The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) won the first round in a 14 to 13 vote in the Subcommittee on Commerce over the proposed “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.” Essentially, the act would require the car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independents that they provide their franchised dealer networks. “False arguments and innuendoes have been hurled by the car companies against the independent repair industry since the initial introduction of [the act],” said CARE prseident David Parde. “Accusations that the automotive aftermarket would make parts in China, hurt jobs in America, steal intellectual property and other non-truths, were circulated by the car companies to scare many Representatives from supporting HR 2048.”
“However, many stuck with America’s motoring consumers and cast their vote in favor of consumers owning their own auto repair information and protecting consumers’ rights. Those who voted to keep America’s consumers driving deserve consumers’ gratitude for withstanding the pressure from the car companies,” he said.
“The next stop for ‘The Right to Repair Act’ is the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. A date has not yet been scheduled, but motoring consumers and the automotive aftermarket are prepared to fight on until HR 2048 becomes law,” concluded Parde.
05/30, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Christoforo
This is probably one of the best things to come out of commerce in a while.
Let’s hope it also passes at the House of Rep.
I really agree with this, I’m tired of opening the hood of a car to see big chunks of plastic blocking almost everything but the oil dip stick.
05/30, 10:01 AM
posted by:
Sander Scholten
In October 2003 the new Monti BER act came into effect and this meant that manufacturers are required to provide similar information to independents as the Right to Repair Act requires. Maybe American manufacturers should look to Europe to see how to deal with legislation like this.
If anybody has any questions, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Sander Scholten
Process Manager After Sales
Alfa Romeo the Netherlands
05/30, 6:43 PM
posted by:
Christoforo
Sander, Does the Monti BER act allow for independents to purchase parts needed to allow access to the engine of the car for repairs?
Just curious,
Chris Gennuso.
05/30, 6:44 PM
posted by:
Christoforo
**By parts I mean tools needed to uncover the engine and allow it to be repaired or worked on.
05/31, 2:35 AM
posted by:
Sander Scholten
Dear Chris,
The BER act requires manufacturers to provide all information needed to independents to do repairs en maintenance to their cars. They are allowed to charge money for the repairs and tools, but no more than they charge their own dealers.
Dealers, in return, only have to buy 30% of their total parts purchase from the manufacturer and for the rest they can buy it from independent parts manufacturers.
This new legislation is transforming the automotive industry in Europe and is giving dealers a lot more freedom. This needs to lead to more competition and eventually better prices for the customers.
Sander Scholten