'Right to Repair Act' Picks Up More Support in Congress

Reps. Cohen, DeFazio and Price Co-Sponsor H.R. 2694

BETHESDA, Md., Oct. 18, 2007; Congressional support for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694) has grown to 33 sponsors with the addition of Reps. Steve Cohen (D-TN), Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and David Price (D-NC), it was announced today by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

"We want to thank the three new co-sponsors for their commitment to ensuring that their constituents, and not the large car companies, retain the ability to choose where to have their vehicle serviced and repaired," said Schmatz. "Without the equitable access to repair information outlined in the Right to Repair Act, more and more repair shops will be forced to turn away customers and consumers will have no choice but to go to the car dealer to get their cars serviced."

Independent repair shops turn away 1.2 million consumers each year because they do not have access to the information and tools necessary to diagnose and repair their customers' vehicles, according to an independent survey conducted by Opinion Research Corporation. The increasing use of computers and electronics to control nearly every vehicle function from safety and emissions to entertainment makes passage of the Right to Repair Act even more important in the future, according to AAIA.

"These survey results show that while car companies claim the problem is solved, the reality does not support their assertions," said Schmatz. "This legislation is all about who owns the car owner's vehicle, the car owner or the car company. Right to Repair ensures that car owners can continue to enjoy the convenience and affordability of having their vehicle serviced at the repair shop of their choice, whether it's their neighborhood repair shop or a franchised dealership."

About Right to Repair:

The Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.RightToRepair.org.