The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) applauds the White House’s new “Freedom to Fix” initiative, recognizing it as an important step toward promoting consumer choice, increasing competition, and helping reduce vehicle repair costs for American families.
President Donald J. Trump recently issued a Presidential Memorandum titled “Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix,” directing federal agencies to identify unnecessary barriers that limit consumers’ ability to repair the products they own. The memorandum also seeks to ensure that consumers and independent repair businesses are not unnecessarily restricted when performing lawful vehicle repairs, including those involving emissions-related systems. Together, these efforts are intended to expand repair options, foster competition, and help lower costs for American consumers.
While the memorandum applies broadly across numerous industries, its principles are especially relevant to the automotive repair sector, where consumers continue to face rising repair costs and fewer choices in the marketplace. Expanding access to safe, high-quality aftermarket replacement parts and preserving a competitive repair marketplace are essential to ensuring vehicle repairs remain affordable.
For decades, the ABPA has advocated for policies that preserve competition in the collision repair industry and ensure consumers have access to safe, high-quality alternative replacement parts. The Association has also supported federal Right to Repair legislation, worked alongside industry partners to promote consumer choice, and highlighted the growing financial impact of vehicle repairs through recent research and public education initiatives.
Most recently, the ABPA’s Totaled: The Real Costs of Vehicle Loss research documented the increasing economic consequences of rising repair costs and the growing number of vehicles being declared total losses. The findings reinforce the importance of policies that encourage competition, expand repair options, and help preserve affordable vehicle repairs for consumers.
Although the Presidential Memorandum does not immediately change existing laws or regulations, it signals continued federal interest in policies that encourage competitive repair markets and reduce unnecessary restrictions on consumers, independent repair businesses, and the use of quality aftermarket replacement parts.
“The ABPA applauds the Administration for recognizing the important role that consumer choice and competition play in helping lower vehicle repair costs,” said Edward Salamy, Executive Director of the Automotive Body Parts Association. “Consumers deserve the freedom to choose safe, high-quality replacement parts and qualified repair professionals without unnecessary restrictions. When consumers have access to quality aftermarket replacement parts and independent repair options, everyone benefits through lower costs, greater innovation, and a healthier marketplace. We look forward to working with policymakers and industry stakeholders to advance policies that protect consumer choice and help keep vehicle ownership affordable for American families.”
The ABPA will continue monitoring implementation of the memorandum and any future regulatory or legislative actions that may affect the collision repair industry. As additional developments occur, the Association will keep members informed and continue advocating for policies that promote competition, affordability, and consumer choice.
To learn more, readers are encouraged to review the White House Presidential Memorandum, “Lowering the Cost of Living by Promoting the Freedom to Fix,” at:
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2026/06/lowering-the-cost-of-living-by-promoting-the-freedom-to-fix/
