Three additional independent automotive repair organizations have announced their support for the Right to Repair bill currently before the Massachusetts Legislature.
The Right to Repair bill (House Bill 296), co-sponsored by state Rep. Vincent Pedone, (D-Worcester) and state Sen. Mark Montigny (D-Dartmouth), would require automobile manufacturers and their dealers to give independent automotive repair shops equal and fair access to diagnostic repair information.
Joining the Massachusetts Alliance of Automotive Service Providers in its longstanding support of the legislation is the New England Service Station & Automotive Repair Association Inc.; the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA); and the Central Massachusetts Auto Rebuilders' Association.
"We want to make sure that our members, and the industry as a whole, retain the ability to locate the information needed to repair all vehicles," says NESSARA Executive Director Paul O'Connell. "We fully support this legislation's effort to keep the choice of where to have your vehicle repaired in the hands of the consumer."
"This legislation would ensure fair and equitable competition in the marketplace, which ultimately benefits consumers by providing greater choice at lower prices," adds MABA President Ed Boermeester.
The Right to Repair Act would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide their to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers.
For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.RightToRepair.org.
