Quantcast
Jump to content

  • Welcome to Auto Parts Forum

    Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Google, and LinkedIn. 

     

HDA Truck Pride’s Tina Hubbard on Baseball, Right to Repair


Recommended Posts

rssImage-db226466cf6980246bbcea2ad5396023.jpeg

In

link hidden, please login to view
, we gave leaders from the major distribution groups and trade associations an opportunity to reflect on the most critical issues affecting the automotive aftermarket. For the second year in a row, we let distribution leaders “riff” on these topics in their own words.

Here’s what Tina Hubbard, president and CEO of HDA Truck Pride, had to say on one of the most critical issues facing the automotive aftermarket today: Right to Repair.

Have you ever heard of the Congressional Baseball Game? No? Don’t fret: Until recently, I didn’t either! 

Established in 1909 and set at Nationals Park, the game features actual members of the U.S. Congress playing America’s favorite pastime. Pitting Democrats against Republicans, members of Congress practice for months prior to the game and positively look forward to this annual charitable event. The halls of Congress are bustling, hotels are sold-out, and crowds of people are drawn to Washington, D.C. You may be asking: What does this have to do with our industry? Well, what a perfect time to meet with Congress and their staff to talk about the most important issue facing our industry: Right to Repair!

Established in 1909 and set at Nationals Park, the game features actual members of the U.S. Congress playing America’s favorite pastime. You may be asking: What does this have to do with our industry? Well, what a perfect time to meet with Congress and their staff to talk about the most important issue facing our industry: Right to Repair!

This year’s event took place on June 14, and HDA Truck Pride took full advantage of the opportunity. The Auto Care Association created an opportunity for HDA Truck Pride and Fleet Pride to co-sponsor a tailgate party prior to the game and to meet with strategically chosen Congressional teams. This event gave our industry the opportunity to speak with more than 200 Congressional staff members, with 20 sit-down meetings over two days, about the importance of Right to Repair. Our message was simple and stressed the importance of our industry in everyday life. The simple phrase “If you bought it, a truck brought it” drove the point home and opened candid and lively conversations about Right to Repair. 

As we met with the various offices of Congress, we talked about the essence of the Right to Repair. Our message was that this is about the freedom of choice and access for everyone. The aftermarket, and especially the commercial-vehicle aftermarket, is a vital necessity to keeping our country moving. Critically important to this industry is “uptime,” and if the vehicle isn’t moving, we’re all losing.

Coincidentally, while our industry was advocating on The Hill, NHTSA presented a letter to the Counsel for Vehicle Manufacturers refuting the Right to Repair initiative based on safety concerns. The letter was extremely wordy, and we feel misinterpreted the Massachusetts “Data-Access Law,” but most certainly focused on passenger cars and the light-vehicle market. Even more interesting is the fact that as soon as we left D.C., a letter from American Truck Dealers arrived at the doorsteps of the Energy and Commerce Committee strongly opposing the REPAIR Act (H.R. 906).

Why am I writing about this? Because it’s working! Our voices are being heard. And our competition is ramping up and getting louder! 

We are stronger together as a united voice. While our opposition is large and has deep pockets, our industry is mighty and massive as well. The only way to win is for every one of us to get involved. You can do this quickly by visiting

link hidden, please login to view
to send a letter to the your local federal legislators and by visiting
link hidden, please login to view
to learn how to engage on a much deeper level. I implore you to join the industry in our fight to support the Right to Repair. Now is our time!

The post

link hidden, please login to view
appeared first on
link hidden, please login to view
.

