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Five Major Consumer Groups Endorse the National 'Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act,' States CARE


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ALEXANDRIA, VA - October 30, 2007: "Thanks to America's five major consumer organizations, which have dedicated their work to keeping consumers safer, competition alive and the environment clean, 'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act' will have an additional boost for passage," stated David Parde, president, The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE).

The letter of the consumer groups' endorsement, jointly signed by the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety; Center for Auto Safety; Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety; Consumer Federation of America; and Public Citizen, have endorsed HR 2694, The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, by stating that, "the ability to quickly and easily repair computerized vehicle systems is crucial for the safe operation of a vehicle.

"Under the bill, vehicle owners will also be able to choose, on cost and reliability grounds, between competing repair facilities and aftermarket parts. Consumer and independent service sector access to vehicle maintenance information will in turn greatly enhance overall public safety and the environmental effort to clean up our air," continued the joint statement.

Parde added to the consumers organizations' statement by stating that "'The Right to Repair Act' is about the ability of motoring consumers to actually own their vehicles' repair information, which should have been included with the purchase of the vehicle. Vehicles that are now out of warranty should not be forced back to the higher-priced car dealerships for repair work unless the consumer chooses that venue."

The consumer organizations' endorsement of 'The Right to Repair Act' says, "we request that FTC Chairman Deborah Platt Majoras, uphold her commitment to American consumers through the development of sound antitrust policy and strict enforcement in this area. We are committed to work with Chairman Majoras in order to provide to American consumers the advantages of robust competition in access to automotive repair facilities," continued the letter, which concluded with thanking sponsors of 'The Right to Repair Act' for their leadership and urging other Members of Congress to cosponsor and support 'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2007."

The joint consumer letter was signed by the leaders of the five major consumer organizations:

Jacqueline Gillan
Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety

Clarence Ditlow
Center for Auto Safety

Rosemary Shahan
Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety

Mark Silbergeld
Consumer Federation of America

Joan Claybrook
Public Citizen

The automotive aftermarket employs five million people nationwide in over 495,000 locations, including "mom and pop" shops.