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Right to Repair Triumphs in Maine Referendum
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By Dorman Products
The best way to help customers find your auto repair shop | Set up your Google Business Profile
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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.”
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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.
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By Counterman
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 Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, had to say about the ongoing battle to pass Right-to-Repair legislation – in Massachusetts and at the national level.
“A rising tide lifts all boats” is a quote commonly attributed to President John F. Kennedy to suggest that investing in economic development can benefit everyone who participates in the economy. The same sentiment is true for the more than $400 billion auto care industry, as evidenced by our recent joint channel forecast that showed our industry outperforming our expectations in 2022.
That’s how we roll: Collaboration is critical between supplier, distributor and end user to ensure that we’re meeting the needs of our industry from the top of the supply chain down to the consumer.
It’s easy to get comfortable when the numbers are this good and it’s hard to keep up with demand … everything appears to be firing on all cylinders (of course, an automotive analogy). While it’s important to celebrate our success, it’s also critical for all of us to be engaged to thwart the biggest threat to our industry since its inception.
On June 12, a representative from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
link hidden, please login to view instructing them to ignore the Massachusetts Data Access Law (Right to Repair Act) that was approved by 75% of the voters because they interpreted it to be federally pre-empted by the national Safety Act. This letter came two years after the federal court in Massachusetts asked NHTSA to comment on the trial – which they opted not to do. This is a now a rallying cry for all of us, and I’m afraid that unless we activate our entire industry around this issue, we all will lose … especially the consumer. Shop owners and DIYers are already experiencing instances where data is not made available by the automakers, and this will continually escalate should we not pass Right to Repair at the national level.
The phrase “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country” was actually first used as a typing drill in the mid 19th century – not shouted in the House of Burgesses by Patrick Henry as is commonly believed. We now have a new rallying cry of, “Now is the time for all men and women to defend the auto care industry and consumer choice,” which is critical to our long-term viability as an industry.
Here’s how you and your company can take part in the most important battle our industry has ever faced:
Scan the QR Code below to send an automatic letter to your local congressperson telling them to support the REPAIR Act. Download the Right-to-Repair promotional materials at link hidden, please login to viewto conduct a unified company awareness campaign on Right to Repair. Our toolkit has everything you need to educate employees and customers about the necessity of Right to Repair. Host your congressperson at your place of business. We have a complete program that handles the contacts, the logistics and the talking points. It’s easier than you think, and any politician is always looking for a photo op with their local business constituents. Here’s a link to our link hidden, please login to view to learn how to get started. I saved the most important for last: Attend the Auto Care Association’s legislative summit on Sept. 21 in Washington, D.C. Join us and hundreds of your industry colleagues in Washington as we arrange meetings between you and your local congressional representatives so they can hear directly from you about our industry’s need to access vehicle data. link hidden, please login to view Meeting with an elected official is nothing more than a sales call, and guess what? You are the customer! The loudest voice in Washington is that of the taxpayer/voter – and we provide the talking points, the meeting schedule and a thoroughly American day participating in the political process. This is a day you will bring home to your family and friends, and I promise you: You will not regret it.
Take a look back at highlights from our last legislative summit in 2019
link hidden, please login to view and stay tuned throughout the year for additional details. Thanks to all of you for engaging in the protection of our industry’s future!
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