So-Called 'Right to Repair' Legislation Moves to the New Jersey Senate for Debate

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Senate will now consider the so called Right to Repair Act after recent action by the New Jersey Assembly on Assembly Bill 803. This is just one of many steps in the legislative process. The New Jersey legislature has rejected Right to Repair legislation in the past along with other states and the U.S. Congress.

"If this were a Halloween contest, this bill would have won best costume. It's nothing more than a big parts manufacturer bailout bill masquerading as a consumer repair bill," commented Charles Territo, spokesperson for the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers.

The Alliance, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM), and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) urge proponents of this legislation to redirect their energies and resources to work within the cooperative framework of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF).

Ron Pyle, President of the Automotive Service Association, said, "I am concerned about the plight of New Jersey consumers if this bill becomes law. Already facing a high cost of living, New Jersey vehicle owners will see an increase in vehicle repair costs with the passage of the 'Right to Repair' legislation. The bill will drive up costs with the addition of a state regulatory agency in the service information marketplace and the fact that the bill also encourages litigation. This is a bad idea and hopefully the New Jersey Senate will stop it."

Automakers currently provide independent repairers with the same tools, training and service information as they provide their franchised dealers. The industry supports efforts such as those provided by NASTF that help ensure consumers have the ability to get their vehicles repaired by a service provider of choice.

"Unfortunately, this legislation is a solution looking for a problem," added Territo. "The U.S. Congress, the Federal Trade Commission and every other state legislature that has considered this legislation has rejected it. Its passage will discourage research and development and encourage counterfeiting. At a time when the industry can least afford it this bill puts auto industry jobs and customer service at risk."

Since its initial introduction in 2001, the so-called "Right to Repair" legislation has been rejected by the U.S. Congress and state legislatures in Florida, Oklahoma, Maine, New York, Nevada, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Most legislators agree that the voluntary agreement, put in place in 2002 and overseen by the U.S. Congress, is preferable to legislating a solution where no problem exists.

"AIAM and its member companies remain committed to fully supporting the successful and proven efforts by NASTF to enable release of the same service information and tools to the aftermarket as is provided to franchised dealers," said Michael J. Stanton, president and CEO of AIAM. "We applaud these existing efforts to work with independent service providers through NASTF to develop and advance voluntary programs that quickly and effectively address issues that arise as new vehicles continue their technological evolution."

Historically, about 75 percent of post-warranty vehicle service and repairs are performed in non-dealer shops. Automakers view these non-dealer shops as important players in providing service to their mutual customers, the driving public. Just as motor vehicles have become more complex, the servicing of them has also become a high-technology business requiring skilled, trained technicians and a sizeable investment in diagnostic and repair equipment.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

The Alliance is a trade association of 10 car and light truck manufacturers including BMW Group, Chrysler LLC, Ford Motor Co., General Motors Corp., Mazda, Mercedes-Benz USA, Mitsubishi Motors, Porsche, Toyota and Volkswagen.

AIAM is a trade association whose member companies include American Honda Motor Corp., American Suzuki Motor Corp., Aston Martin Lagonda of North America Inc., Ferrari North America Inc., Hyundai Motor America, Isuzu Motors America Inc., Kia Motors America, Maserati North America Inc., Mitsubishi Motors North America Inc., Nissan North America Inc., Peugeot Motors of America, Renault, SA, Subaru of America and Toyota Motor North America. AIAM also represents original equipment suppliers and other automotive-related trade associations.