More Congressional Support for 'Right to Repair'

45 Sponsors Support H.R. 2694

BETHESDA, Md., April 10, 2008; Following the announcement of two new sponsors last week, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) gained three more supporters this week; it was announced today by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Reps. Richard Neal (D-MA), Carol Shea (D-NH) and Ike Skelton (D-MO) have joined a growing list of the bill's sponsors.

"We want to thank Reps. Neal, Shea and Skelton for supporting this important piece of legislation," said Schmatz. "The growing momentum of support for the Right to Repair Act demonstrates the commitment by many members of Congress to ensuring that their constituents, and not the large car companies, retain the choice of where to have their vehicle serviced and repaired."

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.

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.