United States. The U.S. Congress has reintroduced the Right to Fair and Professional Repair in the Automotive Industry Act (REPAIR), with the goal of protecting consumer choice and ensuring a more competitive vehicle repair market.
The regulation seeks to ensure that vehicle owners and independent repair shops have access to the information, tools and software necessary for car maintenance and repair, thus avoiding manufacturers' monopoly on this data.
The initiative was introduced by Reps. Neal Dunn, Brendan Boyle, Warren Davidson and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, with the endorsements of 12 other bipartisan lawmakers.
Currently, 70% of the 292 million vehicles on the road in the U.S. are maintained by independent shops, who are facing increasing difficulties due to restrictions imposed by manufacturers.
According to studies by Hanover Research and Babcox, more than 60% of independent shops struggle with routine repairs due to lack of access to technical information, while more than 50% must ship vehicles back to dealerships, increasing costs and inconvenience for drivers. Without this law, manufacturers could continue to limit access to essential data, resulting in higher prices, fewer service options, and longer wait times.
The legislation has been endorsed by a variety of industry associations, including the Auto Care Association, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, the Consumer Repair Access Coalition (CAR), and the Commercial Vehicle Solutions Network (CVSN). Likewise, a survey by the CAR Coalition found that 94% of car owners support the right to choose where to repair their vehicle and 75% are in favour of preventing manufacturers from restricting access to car data.
Keys to the REPAIR Act
- Consumer Access and Choice: Ensures that independent owners and shops can access the information needed for safe and efficient repairs.
- Fair competition: Prevents manufacturers from monopolizing repair data, allowing competition on a level playing field.
- Security and cybersecurity: Ensures that access to repair information is secure and does not compromise the integrity of the vehicle.
- Regulatory Compliance: Allows for proper calibration and restoration of brake systems, ADAS, and other safety elements.
