Aftermarket Insider Volume 65 - (Page 2)

PRESiDENT’S MESSAGE the good fight Hanging Tough on Right to Repair AAiA has been fighting the car makers for equal access to diagnostic and repair information for the independent aftermarket since 2001 through the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, and before then in the 90s with the Clean Air Act. For more than a decade, the association has doggedly fought for the independent service and repair businesses and for the consumer. While we have not yet passed legislation or convinced the carmakers to come to the negotiating table to discuss a nonlegislative agreement with real teeth, some might say we have been winning. We and our partner organizations have succeeded in securing Congressional sponsors to introduce legislation every year since 2001 and we have “as a trade association, we must do all that we can do for as long as we can to require the Oes to provide the same service information and tools to the independent service providers as they do to dealerships...” We understand there is Right to Repair Act fatigue out there in parts of the industry. Obtaining legislation is costly and frustrating. But, as a trade association, we must do all that we can do for as long as we can to require the OEs to provide the same service information and tools to the independent service providers as they do to dealerships, to ensure that consumers have a choice in where they take their vehicle for service and repair. I am convinced that if it was not for the unrelenting pressure of the Right to Repair Act, the amount of information that is currently available to independent repair shops would not be there. worked hard in several states. At this time Massachusetts is a key battleground and everyone is watching. And speaking of Massachusetts, if the Right to Repair Act is not necessary because all of the information is already available as the carmakers and dealers and ASA claim, then why the heck are they spending so much money and time in Massachusetts to kill the bill? They have employed more than 40 lobbyists and launched media advertising for an estimated total monthly investment of $500,000. Maybe there is more at stake in this battle for the car companies and dealers than they are letting on? Be sure to read the article on page 8. Kathleen schmatz AAIA President & CEO 2 | AFTERMARKET INSIDER 2010 | VOLUME 65 http://www.righttorepair.org

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Aftermarket Insider Volume 65

Aftermarket Insider Volume 65
Contents
President's Message
An Unwelcome Oil Change
Investigating the Cold, Hard Truth About the Right to Repair Battle
Industry News
Member Profile
Toolbox
AAPEX News
Campaign Update
Technology Update
Industry News
International Focus
Market Research

Aftermarket Insider Volume 65