Tire Industry Association

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	TIA Contact: Roy Littlefield
May 31, 2006	301-430-7280

TIA Praises House Subcommittee on Right to Repair Vote

BOWIE, Maryland – May 31, 2006, The Tire Industry Association (TIA) praised the House Subcommittee for taking a strong stand on a small business issue in support of the independent automotive aftermarket. On May 25, 2006, House Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee voted in favor (14 to 13) of the Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2048) resulting in an essential victory for the independent automotive repair industry, motorists, and consumers.

According to Dr. Roy Littlefield, TIA Executive Vice President, the bill, though amended twice during the mark-up session, is a triumph, as it requires the Federal Trade Commission to guarantee that independent repair shops are allowed access to the same data, instructions, and equipment available to new car dealerships.

Despite heavy lobbying and deployment of scare tactics by vehicle manufacturers and their dealerships, a majority of the Representatives aligned with motorists and consumers, who, if the bill is enacted into law, will be able to own automotive repair information and have their rights, as consumers, protected.

“After witnessing the credibility issue surface at the last hearing, TIA is grateful that the vote came out in our favor,” said Paul Fiore, TIA Director of Government and Business Relations. “Once the coalition determines the most effective way to communicate with busy shop-owners and mechanics who view any interruption to their workday as lost income, we’re confident that the Congress will hear about numerous information issues and will see the need for this legislation.”

U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) reintroduced “The Right to Repair Act” in May 2005 to protect motorist rights. And although a hearing has yet to be scheduled for the full House Energy and Commerce Committee, the automotive repair industry, American motorists, and the Tire Industry Association will fight for our rights and ensure that the bill is finally enacted into law.

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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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