More Massachusetts Support for Right to Repair Act; Sen. John Kerry Co-Sponsors S3181

BETHESDA, Md., May 3, 2010; Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) has become a co-sponsor of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (S 3181) which was recently introduced into the Senate by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS). Sen. Kerry's support of the pending legislation is particularly notable as Massachusetts leads the nation in advancing the Right to Repair Act at the state level.

"We applaud Sen. Kerry for supporting this very important piece of pro-consumer, pro-small business legislation on behalf of car owners in his own state of Massachusetts and those throughout the country," said Ray Pohlman, president of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). "The top priority of the Right to Repair Act is motoring consumer safety and ensuring that motorists know what is happening with their vehicles. With more than five million cars registered in Massachusetts alone, doesn't it make sense to pass the Right to Repair Act so that every repair shop has access to the same safety and repair information?"

The Right to Repair Act protects motorists from a growing and potentially hazardous vehicle repair monopoly by requiring that car companies provide full access at a reasonable cost to all service information, tools and safety-related bulletins needed to repair motor vehicles, thus leveling the competitive playing field between dealerships and independent repair shops. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets, only requiring them to make available the same diagnostic and repair information they provide their franchised dealers.

The House version of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) and currently has 61 co-sponsors. At the state level, the Massachusetts Right to Repair bill (S2268) was introduced by state Sen. Stephen J. Buoniconti, (D-West Springfield) and Rep. Garrett J. Bradley, (D-Hingham) and is awaiting a Senate floor vote before proceeding to the House.

"We are very encouraged by the growing support for the Right to Repair Act at both the federal and state levels," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). "Sen. Kerry's support reinforces the efforts of his state's legislature, especially that of Sen. Buoniconti and Rep. Bradley. They want to ensure that car owners, and not the vehicle manufacturers, have the final say on where their car is taken for service."

About Right to Repair:

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA), 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.