CAR Coalition Praises Bipartisan Focus on Consumers’ Right to Repair Their Vehicles

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The CAR Coalition, a growing group of independent automotive parts, management and repair companies, associations, and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, today praised the bipartisan members of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet for holding a hearing on consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Led by Subcommittee Chairman Darrel Issa (R-CA), the lead co-sponsor of the SMART Act (H.R. 1707), which expands consumer access to reliable auto parts for vehicle repair, members heard from witnesses about the economic impact of expanded repair options.

“Today’s hearing makes clear there is broad bipartisan support for consumers’ right to repair their vehicles,” CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said. “As Chairman Issa said, the right to repair empowers consumers and drives economic growth and prosperity. Repair restrictions imposed by auto manufacturers are designed to protect corporations, not consumers. The CAR Coalition stands proudly on the side of consumers in this fight.”

Among those testifying at today’s hearing was Aaron Perzanowski, Professor of Law at the University of Michigan, and author of a white paper on the importance of right to repair through the REPAIR Act (H.R. 906), which provides consumers with access to their vehicle data. In his testimony he said, “Repair is as old as humanity. Repair has always kept pace. But today, manufacturers are employing a range of strategies that restrict repair from their hardware and software design choices to clamp down on secondary markets.”

Also testifying today was Paul Roberts, Founder, SecuRepairs.org; Founder and Editor-in-Chief, the Security Ledger. In his testimony he stated, “Federal right to repair legislation like the REPAIR Act and the Fair Repair Act will greatly improve the quality of life for consumers, families and communities while promoting small business and reducing e waste throughout the country.”

According to a recent YouGov Survey of 1,000 vehicle owners conducted June 29 – July 5, 2023, a sizable majority of Americans support a federal vehicle right-to-repair law that would prevent automakers from restricting vehicle owners’ repair options. Americans believe they should be able to decide where and who repairs their vehicle and have access to their vehicle’s data. They also showed a strong preference for independent repair shops over dealerships. Key results included:

94% want to choose WHERE their vehicle is repaired
93% want to choose WHO repairs their vehicle
79% are willing to share their vehicle data with independent repair shops
75% support legislation preventing auto manufacturers from restricting consumer access to vehicle data
74% believe vehicle owners should have access to their vehicle data
63% would take their vehicle to an independent repair shop

To learn more about the survey and the SMART (H.R. 1707) and REPAIR (H.R. 906) Acts, please visit carcoalition.com.

About the CAR Coalition

The CAR Coalition is committed to preserving and protecting consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring competition in the automotive collision parts industry. Members include: Allstate, American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA), Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency, Inc. (AMECA), AutoZone, Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), CarParts.com, Diamond Standard, Farmers Insurance, KSI Auto Parts, LKQ Corporation, PartsTrader, and Tire Pros. Learn more at carcoalition.com.