By Edward Salamy, Executive Director, the ABPA

The national Right to Repair debate moved further into the public spotlight this week following comments made by President Donald Trump regarding consumers’ ability to repair their own vehicles.

Speaking during a public press event after meeting with automotive industry leaders, President Trump expressed concern over efforts that could restrict consumers and independent repair professionals from repairing vehicles.

“We had the auto industry in yesterday…they don’t want people to fix their car,” President Trump stated.

He continued by questioning why consumers could potentially face barriers to repairing their own vehicles and highlighted the value of mechanically skilled Americans who have long played an important role in maintaining and repairing vehicles independently.

The President’s full remarks can be viewed here:

https://x.com/Acyn/status/2062619716963950884/video/1?s=46

For the automotive aftermarket and collision repair industries, the comments represent a significant moment in the broader national discussion surrounding vehicle repair access, affordability, competition, and consumer choice.

As modern vehicles become increasingly dependent on software, diagnostics, calibration systems, and proprietary vehicle data, concerns continue to grow regarding who ultimately controls the repair process and how those decisions affect consumers.

These issues remain central to the ongoing national Right to Repair discussion, including federal legislation currently being debated in Washington.

For consumers, the issue increasingly extends beyond convenience and into affordability. Rising repair costs, increasing insurance premiums, and the growing number of vehicles being declared total losses continue to place financial pressure on American families.

The ABPA has previously highlighted many of these concerns through consumer-focused research initiatives, including Dr. Blaire O’Neal’s report, “Totaled: The Real Costs of Vehicle Loss,” which examines the financial impact of rising vehicle repair and replacement costs.

The report can be found here:

https://www.autobpa.com/research/totaled-the-real-costs-of-vehicle-loss/

The ABPA believes consumers should continue to have access to safe, competitive, and affordable vehicle repair options. Independent repair facilities, aftermarket manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers all play a critical role in helping preserve consumer choice and maintaining affordability within the collision repair marketplace.

The fact that Right to Repair concerns are now being discussed publicly by the President of the United States demonstrates how much attention this issue is receiving nationally.

The ABPA encourages industry members and stakeholders to stay engaged and continue supporting efforts that promote consumer choice, competition, and affordability within the automotive repair industry.

To learn more and participate in current advocacy efforts, visit the ABPA Take Action page:

https://www.autobpa.com/advocacy/take-action/

As the national conversation surrounding vehicle repair access continues to evolve, the ABPA will remain actively engaged in advocating for a competitive and consumer-focused automotive aftermarket.