More Congressional Support for 'Right to Repair' Legislation

BETHESDA, Md., Dec. 19, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As Congress approaches its holiday recess, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) gained two more supporters, it was announced today by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Reps. Dennis Moore (D-KS) and Michael Honda (D-CA) have joined a growing list of the bill's sponsors.

Because 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.

"We want to thank Reps. Moore and Honda for their support of this vital piece of legislation and their commitment to ensuring that their constituents retain the ability to choose where to have their vehicle serviced and repaired," said Schmatz. "The fact is that there aren't enough new car dealerships in all the right places to keep every motor vehicle serviced, repaired and operating safely. 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."

A complete list of co-sponsors and a copy of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) can be found by visiting www.righttorepair.org.

About Right to Repair:

The Right to Repair Act, 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.