Dealership Closings Make Right to Repair Act More Critical to Vehicle Owners
Legislation Ensures Convenient, Affordable Auto Repair
As car manufacturers add more computer technology to vehicles, smart oversight over the automotive industry is needed to protect consumers from the added costs created by a vehicle repair monopoly, according to Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
"It has become clear in recent days that a competitive marketplace backed by smart government oversight will protect American consumers and small businesses,” said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). “Local vehicle repair shops are fighting for the same oversight
Nearly twenty percent of the car dealerships in America could close next year, according to a new study. This trend makes the need for the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) even more critical to car owners, according to Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
Reuters reports that the number of U.S. car dealerships closing is expected to increase into 2009, with as many as 3,800 dealerships at risk of closure because of dwindling sales and tighter credit, according to a newly released study by Grant Thornton LLP.
“The fact is that there already aren’t enough dealerships in all the right places to keep every motor vehicle serviced, repaired and operating safely; now it appears that this situation is going to become worse as an increasing number of dealerships will be closing throughout the country,” said Schmatz. “Without the Right to Repair Act, millions of motorists may be forced back to fewer dealers for service, making convenient and affordable local auto repair a thing of the past.”
Because vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated with virtually every system either monitored or controlled by computers, servicing these vehicle systems to keep them in safe and efficient working condition requires ready access to complete and accurate repair information from the car companies. The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694) was introduced in Congress to offer protections for vehicle owners by making it illegal for vehicle manufacturers to withhold information necessary to diagnose, service or repair motor vehicles.
“Without Right to Repair legislation, many motorists may forgo important vehicle repairs due to the added costs of fuel and travel time because there is no dealership in the area,” continued Schmatz. “Passage of the Right to Repair Act will ensure that car owners can conveniently and affordably have their vehicle serviced at the repair shop of their choice. Clearly, using advances in technology to deny motorists that choice is a misuse of these computers and certainly not in the best interest of consumers.”
A complete copy of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) can be found by visiting http://www.righttorepair.org/HR2694.pdf.
