FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact:
Bryan Kelley, NWACA Past-President and ACA Legislative Committee Member
bryan@valleyautoelectric.com
Sheri Hamilton, MWACA and ACA Executive Director
sheri@autocarealliance.org
Gladstone, Mo., July 6, 2022 – The Automotive Care Alliance has agreed to support the ‘Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act’ H.R. 6570. The legislation will ensure the preservation of consumer choice, a fair marketplace and the continued safe operation of the nation’s 288 million registered passenger and commercial motor vehicles, 70% of which are maintained by independent repair facilities.
The REPAIR Act will accomplish this by:
- Preserving consumer access to high-quality and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring that vehicle owners and their repairers of choice have access to necessary repair and maintenance tools and data as vehicles continue to become more advanced.
- Ensuring access to critical repair tools and information. All tools and equipment; wireless transmission of repair and diagnostic data; and access to on-board diagnostic and telematic systems needed to repair a vehicle must be made available to the independent repair industry.
- Ensuring cybersecurity by allowing vehicle manufacturers to secure vehicle-generated data and requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to develop standards for how vehicle generated data necessary for repair can be accessed securely.
- Providing transparency for consumers by requiring vehicle owners be informed that they can choose where and how to get their vehicle repaired.
- Creating a stakeholder advisory committee and providing them with the statutory authority to provide recommendations to the FTC on how to address emerging barriers to vehicle repair and maintenance.
- Providing ongoing enforcement by establishing a process for consumers and independent repair facilities to file complaints with the FTC regarding alleged violations of the requirements in the bill and a requirement that the FTC act within five months of a claim.
“ACA looks forward to working together with all the partners and be involved in a grass roots effort to gain support for HR 6570 The Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act. The opportunity to work together with the Auto Care Association as well as other associations that already support HR6570 with a united effort will enhance our grass roots positions,” said Ross Colket, Mid-Atlantic Auto Care Alliance president and ACA Legislative Committee member.
As vehicle technology continues to forge ahead, new obstacles to a competitive auto repair market are emerging. These obstacles limit consumer choice in where to have motor vehicles repaired, as well as increase the cost to repair and maintain their vehicles. The REPAIR Act will reduce these obstacles, putting consumers’ interests and vehicle safety first.
“With the ever-advancing technology and the need for repair information, this is the time to get legislation passed. Without the ability to access technical repair manuals, wiring schematics, software updates and vehicle security systems our independent repair shops are at a major disadvantage. The time is now to keep our shops competitive and, on a level playing field with the manufacturers. I believe this legislation goes a long way in keeping us competitive,” stated Bryan Kelley, NWACA Past-President and ACA Legislative Committee member.
The Auto Care Alliance encourages its members to send a letter to their member of Congress in support of the legislation. Members are also encouraged to begin educating and encouraging consumers to support the legislation as well. A strong grassroots effort is necessary for this bill to pass, as it supports the fundamentals of competition, consumer choice and safety that we believe will benefit the motoring public and the whole automotive industry in the future.
The Auto Care Alliance serves independent automotive service professionals and was formed in January 2022. ACA currently has over 1,200 members in 40 states. For more information about the ACA and the state and regional alliances that form the Auto Care Alliance, please visit www.autocarealliance.org.
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