Growing Congressional Support of "Right to Repair Act"

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Following the bipartisan introduction of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 1449) into the 112th Congress, support of the pending legislation has reached 28 to date, according to Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).  

"We are very pleased and encouraged by the growing Congressional support for the Right to Repair Act," said Schmatz.  "The momentum for this important legislation demonstrates the commitment by many members of Congress to ensure that motorists in their districts can continue to obtain affordable and convenient repairs for their vehicles."  

The bipartisan-sponsored Right to Repair Act was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Todd Russell Platts (R-PA).  Joining them as co-sponsors of HR 1449 are Reps. Michael Capuano (D-MA), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Anna Eshoo (D-CA), Bob Filner (D-CA), Michael Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Barney Frank (D-MA), Marcia Fudge (D-OH), Jim Gerlach (R-PA), Michael Honda (D-CA), John Lewis (D-GA), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Tom Marino (R-PA), James McGovern (D-MA), Mike McIntyre (D-NC), Brad Miller (D-NC), James Moran (D-VA), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Charles Rangel (D-NY), Laura Richardson (D-CA), James Sensenbrenner (R-WI), Heath Shuler (D-NC), Pete Stark (D-CA), Glenn Thompson (R-PA), Niki Tsongas (D-MA) and Peter Welch (D-VT).

The Right to Repair Act levels the competitive playing field for motoring consumers and between new car dealerships and independent repair shops by requiring that car companies provide full, fair access at a reasonable cost to all non-proprietary service information, tools, computer codes 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 non-proprietary diagnostic and repair information they provide their franchised dealers.

"The Right to Repair Act is really about who owns the vehicle's repair information, the car owner or the car company. After spending thousands of dollars to purchase a vehicle, consumers should not be denied the right to have that vehicle repaired at the facility of their choice," said Sandy Bass-Cors, executive director of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE).  "The Right to Repair Act does not cost tax payers money, but makes sure that motorists, and not the vehicle manufacturers, have the final say on where their car is taken for service – a basic American right of private ownership."

About Right to Repair:
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 1449), which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Todd Platts (R-PA), 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.

SOURCE Right to Repair - Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association