| For Immediate Release July 30, 2002 |
Contact: Charles Territo, 202-326-5523 |
Repair Legislation Unnecessary
Washington, D.C. — At a hearing today before the Senate Consumer Protection Subcommittee, automakers testified that the "Consumers Right to Repair Act" (S. 2617) is not necessary because repair information is readily available. In fact, the Environmental Protection Agency shortly will release regulations that will facilitate automakers posting repair information on the Internet. The real issue in this debate centers around the release of proprietary information not needed for vehicle repairs. Auto manufacturers continue to oppose these aspects of the legislation that would give aftermarket parts manufacturers a competitive advantage and both inappropriate and unnecessary access to automaker intellectual property.
Testifying on behalf of the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Greg Dana, Vice President for Environmental Affairs stated, "Historically, about 75 percent of vehicle service and repairs are performed in non-dealer shops. The auto industry views these non-dealer shops as their partners in providing service to their mutual customers, the driving public. Automakers are required by law to provide all information to diagnose and repair engine, transmission, fuel, and emission control systems."
According to automakers, independent repair shops have the same repair capabilities as dealerships for emissions related repairs. In cases where repair information is not mandated by law (climate control, door controllers, air bags, etc.), automakers either already provide the information or are working to provide the information to independent repairers.
"Key members of the independent repair community, aftermarket trade association leaders, and automakers have agreed in various discussions that the remaining gaps and issues can be resolved cooperatively without the need for legislation. The automobile industry stands ready to work with all affected parties in resolving remaining differences. " said Dana.
"The real issue here," said Dana "is that automakers continue to oppose providing proprietary information to parts manufacturers. This is really a 'parts bill' masquerading as a 'repair bill'." Dana added that, "Repair shops do not need proprietary computer codes to diagnose and repair vehicles. This proprietary code is only useful to aftermarket part manufacturers who would like to copy our parts and sell them as their own or alter the operation of the vehicle to accept their parts. Automakers invest millions of dollars to design, develop, test, and certify quality parts, and we do not intend to release proprietary information not needed to repair vehicles."
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers is a trade association of 13 car and light truck manufacturers who account for more than 90 percent of U.S. vehicle sales. Member companies include BMW Group, DaimlerChrysler, Fiat, Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi Motors, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo. The auto industry employs about 460,000 people in California. For more information, visit the Alliance website at http://www.autoalliance.org/.
Mazda · Mitsubishi Motors · Nissan · Porsche · Toyota · Volkswagen · Volvo
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