Auto Industry to Oppose Oklahoma Right to Repair Act

AIAM Members Say Measure is Unnecessary and Counterproductive

ARLINGTON, Va., Feb. 5 -- The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers, Inc. (AIAM) today announced its opposition to a bill that has been introduced in the Oklahoma House of Representatives, the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act (H.B. 1584). While AIAM supports the ability of consumers to have their vehicles repaired at the places of their choice, AIAM told Oklahoma state legislators in a letter released today that the bill was unnecessary, counterproductive and did not adequately protect the intellectual property of automakers.

The Right to Repair Act would require automakers to provide information to the independent service and repair industries and to car owners.

"We want our customers to have a positive ownership experience; including being able to get a vehicle fixed quickly at whatever service facility they may choose. And that's why we view the auto service industry as our partners in serving our mutual customers, the driving public," said Mike Stanton, President of AIAM. "However, we feel this legislation is unnecessary and consumers already have a choice."

AIAM pointed out working with the National Automotive Service Task Force for the past six years, the manufacturers have made all appropriate service information accessible to repair shops. In addition, all auto manufacturers selling vehicles in the United States have thorough web sites that provide service and training information. Auto manufacturers also work with independent information providers that provide service information to repair shops.