Automotive Oil Change Association Renews Its Support of Right to Repair Legislation

DALLAS, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Automotive Oil Change Association (AOCA) renews its support of the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act (S 3181/HR 2057) and strongly urges Congress to pass the pro-consumer, pro-small business legislation on behalf of its members, according to Leanne Stump, executive director of AOCA.

"Americans throughout the country rely on oil change facilities for convenient local service. In order for these small businesses to be able to serve their customers, they must have access to the safety alerts and repair information necessary to provide basic maintenance services and safety checks on today's modern vehicles," said Stump. "We have a growing concern that important repair information is being denied or not released in a timely manner to our members, including simple filter applications and fluid capacities that are fundamental to their survival."

The Right to Repair Act protects motoring consumers 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. The legislation 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 to the independent vehicle repair market.

"I think most motorists would agree that they should not be forced back to the dealer for any service, particularly something as simple as an oil change," continued Stump. "Passage of the Right to Repair Act would ensure that all automotive repair facilities, including quick lubes, remain competitive so that car owners can conveniently and affordably have their vehicles serviced at the shop of their choice."

The Right to Repair Act has bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. The Senate version of the bill (S 3181) was recently introduced by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS) and has 5 co-sponsors. The House version (HR 2057) was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) and currently has 69 co-sponsors.

About AOCA:

The Dallas-based Automotive Oil Change Association is a non-profit trade organization representing the convenient automotive maintenance industry. AOCA is dedicated to enhancing the competency of fast lube owners, educating the public about services their members offer, and maintaining a favorable business environment for the industry as a whole. For more information on AOCA, visit www.aoca.org.

About Right to Repair:

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (S 3181) was introduced into the Senate by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) and Sam Brownback (R-KS). The House version of the bill (HR 2057) was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA).  The Right to Repair Act protects consumers from a growing vehicle repair monopoly by requiring 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. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.righttorepair.org.

SOURCE Right to Repair Act - Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association