'Right to Repair' Gains Momentum

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'Right to Repair' Gains Momentum as Seven More Members of Congress Co-Sponsor Bill

Reps. Etheridge, Filner, Hare, Honda, Rothman, Sestak, Shea-Porter
Support HR 2057

BETHESDA, Md., June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Seven more members of
Congress declared their support of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to
Repair Act (HR 2057) following the Memorial Day recess, raising the total
number of co-sponsors to 23.

Reps. Bob Etheridge (D-NC), Bob Filner (D-CA), Phil Hare (D-IL),
Michael Honda (D-CA), Steven Rothman (D-NJ), Joe Sestak (D-PA) and Carol
Shea-Porter (D-NH) are the most recent co-sponsors of the Right to Repair
Act which has gained new co-sponsors nearly each week since its
introduction.

"We applaud these seven members of Congress for supporting this
critical piece of legislation which ensures the continued availability of
convenient and affordable vehicle repairs for consumers," said Kathleen
Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry
Association (AAIA).

Because vehicles are becoming increasingly sophisticated with virtually
every system either monitored or controlled by computers, servicing these
vehicle systems to keep them in safe and efficient working condition
requires ready access to complete and accurate information from the car
companies. The Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) was introduced into the 111th
Congress by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George
Miller (D-CA) to ensure that car owners and their trusted repair shops have
the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the franchised
new car dealer network.

"Right to Repair has gained more importance as motorists seek new
neighborhood repair shops because a dealership has closed in their area.
This bill ensures equitable access to repair information, protecting
consumers' right to select the repair facility of their choice, while also
protecting car company trade secrets. With all the uncertainty in the
automotive industry these days, it is clear that the time to pass Right to
Repair is now," continued Schmatz.

About Right to Repair:

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by
Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA),
would require car companies to make the same service information and tools
capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide 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. The bill
clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing
the bill's requirements. For more information about the Right to Repair
Act, visit http://www.righttorepair.org.