The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (The Alliance), the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) released a statement today regarding Right to Repair.
The statement follows:
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (The Alliance), the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) cited the progress that has been made in the almost seven years since Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) facilitated a service information sharing agreement as the reason for diminished Congressional support for so called "right to repair" legislation.
Alliance CEO Dave McCurdy stated, "Manufacturers recognize the importance of the independent repair industry and remain committed to ensuring that consumers have the option of using the repairer of their choice to service their vehicles."
Congressional support for the "Right to Repair Act" has diminished as the voluntary agreement has been implemented. Just this week the legislation was re-introduced although this time with only two cosponsors.
Today’s automotive engineers are using computers in innovative ways to produce even safer and cleaner vehicles. And while automotive computers monitor and control everything from airbag safety systems and anti-lock brakes to GPS systems, fuel economy and emissions controls, they also require independent repairers to invest in the tools, training and equipment necessary to properly service these automobiles.
AIAM President and CEO Mike Stanton said, "All information necessary to service and repair motor vehicles is currently available to independent repairers. All they need are a credit card and an internet connection to access this information on websites maintained by every manufacturer selling vehicles in America today. This legislation does not remedy problems associated with independent technicians who may simply be untrained or unsure where to go to assess the repair information for vehicles that pass through their shop doors."
To help resolve service and repair-related issues independent repairers are encouraged to work through the National Automotive Service Task Force. NASTF serves as a forum to identify and resolve gaps involving motor vehicle repair information and tools. This national, voluntary solution has proven to be an effective resource for repairers and manufacturers alike, and over the course of the past eight years, has managed to develop an effective forum to point independent repairers to the information and tools they need and to provide a mechanism to report and resolve the few gaps that remain.
ASA President Ron Pyle added, "ASA is proud of the progress made for independent repairers relative to service, training and tool information. The 2002 ASA-Automaker agreement has provided our industry with a model for information that will ensure repairers have access to the necessary repair information for the foreseeable future. This model is indicative of the industry’s ability to resolve many important issues in the marketplace without government intervention when the automotive industry works together."
The Alliance is a trade association of 11 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Mazda, Mercedes, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.
The Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) represents 13 international motor vehicle manufacturers who account for 36 percent of all light duty motor vehicles produced in the United States. For more information, visit www.aiam.org.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry.
