The Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) announced Thursday that a first-of-its-kind warranty protection bill has been introduced in Massachusetts.
The bill is the result of several years of effort by CVSN and the Commercial Vehicle Right-to-Repair Coalition and could serve as an extension of 1974 Magnussen Moss Act, which mandated that vehicle dealers could not arbitrarily deny a warranty merely on the basis of where the replacement parts were purchased.
CVSN says because the Magnussen Moss Act only applies to consumers, for too long commercial customers have been excluded from the law's protections. Over the years, CVSN says some dealers have exploited this exclusion and forced the vehicle owner to buy from the dealer in order to maintain the warranty. CVSN has focused on this issue for years, but right to repair and access to telematics has had priority. But after recent successes in these areas, CVSN is now focused on the warranty exclusion, the organization says.
Massachusetts H2526 will mandate that all commercial vehicles listed in the state's Right to Repair Act be covered under the warranty protections listed in Magnussen Moss.
“This is one of the most important pieces of legislation for heavy-duty truck parts distributors. It is the first step in a long journey to get this passed in every state and we will need the help of every member,” says Marc Karon, president, Total Truck Parts, and chairman of CVSN's Right-to-Repair committee.
Adds Sean Ryan, president, Point Spring & Driveshaft and CVSN, "Our association remains committed to fighting for the independent aftermarket serving the commercial vehicle industry. Many of our members have first-hand experience with this issue which gives a significant disadvantage to the dealer network. This legislation is a great first step, the first of many, which aims to level that playing field.”
In an update on the bill announced May 27, Karon adds "this new proposed bill is a continuation of our efforts that have brought right to repair and access to telematics to the heavy-duty aftermarket."
CVSN Vice President Nick Seidel of Action Truck Parts added, “We are excited to have this positive development to the current Federal Magnuson Moss Warranty Act effort we are making for the commercial vehicle industry. As we expand our efforts to other states, this bill helps the commercial vehicle become more aligned with the automotive focus. It will allow heavy-duty distributors to be more confident in the products they sell and the services provided by independent repair facilities."
CVSN says it will work on the same legislation in other states until warranty protection is offered everywhere truck parts are sold.
