WASHINGTON, DC — The Automotive Service Association (ASA), the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers have formed a new coalition that favors existing voluntary efforts – instead of federal legislation – to provide access to technical repair data to all repair shops and service providers.
According to a press release issued yesterday, the newly formed group — Coalition for Automotive Repair and Fair Information Xchange (CARFIX) — also includes more than 65,000 independent auto service technicians employed by ASA member businesses. ASA, the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers were involved in the original voluntary service information agreement created in September 2002. The auto manufacturers reached an agreement with independent auto service businesses represented by ASA to make all service, training and diagnostic tool information available on the Internet. This commitment by the manufacturers was met and remains in place today. Additionally, a volunteer effort, called the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) was created to resolve any problems involving access to motor vehicle repair information. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is currently conducting an audit of automakers’ service information web sites.
CARFIX opposes the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, H.R. 2735, which was last introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003, and its Senate companion, S. 2138. Members of CARFIX say they agree that consumers should have a choice in where to have their vehicles serviced and repaired. However, the coalition has made it a mission to educate policymakers about the voluntary program that is currently in place and to persuade them that legislation is unnecessary.
If passed, the Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act would require automobile manufacturers to make available to car owners and repairers the information necessary to diagnose, service or repair vehicles, including all such information made available to franchised dealers. However, the coalition said it would also permit “sweeping private right of action lawsuits at a time when Congress is trying to rein in frivolous lawsuits. In addition, it would force the release of proprietary information irrelevant to vehicle repair.”
ASA President Ron Pyle said, “The proposed legislation attempts to fix a problem that is non-existent.” Pyle and the coalition claim that “interests led largely by auto parts distributors have chosen to push not only for unnecessary legislation but also for provisions that would leave the door wide open for petty lawsuits.”
According to CARFIX, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which would be responsible for administering the new law, has expressed serious concerns about the legislation, and calls for voluntary action. In its statement, CARFIX quoted a statement from the FTC, which said, “Possible unintended consequences associated with [the legislation] could create major difficulties in implementation… If a suitable resolution can be obtained through the Task Force [NASTF] or a similar mechanism, it may be preferable to government intervention.”
For information about CARFIX, visit: www.carfixinfo.com.
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