Car Makers, Association Mark Agreement Anniversary
WASHINGTON — Oct. 17 marked the fifth anniversary of the “voluntary agreement” between the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) to make vehicle repair information available to independent service shops, including tire dealers. The groups claim the agreement provides “the same service, repair and training
ETI Announces Plans for ToolTech 2007
ROCHESTER, MI – Registration for ToolTech 2007, presented by the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI), is now available online. This four-day event will take place May 1-4, at the Carefree Resort and Villas in Carefree, AZ. ToolTech 2007 is designed to bring those who make, sell, represent or buy automotive tools and equipment together. It
The Top 10 News Stories of 2006
For the third year in a row, the editorial staffs of aftermarketNews and Counterman magazine take a look at the events that have had the most impact on the automotive aftermarket in the past year.
ASA Voices Opposition to New Jersey Right to Repair Act
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging New Jersey shop owners to contact their State Assembly members to ask that they oppose Assembly Bill 931, the ‘Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.’ In October, the New Jersey Assembly’s Consumer Affairs Committee unanimously voted to pass A-931, the New Jersey version of ‘The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.” The next step in the process is a second reading on the Assembly Floor.
Week in Review
THE WEEK IN REVIEW (August 14-18, 2006) _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ ASSOCIATION & LEGISLATIVE NEWS: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________________________ Updates Made to NASTF OEM Service Information Website NASTF recently added updated information to its OEM Service Websites page. According to NASTF, three notable changes have occurred within the listings: Acura and Honda have significantly reduced their annual subscription rates;
More Details on the May 17 Right to Repair Hearing
Last week, aftermarket representatives convened on Capital Hill to offer their testimonies in the most recent hearing regarding H.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. The hearing was held before the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection. Shortly after the hearing, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), widely known as the bill’s largest supporter, issued a press release with details of testimony from Aaron Lowe, AAIA’s vice president of government affairs. On the other side of the debate, the Automotive Service Association, which continues to encourage a non-legislative solution to the service information issue and opposes the bill, offered its own statements on the May 17 hearing.
AAIA Testifies Before Subcommittee Hearing on Right to Repair Act
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) today urged Congress “to wait no longer, but to move as soon as possible to enact the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act of 2005 (HR 2048).” The statement is part of testimony given by AAIA’s vice president for government affairs gave at a hearing held on May 17th before the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
Audi and Volkswagen Launch New Service Websites
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), which manages the OEM service information matrix, announced this week that Audi of America and Volkswagen of America have introduced new Service Information websites: www.ebahn.com/audi and www.ebahn.com/vw. These replace the “erWin” websites.
AAIA’s Schmatz Says Association’s Continued Pressure on Legislature Keeps the Ball Rolling; Right to Repair Act Nears 100 Congressional Co-Sponsors
Yesterday, Kathleen Schmatz, president and chief executive officer of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), issued a letter to AAIA members to announce that the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2048) is nearing a milestone 100 congressional co-sponsors. In the letter, Schmatz cites the association’s unrelenting pressure on Congress as the reason both the Right to Repair Act and the formalization of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) continue to move forward.
FTC Supports Independent Enforcement Program for Aftermarket Car Company Disputes
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reiterated its support of a third-party enforcement program that would resolve disputes between aftermarket companies and the car manufacturers in a letter sent to Representatives Joe Barton (R-TX), chief sponsor of the “Right to Repair Act” and Cliff Stearns (R-FL), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.