an insurance company’s desire (through its TPA) to unduly influence and control that choice for the purpose of self-enrichment and market control, would clearly undo the giant’s ability to feed itself through what has been generally and consistently characterized in court documents as consumer deception, illegal steering, and price fixing.

While the final disposition of those legal/government matters is uncertain and ways off, the fact that the potential for it to be a “market driving” factor is even mentioned by Belron speaks volumes.

I think perhaps the giant is seeing David on the horizon with his sling...and he's approaching fast.

* - http://www.dieteren.com/wp-content/uploads/General-Presentation_February-2014.pdf