WASHINGTON , DC -- Today, all original equipment manufacturers have vehicle service and repair information available on their websites. Fair and equal access to this information for both automotive dearlerships and automotive technicians has been at the center of a heated debate for several years now. In June 2003, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized a regulation that requires automobile manufacturers to provide all necessary emissions service-related information on websites. Information is available on automobiles that are 1996 model year and later.

Following that regulation, the EPA announced it would conduct an audit of the websites, and gather technician input on their experiences with the websites. The EPA completed its survey in August. To view the EPA's findings on OEM Web sites, visit: http://www.oemaudit.com/ProjectResults.cfm.