U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) Co-Sponsors ‘Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair’ Act (REPAIR Act)
By Camille Sheehan
BETHESDA, Md., RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C., DIAMOND BAR, Calif., and WASHINGTON, D.C. – April 13, 2022– The Auto Care Association, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), CAR (Consumer Access to Repair) Coalition, and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) applaud U.S. Representative Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) for co-sponsoring the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair’ Act (REPAIR Act). Introduced in February 2022 by U.S. Representative Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) to provide consumers rights to their vehicle’s repair and maintenance data and safeguard a free and fair repair market, the REPAIR Act (H.R. 6570) is the only Federal right to repair legislation that addresses this critical need in the automotive industry.
Rep. Davidson is an automotive industry alumnus who ran his family business: a small-batch machining and fabricating business which was transformed into a high-volume contract fabrication and injection molding manufacturer during his tenure.
“By prohibiting vehicle owners from accessing and sharing data they generate, manufacturers stop consumers from accessing third-party repair shops,” said Davidson. “American vehicle owners have a right to control their data, and a right to access third-party repair shops, tools and parts. This bill would end manufacturers’ anti-competitive practices and restore consumer property rights.”
“Thanks to Congressman Davidson, the bill is now a bi-partisan effort,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “We thank the representative for recognizing that consumers deserve the right to choose where they get their vehicle repaired. In a time where Americans rely on their vehicles more than ever and are keeping their vehicles longer due to economic uncertainty, we hope that other legislators follow suit.”
“AASA applauds Rep. Davidson for joining Rep. Rush on this critical legislative push,” said Paul McCarthy, president and CEO, AASA. “The consumer’s ability to continue to have choice in where to repair, service, and maintain their vehicles is at stake. The bipartisan support from this bill, as we saw with the bipartisan-supported ‘Nixing the Fix’ report from the FTC, speaks to the fact that this automotive right to repair effort is not partisan, it is to support consumers, competition and free markets. Without action, consumers will face rising costs and fewer options. We look forward to working with both representatives on this important effort.”
“The CAR Coalition applauds Rep. Davidson for co-sponsoring the REPAIR Act,” CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said. “This bipartisan legislation is critical to protecting the rights of consumers in the post-collision auto repair market. It is also crucial to ensuring the security and accessibility of vehicle data. As the cost of cars and repairs rise, consumers need more choices, not fewer, when it comes to repairing their own vehicles. The CAR Coalition looks forward to working with Rep. Davidson and Rep. Rush to advance the REPAIR Act on behalf of consumers across the country.”
“SEMA and the specialty automotive aftermarket appreciate Representative Davidson standing up for free and fair competition for consumers looking to service, repair, or modify their vehicle,” said Daniel Ingber, vice president, government and legal affairs, SEMA. “The bi-partisan REPAIR Act must be passed to protect access to vehicle systems, tools and information necessary for independent repair and modification services for millions of consumers.”
Automotive aftermarket companies can urge legislators in their district to also co-sponsor the bill by visiting autocareadvocacy.org/take-action-tell-congress-support-right-to-repair, aftermarketsuppliers.org/repairact, carcoalition.com or semasan.com.
About the Auto Care Association
The Auto Care Association is the voice of the auto care industry, a $380 billion plus industry comprised of more than 4.4 million American workers. Providing advocacy, educational, networking, technology, market intelligence and data resources to serve the collective interests of members, the Auto Care Association serves the entire supply chain of the automotive aftermarket: businesses that manufacture, distribute and sell motor vehicle parts, accessories, tools, equipment, materials and supplies, and perform vehicle service, maintenance and repair. To learn more, visit www.autocare.org.
About AASA
AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves manufacturers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products, an important part of the automotive parts manufacturing industry which supports 871,000 American jobs. AASA is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, Connecting Members to What Matters.” To learn more about other ways AASA connects members to what matters, visit aftermarketsuppliers.org.
About the CAR Coalition
The CAR Coalition is committed to preserving and protecting consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring competition in the automotive collision parts industry. Members include: Allstate, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA), Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency, Inc. (AMECA), AutoZone, Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), Diamond Standard, Geotab, KSI Auto Parts, and LKQ Corporation. Learn more at carcoalition.com
About SEMA
SEMA represents the $48 billion a year specialty equipment automotive aftermarket industry. The trade association includes more than 7,500 businesses nationwide that manufacture, distribute, market and retail specialty parts and accessories for vehicles. The industry employs over one million Americans and produces appearance accessories, racing and performance parts, restoration equipment, and high-technology products for passenger and recreational vehicles. Learn more at sema.org.