PROVIDENCE, RI--October 15, 2012: Saying that there should be no compromise when it comes to the rights of vehicle owners, AAA Southern New England is calling on Massachusetts voters to vote "yes" on Question 1 on the November election ballot.
“Yes, the 'right to repair' legislation passed this year was a victory for consumers, but it doesn't go far enough to assure that vehicle owners won't have to compromise their repair and possible privacy rights due to a last-minute legislative loophole.”
Question 1 would require auto manufacturers to make all service and diagnostic information available to consumers and independent repair shops -- not just their franchised dealership service centers.
"AAA wholeheartedly believes that motor vehicle owners have the right to choose where they want to have their vehicles repaired," said Mark A. Shaw, AAA Southern New England President and CEO. "Your vehicle produces valuable information about its health and condition. AAA thinks you should own this information, all of it, and should be free to share it as you see fit."
Earlier this year, the Massachusetts legislature passed a compromise bill that addressed some of the concerns of AAA. However, the compromise bill doesn't require automakers to share all of the information on telematics. This is information which would allow some pending vehicle problems to be diagnosed remotely.
"We believe that the compromise grants concessions to the automakers that provide loopholes for them to continue guarding vehicle information," Mr. Shaw said.
AAA, acting on behalf of its more than two million members in Massachusetts, monitors automotive trends and emerging technologies in order to develop and improve vehicle-related benefits for members. In addition, AAA assists members and all motorists by being a valuable resource in the development of industry guidelines, regulations, legislation and best practices.
"Massachusetts is setting the standard by which this vital consumer protection issue is defined, and will be the model for the rest of the nation," Mr. Shaw said. "Yes, the 'right to repair' legislation passed this year was a victory for consumers, but it doesn't go far enough to assure that vehicle owners won't have to compromise their repair and possible privacy rights due to a last-minute legislative loophole."
Repair--Anywhere is the name of AAA's campaign in favor of Question 1 on the Massachusetts ballot. More information is available at Repair Anywhere.
AAA Southern New England is a not-for-profit auto club with 46 offices in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut, providing more than 3 million local AAA members with travel, insurance, finance, and auto-related services.
