Automakers and Aftermarket Finalize National Agreement to Preserve Consumer Choice in Auto Repair:  The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance), the Association of Global Automakers (Global), the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality (CARE) announced on Jan. 22 their collective acceptance of a national agreement to ensure consumer choice in post-warranty auto repair, decisively ending the longstanding Right to Repair debate within the industry. 

The national agreement is based on a recent law finalized in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Chapter 165 of the Acts of 2013). The signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) extends the essential provisions for all light vehicles negotiated in the Massachusetts law nationwide; it impacts all companies and organizations that are currently members of the signatory associations.

This national agreement means that the Alliance, Global, AAIA and CARE will stand down in their fight on Right to Repair and work collectively to actively oppose individual state legislation, while our respective groups work to implement this MOU. In the meantime, the parties agree that further state legislation is not needed and could serve to weaken the effectiveness and clarity of the MOU.

"Automakers manufacture high quality, innovative vehicles that provide strong value, safety and convenience to our customers," said Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers. "Accessible, efficient, accurate and competitively-priced repair and service are paramount, and franchised dealers and the aftermarket play unique and important roles in the repair process."

"We are excited that consumers and independent repair facilities around the nation will have the same access to the information, tools and software needed to service late model computer controlled vehicles as is required under the Massachusetts Right to Repair statute," said Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO, AAIA. "We believe that the resulting competitive repair market is a win-win for car companies, the independent repair industry and most importantly consumers."

"Much like with fuel efficiency and greenhouse gases, a single national standard regarding vehicle repair protocols is imperative," said Mike Stanton, president and CEO, Association of Global Automakers. "A patchwork of 50 differing state bills, each with its own interpretations and compliance parameters, doesn't make sense. This agreement provides the uniform clarity our industry needs and a nationwide platform to move on."

"Since the first Right to Repair Act was introduced in Congress in 2001, CARE and the automotive aftermarket has worked to ensure our customers continue to have the right to choose where they buy their parts and have their vehicles serviced," said Ray Pohlman, president, CARE. "This agreement will ensure vehicle owners will have competitive and quality choices in their repairs while strengthening the auto repair industry nationwide. This agreement illustrates what can happen when organizations focus on putting customers and consumers first."

Additional information on the agreement can be found at http://www.aftermarket.org/News/Automakers-and-Aftermarket-Move-to-Preserve-Consumer-Choice-in-Auto-Repair.html.

The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is asking its members to assist in obtaining information regarding the use of trichloroethylene (TCE) in auto care products and processes. The information is critical to addressing efforts now underway at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review its assessment process. In January 2013, EPA issued a notice that their previous assessment of TCE use would be reviewed due to inconsistencies in the scientific peer review responses received.

In order to better safeguard the auto care industry from potential regulatory decisions by the EPA, AAIA is delving into the current use or non-use of TCE. If your organization does any of the following, please contact Sheila Andrews, AAIA, at sheila.andrews@aftermarket.org or call 301-654-6664.