AAIA: 'Right to Repair' Legislation: Essential to Safety of Motoring Public

Bill Guarantees Full Access to Vehicle Safety Alerts and Repair Information

BETHESDA, Md., Nov. 14, 2007; Vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated with virtually every system either monitored or controlled by computers. Servicing these vehicle systems to keep them in safe working condition requires ready access to complete and accurate information from the car companies. The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) was introduced in Congress to ensure that car owners and their trusted repair shops have the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the franchised new car dealer network.

"The fact is that with nearly 225 million vehicles in the United States and only 21,640 car dealerships, there aren't enough dealerships in all the right places to keep every motor vehicle serviced, repaired and operating safely," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). "Right to Repair ensures that car owners can conveniently and affordably repair and maintain their vehicle's critical safety systems at the repair shop of their choice, whether it's their neighborhood repair shop or a franchised dealership."

What the "Right to Repair" bill does do:

-- Reaffims the owner's right to repair their motor vehicle and keep their passengers safe.

-- Permits vehicle owners to patronize the repair shop of their choice to service and maintain their vehicles, whether it's their neighborhood repair shop or a franchised new car dealership, leveling the competitive playing field.

-- Promotes consumer safety by allowing vehicle owners and their chosen automotive technicians access to the same information, bulletins and tools available to franchised dealers to repair and maintain late model computer controlled vehicle systems.

-- Authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce requirements in order to protect consumers and promote competition in auto maintenance and repair.

What the "Right to Repair" bill does not do:

-- It does not affect the dealer's warranty agreement with the vehicle manufacturers.

-- It does not require manufacturers to disclose manufacturing processes or trade secrets unless that information is made available to new car dealers.

A complete copy of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) can be found by visiting http://www.righttorepair.org/HR2694.pdf.

About Right to Repair:

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. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.RightToRepair.org.