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Trade Associations Urge Congress to Restore R&D Tax Deduction
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By Counterman
Congressman Neal Dunn (Fla-02) introduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act or the “REPAIR Act,” a bill that would ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs, on February 25, 2025. Currently, automakers are restricting vehicle owners and automotive repair shops from accessing repair data and tools, resulting in higher repair costs, fewer service options and longer wait times for vehicle maintenance.
link hidden, please login to view would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer. “American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Congressman Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops.
“Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”
“Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to have real agency,” said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”
“We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”
“Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”
“NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, principal of federal government relations at NFIB. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top 10 priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”
“MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition and innovation in the automotive aftermarket. Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike,” said Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.
“PAMA’s member companies and independent automotive maintenance shops around the country play a vital role, ensuring that consumers have access to timely and cost-effective repair options for their automobiles,” said Justin Cialella, former PAMA president and chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “We commend and applaud Congressman Dunn for his leadership on the REPAIR Act, a critical milestone in our industry’s effort to protect consumers rights, preserve a fair marketplace with regard to vehicle telematics, and combat deceptive marketing practices.”
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By Counterman
Valvoline announced that its Restore & Protect motor oil has been named 2025
link hidden, please login to view winner in the car care category. The company said the product was selected for this honor through a national study of 40,000 American shoppers, as surveyed by Kantar, a consumer research firm. As the largest consumer-voted awards program recognizing product innovation, the Product of the Year award is recognition of the benefits Restore & Protect offers to consumers, link hidden, please login to view said. Launched in January 2024, Valvoline said
link hidden, please login to view is the first motor oil designed to effectively restore a car’s engine to perform like new. The company said its product continues to challenge traditional views of the role motor oil plays in engine care and is setting a new benchmark for performance in the industry. “As we constantly strive to deliver exceptional products to our customers, we are honored to be chosen by consumers as a 2025 Product of the Year award winner,” said Greg Barntsen, Valvoline Global operations general manager – Americas. “Restore & Protect is not only on the forefront of value-added innovation in our industry, it’s a reflection of Valvoline Global’s commitment to inventing the way forward with innovative solutions to global automotive challenges.”
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By Counterman
Valvoline Global Operations announced its recognition as a winner in the 2025 BIG Innovation Awards, presented by the Business Intelligence Group. The honor highlights Valvoline’s Restore & Protect motor oil, which the company said is a “first-of-its-kind innovation that restores engines to run like new by removing up to 100 percent of engine-killing deposits when used as directed.” This high-performing product is recognized as driving transformative impact in the motor oil, lubricants, and coolants industry,
link hidden, please login to view said. “We have a rich history of putting innovation into action in the automotive lubricant category. Restore & Protect is a product that showcases our commitment to being at the forefront of our industry,” said Greg Barntsen, Valvoline Global Operations general manager – Americas. “The product truly redefines what motor oil can achieve, and this award is a testament to our commitment to inspiring progress while meeting the needs of our consumers and customers.”
“Humanity relies on innovation to improve our lives and the planet,” said Russ Fordyce, CEO of the Business Intelligence Group. “We’re thrilled to spotlight Valvoline’s Restore & Protect motor oil as a shining example of innovation making a profound impact globally.”
A news release from
link hidden, please login to viewexplained that the 2025 BIG Innovation Awards celebrate organizations and individuals pushing boundaries and advancing their industries. Winners are evaluated by a panel of seasoned business leaders and executives who consider creativity, measurable results and overall impact in their selections. The post
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By Counterman
There is nothing simple about complex engine oil formulations. Effectively explaining to your customer how Valvoline’s Restore & Protect motor oil removes and prevents engine deposits may seem like a tough task.
Dr. Michael Warholic, global technology director for Valvoline Global Operations, emphasizes the importance of visual evidence
“Hey, look how this product performs,” said Warholic. “We have visuals showing that there’s a removal of deposits, that there is a reversing of the aging process in an engine. That’s a great case story to tell.”
Warholic talks with Babcox Content Director Jason Morgan about the formulation process that sets Restore & Protect apart. The process involves a balance of various additives and components, tested rigorously in both laboratory and real-world conditions. It also involves combining base oils, viscosity modifiers, and a unique blend of additives. These additives include detergents to clean deposits, friction modifiers to reduce engine strain, and antioxidants to combat the breakdown of oil components. The goal was to create a motor oil that not only prevents the formation of new deposits but also removes existing ones, effectively rejuvenating the engine.
“We wanted to do something different than everybody else,” said Warholic. “That’s what Restore and Protect does. It differentiates us from our competitors. It does something that no other oil does in the marketplace right now.”
Restore & Protect could be considered a new category of motor oil that bridges the gap between conventional oils and high-mileage formulations. While high-mileage oils are designed for older engines, Restore & Protect is suitable for both new and aging engines. Its dual function of preventing new deposits and reversing existing ones makes it a versatile choice for a wide range of vehicles.
This innovation is particularly valuable for engines operating under severe conditions, such as those used for towing or in high-traffic areas. The oil’s ability to handle these demanding environments while maintaining engine cleanliness offers a significant advantage over standard motor oils.
“There’s always engine oil. Formulating is a little bit about give and take. The engine is a very complex machine. You have different temperatures, different pressures. It is really a very interesting field when you start digging into it.”
“We do tons of data-driven testing. That’s what we live for.”
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