The Automotive Service Association (ASA) says it is asking shops to send a letter to their U.S. House of Representatives members encouraging them to join the newly established Vehicle Data Access Caucus. The U.S. House of Representatives Vehicle Data Caucus is a bipartisan group formed by U.S. Congressman Earl “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and U.S. Congressman Darren Soto (D-FL) to address the issue of vehicle data access.
Representatives Carter and Soto are members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will have jurisdiction for the vehicle data access issue, ASA says. However, caucus membership is open to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Vehicle data access is an important issue for independent repair shops that rely on accessing vehicle data to repair their customers’ vehicles safely and effectively. The Vehicle Data Access Caucus will be essential in addressing critical data-access concerns, ASA says.
“With tremendous advancements in technology over the last several years, vehicles are generating increasing amounts of data that can be accessed by a variety of sources ranging from in-vehicle ports to wireless transmission,” said Reps. Carter and Soto in their “Dear Colleague” letter. “As this vehicle data ecosystem evolves, there are growing questions about what data is accessible, to whom, and under what circumstances. Policy and practical issues that must be addressed include who “owns” or controls the vehicle data, who can expand or limit services offered, and who will ensure privacy and cybersecurity.”
“The Vehicle Data Access Caucus represents an opportunity to establish national policy on an issue impacting the daily lives of shops across the U.S.,” states Scott Benavidez, ASA board chairman. “Independent repair shops conduct 70 percent of post-warranty repairs, and It is critical that independent repair shops continue to have access to the vehicle data they need to service these cars.”
For more information, visit ASAshop.org or ASA’s legislative website at TakingTheHill.com
