Right to Repair Act clears first hurdle

May 26, 2006

By a narrow 14 to 13 vote, the The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, HR 2048, passed through the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.

"False arguments and innuendoes have been hurled by the car companies against the independent repair industry since the initial introduction of The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act," says David Parde, president of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). "Accusations that the automotive aftermarket would make parts in China, hurt jobs in America, steal intellectual property and other non-truths, were circulated by the car companies to scare many Representatives from supporting HR 2048.

"However, many stuck with America's motoring consumers and cast their vote in favor of consumers owning their own auto repair information and protecting consumers' rights. Those who voted to keep America's consumers driving deserve consumers' gratitude for withstanding the pressure from the car companies."

The Right to Repair Act, as it is often known, was reintroduced in May 2005 by U.S. Representative Joe Barton (R-Texas), chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

The next stop for The Right to Repair Act is the full House Energy and Commerce Committee. A date has not yet been scheduled.

The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) is a national organization representing companies in the automotive aftermarket.

For a list of how the subcommittee members voted, contact CARE at (800) 229-5380.