The Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, CAR (Consumer Access to Repair) Coalition, and Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN) applaud the reintroduction of the REPAIR Act into Congress on Tuesday.
The bill was introduced by a bipartisan group of representatives: Neal Dunn (R-FL-02); Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02); Warren Davidson (R-OH-08); and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) alongside 12 additional bipartisan members. Supporters of the REPAIR Act believe the law will protect consumers' rights to repair their vehicles while also ensuring the continued safe operation of the nation's 292 million registered passenger and commercial motor vehicles — 70% of which are currently maintained by independent repair facilities.
Those opposed to the law such as manufacturers and dealer entities state the highly advanced technological systems found on today’s commercial vehicles should only be serviced by licensed dealer professionals trained on the technology.
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The REPAIR Act safeguards vehicle owners' access to essential repair and maintenance information, ensuring independent repair shops, parts manufacturers, and aftermarket service providers can continue to offer affordable and high-quality services. With the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), telematics, and software-driven diagnostics, the legislation addresses growing concerns and existing barriers regarding fair access to repair information, supporters state.
"American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice," says Congressman Dunn. "For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops."
He adds, "Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small."
"Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to have real agency," adds Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. "It's time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation."
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Supporters state key provisions of the REPAIR Act include:
- Consumer Choice and Access: Guarantees that vehicle owners, independent repair facilities, and parts manufacturers have access to diagnostic data, tools, and software necessary for safe maintenance and repairs.
- Fair Competition: Prevents automakers from monopolizing repair information and services, allowing independent businesses to compete on a level playing field.
- Cybersecurity and Safety Protections: Ensures access to vehicle repair data is secure and does not compromise vehicle safety or cybersecurity.
- Safety and Compliance: Ensures access to critical repair data and tools needed to properly calibrate and restore brake systems, ADAS technologies, and other essential safety features, returning vehicles to their operational specifications and in compliance with federal motor vehicle safety and emissions laws, regulations, and standards.
