Tire Industry Association

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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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