Your Source for Up-To-Date News and Research on the Collision Repair Industry 

 

click here to subscribe to the FREE INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alert Email

SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY
Today's News
INSIGHT This Month
INSIGHT Archives
Survey Center
Letter to the Editor

Business Tools
Subscription Information
CSI Reporting
Financial Analysis
IRS Audit Guide

Management/
Technical Info
Market Watch Rates
INSIGHT Inside this month's issue...

Feedback
Letter to the Editor

Coalition for Auto Repair Equality and AAIA Applaud Reintroduction of Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act

"The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality, on behalf of its members, the hard working men and women in the automotive aftermarket and motoring consumers, applauds U.S. Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) for today reintroducing HR 2735, The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act," stated CARE President David Parde.

"HR 2735 allows motoring consumers to own the repair and service information on their own property -- this time their vehicles, so that they -- and not the car companies -- can decide how and where to have their vehicles serviced and whose parts they wish to purchase, even allowing accessibility to those who wish to work on their own vehicles themselves.

"HR 2735 protects the rights and investments of those who have purchased their vehicles and want a choice of where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired.

"Today's vehicles are equipped with computers that control the service and repair information on vital systems such as: air bags, brakes, transmissions, steering mechanisms, ignition, ignition keys, climate control and sound systems. With this type of sophistication it is more important than ever that consumers have as many choices as possible as to where to take their vehicles for service and repairs.

"This competition in turn helps keep prices competitive and affordable for everyone. Reps. Barton and Towns moved forward with their "Fair Repair" consumer choice bill because they know that competition and the free-market are the back-bones of America," concluded Parde.

CARE, headquartered in Alexandria, VA, represents companies in the automotive aftermarket, among them: NAPA, Midas, CARQUEST, AutoZone, Advance Auto, Jiffy Lube, O'Reilly's Auto Parts and CSK Auto (parent company of Checker, Schucks, Kragen). Five million people work in the automotive aftermarket in over 495,000 locations.

Since the February Automotive Aftermarket Legislative Summit, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) have worked non-stop to build support and obtain co-sponsors for this industry-critical legislation.

The bill would ensure that car owners continue to have access to the most affordable and convenient vehicle repair market in the world. Specifically, the legislation would mandate that the Federal Trade Commission issue rules that would require car companies to make available all tools and information necessary to service today’s sophisticated vehicle systems

“By ensuring the availability of information for all vehicle systems, passage of HR 2735 would continue the progress made by the aftermarket in securing regulations federally and in California that currently only require access to emissions-related information and tools,” said Alfred L. Gaspar, AAIA president and CEO. “While car companies have moved toward making more information available, we need to ensure the future of competition for our industry and car owners by the passage of strong right to repair legislation.”

“The key to success of this long-awaited legislation will be the efforts of the aftermarket companies and their customers to push Congress for passage,” said James Eady, AWDA president. “With strong opposition expected from the car companies, it is critical for every aftermarket company and their customers to contact their elected officials urging passage of right to repair legislation.”

The legislation was referred to the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is a Bethesda, Md.-based association whose member companies manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies. The organization is comprised of manufacturers, distributors, jobbers, wholesalers, retailers, manufacturer’s representatives and other companies doing business in the automotive aftermarket. AAIA formerly served the aftermarket as APAA and ASIA.

©2003 Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT
All Rights Reserved

FEATURED
LINKS:

INSIGHT Supports the NABC!
Do You?