MOTOR VEHICLE OWNERS' RIGHT TO REPAIR ACT -- HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS (Extensions of Remarks - October 03, 2001)

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HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS OF NEW YORK IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Wednesday, October 3, 2001

Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, on August 2, 2001, I introduced HR 2735, ``The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act of 2001'' to ensure that all motoring consumers have the freedom of choice of where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired, maintained and to choose the parts of their choice. I introduced HR 2735 to offer protection to consumers who will suffer from high, non-competitive prices.

But since the introduction of HR 2735, my state of New York and the United States have been changed forever by the devastating attack of September 11th on American lives, our way of lif e, and our economic foundations. It is now more important than ever for the passage of HR 2735, which will bring economic relief to consumers and small business.
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Since September 11th, many citizens have chosen to drive their vehicles to work, to recreation and to vacation sites, rather than take other means of public transportation. This means that consumers will be spending an ever-increasing amount of time in their vehicles. And, that means that these vehicles will need more repairs and parts replaced.

Another consequence of September 11th is the attack on America's economic foundation. Many businesses will close their doors due to the inability to continue to provide consumer services. Now, more than ever, we in Congress must work to bolster business, not hi nder it with the economic chains of monopolies. Passage of HR 2735 will keep the doors open for many in the automotive aftermarket, allowing the domino effect of recovery to continue.

HR 2735 will open the door to motoring consumers who are away from home, whether for business or pleasure, to have unforeseen repairs and parts replaced at the shop of their choice and with the parts of their choice. HR 2735 will allow motoring consumers to dispense with fears of being caught in strange localities or being forced back to dealerships. Consumers will be able to make competitive choices.

For several years, Congress mandated that vehicles come manufactured with a computer system to monitor vehicle emissions. As vehicles have advanced, so have the computer systems installed which now control vital systems such as brakes, ignition, ignition keys, air bags, steering mechanisms and climate control. What began as a clean air measure became an unintended `` vehicle in itself'' to a repair and parts information monopoly by car manufacturers.

The end result is that motorists have become chained to the car manufacturers and their car dealers in order to have their vehicles repaired and parts replaced. Instead of exercising America's free-market ability to choose the automotive technician, shop and parts of their choice--or even work on the vehicles themselves, this lock-out of information has forced motorists to return to car dealers and forced them in many instances into paying higher, noncompetitive costs. Simple tasks such as having an ignition key duplicated can cost $45 or more.

Passage of HR 2735 is essential to the economic structure of the vehicle independent repair industry, as well as the limited budgets of many consumers and their safety.

Passage of HR 2735 will allow motorists who do not live near car dealerships to have their vehicles quickly and efficiently repaired, without being forced into driving a great distance in a problematic car to a dealership, jeopardizing their safety and that of others. It will allow motorists to work on their vehicles and will allow motorists to save money.

Passage of HR 2735 will empower motorists and will not restrict their choices of repair shops, including the desire of those who wish to go to car dealerships. It will allow motorists to actually own the repair and parts information to their own vehicles and to be the ultimate decisionmakers--instead of the car manufacturers--of their own vehicles.

Now more than ever is the time for Congress to keep consumers and small business sound, not pigeon-holed into unnecessary and expensive monopolies. Freedom to choose and to compete is the American Way.
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