Right to Repair Act
Summary:
TIA feels strongly that the handshake agreement in place between the Automotive Service Association and the auto manufacturers is not enough to ensure affordable access to service information. For example with the recent ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems in every new vehicle as of September 1, 2007, it is critical that independent tire dealers have the information from the original equipment manufacturers necessary to install, service, maintain, recalibrate and fix these TPMS systems.“The automobile manufacturers that signed a letter of agreement with ASA oppose passage of the Right to Repair Act. THIS MAKES NO SENSE!” exclaims Roy Littlefield. “If these manufacturers plan to keep their end of the agreement and make information accessible and affordable to independent service providers, this legislation only backs up their commitment to the automotive service industry. The fact that these manufacturers oppose this legislation causes me to question their commitment to the agreement and forces TIA to keep supporting the legislation.”
Some of you reading the industry press may believe that the Right to Repair issue has simply become a war-of-words between the opponents and the proponents. While there is a certain amount of truth to that, the fact is that TIA and the other coalition members involved in this legislative battle are pressing forward on all fronts. We are garnering co-sponsors (now at 37) in the House, locking down support in the Senate for an introduction of a bill and continuing to bring the story to legislators and motor vehicle owners in many states.
Right-to-Repair
We are very excited about a recent ruling by the European Commission regarding the sharing of repair information. The decision states that DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, General Motors, and Toyota are now legally bound to provide technical information about car repairs to all independent garages in the European Union. After a Commission investigation it was determined that inadequate access to the fullrange of technical information could drive repair facilities from the market. This statement alone gives credence to everything TIA has written about and testified on for the Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right-to- Repair Act. The ruling should also give a boost to outgoing President Paul Hyatt’s right- to-repair efforts in Canada. He has tirelessly led the national fight in Ottawa and rest-assured will be heading back with this new ammunition.
In a strongly worded statement EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes stated, “Consumers benefit from competition between repairers, through lower labor charges and cheaper spare parts. These decisions provide a concrete and timely solution to the problems faced by independent repairers, who might lose their ability to compete without access to the relevant technical information.” The Commission went on to site numerous surveys that studied the price differences between franchised and independent garages showing how much higher repairs cost at the franchised dealerships. Even as they acknowledged the proprietary properties of anti-theft and performance-limiting functions, the commission held that withholding information about those systems should not prevent independent repairers from performing repairs not directly related to those functions.
Right to Repair
We are working in-district as often as possible, continuing to push for co-sponsorship. The need to report repair information gaps is still a top priority. Please contact Paul Fiore at 1 800-876-8372, ext.102, or by e-mail at pfiore@tireindustry.org, with any questions.
Right to Repair
TIA just spent the day on Capitol Hill trying to gather more co-sponsors for H.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act. During our visits to individual offices we were asked by every staffer to address what TIA now refers to as the credibility issue. Even the congressional staffers sympathetic to the cause are stressing the need for the proponents of this bill to get some solid data in place that documents the repair information problem. To that end, if you are a repair facility and have experienced problems repairing vehicles due to a lack of manufacturer information, please utilize the form that appears on TIA’s website (click here to download Form). This will be a great contribution to our legislative efforts on this critical issue.
UPDATES:
Right to Repair (6-1-2006)
The Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act passed a crucial subcommittee vote last week on a close partisan margin. After the last hearing it became apparent that members of Congress have no real understanding of what our folks do everyday. The concern that there aren’t really a substantial number of complaints generated about a lack of information ignores repair shop reality. Our members live and work in a time-is-money world and quickly solve a problem to the best of their and the customer’s satisfaction and move on. That solution may have involved towing a vehicle to the auto dealer’s shop or tracking down someone’s best friend who happens to be a service writer at the auto dealer for critical information. This is not well understood on Capitol Hill. We have much more work cut out for us on this issue.
Right to Repair Hearing (Nov. 21, 2005)
The Commerce, Trade & Consumer Protection Subcommittee held a hearing on Thursday, November 10, on the Right to Repair Act. TIA member Robert Everett of Bayville Auto Care of Bayville, New Jersey testified in support of the Right to Repair legislation and did an outstanding job. Mr. Everett was there as an NFIB, TIA and ASA member. His testimony, and that of other supporters, helped move the issue forward. Since negotiations have broken down, Chairman Barton is still signaling that there will be a markup of legislation in early December. For information on the Right to Repair in Canada, go to: www.controlledautorepair.com
Right to Repair
Negotiations between the automotive manufacturers and the aftermarket industry have reportedly broken down. These two groups were trying to come to an agreement about the “right to repair” issue without passing legislation. Chairman Barton has said he’d like to see
if negotiations can still be fruitful but if not, he will markup his Right to Repair bill in the House Commerce Committee. TIA also has the Senate poised and ready to introduce a companion bill. For information on the Right to Repair in Canada, go to: www.controlledautorepair.com
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
TIA Contact: Roy Littlefield |
| June 28, 2005 |
301-430-7280 |
TIA Comments on Right to Repair Act
Supports “New & Improved” Bill
Bowie, MD – (June 28, 2005) The Tire Industry Association (TIA) today submitted testimony on the Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2048) at a hearing of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment and Government.
“The time for passage of the Right to Repair Act has never been more important to the tire industry or more critical to our members,” said Roy Littlefield, Executive Vice President of TIA. “With the recent ruling by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to mandate Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems in every new vehicle as of September 1, 2007, it is critical that our independent tire dealers have the information from the original equipment manufacturers necessary to install, service, maintain, recalibrate and fix these TPMS systems.”
TIA feels strongly that the handshake agreement in place between the Automotive Service Association and the auto manufacturers is not enough to ensure affordable access to service information. “The automobile manufacturers that signed the letter of agreement with ASA oppose passage of the Right to Repair Act. THIS MAKES NO SENSE!” exclaimed Littlefield. “If these manufacturers plan to keep their end of the agreement and make information accessible and affordable to independent service providers, this legislation only backs up their commitment to the automotive service industry. The fact that these manufacturers oppose this legislation causes me to question their commitment to the agreement and forces TIA to keep supporting the legislation.”
The 109th Congress’ version of the Right to Repair Act has addressed several concerns by the auto manufacturers and the Federal Trade Commission. “The Act never intended to force the auto manufacturers to give away proprietary information or ‘trade secrets’” said Littlefield. “This point has been clarified in the “new & improved” bill. Also, this year’s bill clarifies the FTC’s involvement with enforcing the mandate on auto manufacturers.”
The full testimony is available on TIA’s website or by contacting the association.
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TIA is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. The Tire Industry Association (TIA) has a history that spans more than 80 years and includes several name changes. Originally known as the National Tire Dealers & Retreaders Association (NTDRA), the organization gave birth over the years to the American Retreaders Association (ARA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). ARA changed its name to the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and merged with TANA in 2002 to form the current Tire Industry Association (TIA), which now represents every interest in the tire industry.
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