link hidden, please login to view

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Topics

    • By Counterman
      Right to Repair has notched another victory.
      On Nov. 7, Ballot Question 4 in Maine asked this question: “Do you want to require vehicle manufacturers to standardize on-board diagnostic systems and provide remote access to those systems and mechanical data to owners and independent repair facilities?”
      At press time, more than 80% of Maine voters had answered “yes,” ensuring that vehicle owners and the independent repair shops of their choice can access the diagnostic tools and data necessary for routine repairs.
      “The result of [Tuesday’s] election in Maine proved another victory for the American consumer and the Right-to-Repair movement that is gaining support across the United States,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The right to repair is one of a few unifying issues our nation faces, and whether we achieve repair access chamber by chamber or state by state, I am confident that every American will soon have the fundamental right to repair what belongs to them. Right to repair isn’t going away and this victory demonstrates that it’s an issue that needs to be resolved.” 
      The Maine vote comes after movement on the federal level to advance the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act (H.R. 906). Last week, a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee unanimously voted to advance the bipartisan REPAIR Act to the full committee for consideration.
      “Maine voters’ overwhelming show of support for Question 4 adds momentum to the growing national push for right-to-repair protections,” CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said. “The CAR Coalition will continue this important fight at the federal level with bipartisan bills like the SMART and REPAIR Acts to ensure every American – no matter where they live – has the right to repair the car they own.”
      Meanwhile, John Bozzella, president and CEO of the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, said the results in Maine were “disappointing but hardly surprising.”
      “Out-of-state, big-box auto retailers – that don’t speak for independent auto repairers – spent nearly $5 million trying to scare Mainers into thinking that the right to repair their vehicles was going away,” Bozzella said in a statement. “It will not go away. Automotive Right to Repair already exists. Mainers can get their vehicle repaired anywhere, anytime, anyplace. That was true yesterday, and it’s true today and tomorrow.”
      Tommy Hickey, director of the Maine Automotive Right to Repair Coalition, told the Portland Press Herald that the next step is to meet with Maine’s attorney general and help guide the state on the best approach for implementing the law.
      In the news article, Hickey called Maine and Massachusetts the “godfathers” of the Right-to-Repair movement.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Dorman Products
      Intake manifold repair for RAM/Jeep EcoDiesels | Dorman OE FIX 615-311
    • By Dorman Products
      The best way to help customers find your auto repair shop | Set up your Google Business Profile
    • By Counterman
      Members of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce discussed the REPAIR Act (HR 906) Wednesday on Capitol Hill.
      The bipartisan Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act would provide consumers with expanded repair options by ensuring that vehicle owners can access repair data and tools needed to repair their vehicles. U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, introduced the REPAIR Act on Feb. 9. Since then, the bill has picked up co-sponsors from both sides of the aisle.
      During the hearing, subcommittee ranking member Jan Schakowsky, an Illinois Democrat, said she has heard from many of her constituents about the issue of Right to Repair, and that the owners and repairers should have access to the vehicle data needed to make repairs. 
      During her opening testimony, Schakowsky also said she is “very much supportive” of the REPAIR Act.
      Dunn emphasized that when consumers buy a vehicle, they should own that vehicle, including the right to have it repaired.
      “When I buy a product, a house, a motorcycle, an airplane, it belongs to me,” Dunn said during the hearing. “When consumers buy vehicles, the options to repair or service those vehicles [are] being increasingly restricted. … As vehicle data becomes more important to make repairs, it’s unacceptable for the vehicle manufacturers to exclude independent repair shops from accessing that data, especially if they’re the owner.”
      He added: “I think forcing auto owners back into dealerships for repairs not only leaves a huge existing industry behind, but it [also] veers toward vertical integration and monopolistic behavior. The REPAIR Act fixes this, just like the hard-working mechanics who fix our cars.”
      According to a recent YouGov Survey of 1,000 vehicle owners conducted this summer, a sizable majority of Americans support a federal vehicle right-to-repair law that would prevent automakers from restricting vehicle owners’ repair options.
      Americans believe they should be able to decide where and by whom they have their vehicle repaired as well as who has access to their vehicle’s data. They also showed a strong preference for independent repair shops over dealerships. Key results included:
      94% want to choose where their vehicle is repaired 93% want to choose who repairs their vehicle 79% are willing to share their vehicle data with independent repair shops 75% support legislation preventing auto manufacturers from restricting consumer access to vehicle data 74% believe vehicle owners should have access to their vehicle data 63% would take their vehicle to an independent repair shop  “Momentum continues to grow for the bipartisan REPAIR Act,” CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said. “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle understand that when it comes to repairing their vehicles, consumers deserve and expect choices. That’s why the REPAIR Act is so critical. Access to vehicle data is essential to both vehicle owners and the independent repair shops who serve them. We thank the members of the subcommittee for bringing attention to the REPAIR Act today. Swift action on the REPAIR and SMART Acts is needed to protect access to affordable car repairs and promote freedom of choice.”
      The CAR Coalition, a growing group of companies, associations and insurers involved in the independent automotive aftermarket, praised the subcommittee for putting the REPAIR Act on its agenda.
      In written testimony, Auto Care Association member Kathleen Callahan, owner of Xpertech Auto Repair in Englewood, Florida, expressed her support for the legislation.
      “The REPAIR Act will guarantee that our shops can access the data we need to safely diagnose and repair vehicles today and in the future in a manner consistent with the wishes of the vehicle owner,” Callahan wrote. “The REPAIR Act allows the free market to work by prohibiting competition-busting barriers vehicle manufacturers use to protect their competitive advantage. If the vehicle owner prefers the service shop at their dealership, that is their right, but should they choose to have repairs done at my shop, they should also have that right guaranteed. It’s your car. It should be your data.”
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • Incfile.com
    • By Counterman
      The ASE Education Foundation recently convened a workshop to review the tasks and tools used by ASE-accredited collision repair and refinish programs in high schools and colleges nationwide.
      The review committee consisted of individuals representing vehicle manufacturers, collision repair and refinish shop owners and technicians, instructors and industry trainers and equipment and parts suppliers.
      “We want to thank the committee members for working diligently to review and enhance our standards for collision repair and refinish program accreditation,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “The updates reflect what is happening in the industry with new technologies like EVs and ADAS and will help collision repair and refinish students be better prepared to enter the workforce.”
      One of the major outcomes was the creation of a new area of accreditation entitled “Collision Repair and Refinish Fundamentals.”
      This new area includes 121 distinct skills/tasks and requires a minimum of 300 hours of combined classroom/lab instruction. It draws from the existing areas of accreditation but focuses on five core skill areas highly valued by employers: damaged vehicle disassembly, reassembly, small-dent repair, plastic repair and prep for refinish.
      The new option gives schools and local businesses another path to prepare students for success in entry-level positions with skills that are in high demand, according to ASE.
      The updated collision repair and refinish standards include new hybrid and electric vehicle safety tasks that are required for all students in ASE-accredited collision repair and refinish programs. Two new task sections in mechanical and electrical components also were also added for advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and hybrid and electric vehicle service procedures.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view

×
  • Create New...