Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association, will retire June 30, 2027, after more than 11 years leading the organization and more than four decades in the automotive aftermarket.

But Hanvey says one of the major issues of his tenure — the fight over independent repairers' access to vehicle data — will remain a priority until he leaves.

“While I have announced my retirement, my work is far from finished,” says Hanvey. “Over the coming months, I will continue fighting every day for our members and this industry, including tirelessly pursuing passage of Dr. Dunn’s REPAIR Act to protect vehicle owners and independent repair shops across America.”

For tire dealers who also provide automotive service, the federal right-to-repair debate could determine their future access to vehicle-generated diagnostic, repair and maintenance information as vehicles become increasingly connected.

Hanvey has previously discussed the issue with MTD and its implications for independent tire dealers, including the growing importance of access to vehicle data as vehicle technology evolves.

Right-to-repair fight continues

The Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act, or REPAIR Act, was introduced as H.R. 1566 by U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., in February 2025. MTD reported at the time that the legislation was designed to ensure vehicle owners and independent repair businesses could obtain repair and diagnostic data needed to service vehicles.

The bill has since gained 43 cosponsors. On Feb. 10, 2026, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade forwarded H.R. 1566 to the full committee by voice vote. Congress.gov still lists the standalone bill at the “Introduced” stage, and it has not passed the House.

The right-to-repair debate took another turn in May. Rather than advance H.R. 1566 itself, the full House Energy and Commerce Committee approved H.R. 7389, the Motor Vehicle Modernization Act of 2026, as amended by a 48-1 vote on May 21. The broader vehicle legislation contains automotive right-to-repair provisions, but Auto Care says they do not provide all of the protections contained in Dunn's REPAIR Act.

Following the committee vote, Hanvey said the language represented progress but “falls short” of what vehicle owners and independent repair shops need. Auto Care specifically continues to advocate for independent repairers to have access to wirelessly transmitted repair and maintenance data — an issue addressed by Dunn's legislation.

The committee-approved legislation does include provisions covering heavy-duty vehicles and new Federal Trade Commission enforcement authority, which Hanvey called important additions.

That unfinished legislative effort will now extend into Hanvey's final months as CEO.

Over a decade leading Auto Care

Hanvey has served as Auto Care Association president and CEO since Dec. 1, 2015.

During his tenure, the association helped advance right-to-repair legislation in Massachusetts and Maine and worked to ensure automotive repair and maintenance businesses were classified as essential services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The association also expanded its industry data resources under Hanvey, including TrendLens and its Demand Index, and established Associations in Motion to promote collaboration among aftermarket organizations internationally.

“On behalf of our members and the board of directors, I want to thank Bill for the extraordinary impact he has had on this industry,” says Greg Noethlich, chair of the Auto Care Association Board of Directors. “His leadership has left this association stronger, more data-driven and better positioned for the future, and we are deeply grateful for his years of service.”

Four decades in the aftermarket

Before becoming Auto Care's president and CEO, Hanvey served as senior vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association beginning in 2012. His earlier career included positions with Tenneco Automotive, FleetPride, Dorman Products Inc. and Schaeffler Group USA.

Hanvey received the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association's Mort Schwartz Outstanding Industry Leadership Award in 2020 and has served in several industry volunteer and board positions.

The Auto Care Association Board of Directors has retained executive search firm Korn Ferry to identify its next president and CEO.

“We are committed to finding the best possible candidate to lead this association forward for our members and the industry,” says Noethlich.

Hanvey will continue overseeing the association throughout the search and transition process.