Editor's Note: ABRN's coverage of New Jersey's attempts to pass Right to Repair legislation elicited the following response from the Coalition for Automotive Repair and Fair Information Xchange (CARFIX), the newly formed organization including the Automotive Service Association, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers. To read the story to which this letter refers, click here.
Legislation introduced by New Jersey Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer) to ensure consumer choice in getting their motor vehicles serviced is a classic case of a solution looking for a problem. The vast majority of independent service technicians are competing quite well, thank you, thanks to the effectiveness of a program that is already in place.
There's no doubt that independent shops need access to diagnostic tools and regularly updated information in order to diagnose and repair any problems that may arise. After all, today's cars and trucks have more computing power and advanced technology than NASA's last moon shot. It takes a sizable investment in equipment and extensive technician training to operate a competitive automotive repair shop.
Groups representing independent auto service technicians and automobile manufacturers have joined in the Coalition for Automotive Repair & Fair Information Exchange (CARFIX) to support the existing efforts and oppose the Motor Vehicle Owners‚ Right to Repair Act that has been proposed in the U.S. Congress. The coalition includes the Automotive Service Association (ASA), representing more than 65,000 independent auto service technicians employed by member businesses; the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers; and the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers.
Because of the effectiveness of the current program, there is no more need for New Jersey state legislation than there is for any action at the federal level.
Several years ago, independent service technician groups raised concerns about access to repair information from auto manufacturers. Due to the increasing complexity of today‚s motor vehicles, the need for this information was becoming more urgent every year. Historically, 75 percent of all post-warranty vehicle service and repairs are performed at independent shops.
All experience to date indicates that voluntary information sharing is working. The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) was designated to provide a forum for resolving complaints about access to tools and information. In 2004, out of an estimated 471 million repairs performed by independent automotive repair businesses across the country, NASTF received only 48 complaints regarding the availability of service information or access to diagnostic tools. All of those complaints were investigated and resolved.
The ASA, representing 65,000 independent service technicians employed by member businesses, sees no need for new laws since its members today have access to the information they need to repair vehicles. Consumers should, and do, have a choice in where to have their vehicles serviced and repaired. The current system has proven to be an effective way to ensure fair and open competition and should be continued.
Very truly yours,
Members of the Coalition for Automotive Repair and Fair Information Xchange (CARFIX)
- Automotive Service Association
- Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers
- Association of International Automobile Manufacturers
