Industry Supports House Car Repair Bill
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) was recently introduced in Congress to protect the rights of car owners to decide where and how they have their vehicles serviced, whether at the new car dealer or an independent service facility, according to a group that represents auto repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets.
"In the United States, there are nearly 225 million vehicles and only 21,640 car dealerships. I'm not great in math, but 225,000,000 divided by 21,640 looks like the makings of a disaster for American consumers unless something is done," says Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). "The growing congressional support of the Right to Repair Act shows that Congress is taking this piece of legislation very seriously and wants their constituents to have the right to choose where to have their vehicles
serviced and repaired."
The need for so-called Right to Repair legislation has become apparent due to the increasing use of computers and electronics which control nearly every vehicle function from safety and emissions to entertainment, AIAA says. Although these computers provide many benefits to motorists through improved fuel efficiency, comfort and safety, they also provide increasing opportunities for car companies to lock out access by car owners and the independent
repair shops where they choose to obtain service for their vehicles, it adds. The Right to Repair Act would mandate that car companies provide full access to all tools and service information needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive playing field between dealers and independent repair shops, AIAA says.
"This legislation is all about who owns the car owner's vehicle, the car owner or the car company. Right to Repair ensures that car owners can continue to enjoy the convenience and affordability of having their vehicle serviced at the repair shop of their choice, whether it's their
neighborhood repair shop or a franchised dealership," says Schmatz.
The Right to Repair Act (HR 2694), which was introduced by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide their to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for
their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers, according to AIAA. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements.
Watch more breaking news on our video feed:
Bookmark http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/ and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
"In the United States, there are nearly 225 million vehicles and only 21,640 car dealerships. I'm not great in math, but 225,000,000 divided by 21,640 looks like the makings of a disaster for American consumers unless something is done," says Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). "The growing congressional support of the Right to Repair Act shows that Congress is taking this piece of legislation very seriously and wants their constituents to have the right to choose where to have their vehicles
serviced and repaired."
The need for so-called Right to Repair legislation has become apparent due to the increasing use of computers and electronics which control nearly every vehicle function from safety and emissions to entertainment, AIAA says. Although these computers provide many benefits to motorists through improved fuel efficiency, comfort and safety, they also provide increasing opportunities for car companies to lock out access by car owners and the independent
repair shops where they choose to obtain service for their vehicles, it adds. The Right to Repair Act would mandate that car companies provide full access to all tools and service information needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive playing field between dealers and independent repair shops, AIAA says.
"This legislation is all about who owns the car owner's vehicle, the car owner or the car company. Right to Repair ensures that car owners can continue to enjoy the convenience and affordability of having their vehicle serviced at the repair shop of their choice, whether it's their
neighborhood repair shop or a franchised dealership," says Schmatz.
The Right to Repair Act (HR 2694), which was introduced by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide their to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for
their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers, according to AIAA. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements.
Watch more breaking news on our video feed:
Bookmark http://onthehillblog.blogspot.com/ and drop back in for more news from the nation's capital.
Labels: auto, car repair, Edolphus Towns, House, HR 2694, Right to Repair Act
posted by Scott Nance at
1:31 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home