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Letter to the Editor

Senate Version of Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act Introduced

U.S. Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., has introduced the Senate version of House Resolution 2735, "The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act."

"This legislation is proof positive that what is good for small business is good for the consumer," Wellstone said. "The big manufacturing companies are acting like a cartel, and it is hurting independent auto mechanics and car owners alike.

"In April, I met with a group of [Automotive Service Association] auto repair shop owners from Minnesota who told me that some auto manufacturers are effectively preventing them from working on newer cars. The last thing America needs is another industry where all the little guys - the small, independent businesses - are driven out. It is terrible for our communities that lose businesses and jobs, and reduced competition means higher prices for the consumer," Wellstone said.

"ASA is pleased that Sen. Wellstone has agreed to take the lead in the Senate on this important piece of legislation," said Bob Redding, the Automotive Service Association's (ASA) Washington, D.C., representative.

The legislation requires original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to provide access to service information, both emissions and non-emissions, to the independent repairer. ASA supports this legislation and encourages its members to contact their Senators and ask them to support this bill.

"This bill provides independent repairers with the information they need to properly repair motor vehicles," said Redding. "Vehicle owners want service information to be made available to the independent repairer."

Reps. Joe Barton, R-Texas, and Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., both members of the House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee, introduced H.R. 2735 last year. Currently, H.R. 2735 has 38 co-sponsors and was referred to the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee. Towns is the ranking member of that subcommittee.

Thousands of consumers have signed petitions, provided by ASA, in all 50 states. ASA presented the petitions to Towns during its Annual Convention held in April in Washington, D.C.

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