Despite Car Companies' Attempts to Kill 'The Right to Repair Act' in a Subcommittee Vote

CARE Says 'We've Just Begun to Fight'

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 25 -- "Despite the attempts by the car companies and their car dealerships to kill 'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, HR 2048,' motoring consumers and the independent auto repair industry won the first round in a 14 to 13 vote in the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection," stated David Parde, president, The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE).

"False arguments and innuendoes have been hurled by the car companies against the independent repair industry since the initial introduction of 'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act.' Accusations that the automotive aftermarket would make parts in China, hurt jobs in America, steal intellectual property and other non-truths, were circulated by the car companies to scare many Representatives from supporting HR 2048.

"However, many stuck with America's motoring consumers and cast their vote in favor of consumers owning their own auto repair information and protecting consumers' rights. Those who voted to keep America's consumers driving deserve consumers' gratitude for withstanding the pressure from the car companies.

"'The Right to Repair Act,' as it is often known, was reintroduced in May 2005, by U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX), Chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Motoring consumers nationwide and throughout Texas owe Chairman Barton a debt of gratitude for literally fighting to protect motorists' rights," continued Parde.

"The next stop for 'The Right to Repair Act' is the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. A date has not yet been scheduled, but motoring consumers and the automotive aftermarket are prepared to fight on until HR 2048 becomes law," concluded Parde.

The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) is a national organization representing companies in the automotive aftermarket, among them: NAPA, CARQUEST, AutoZone, Advance Auto, O'Reilly's and CSK Auto (parent company of Checker, Schucks, Kragen). Five million people nationwide are employed in the aftermarket in over 495,000 locations, including "mom and pop" shops.

Call CARE for a list of how Subcommittee Representatives voted: +1-800-229-5380