US Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) introduced H.R. 906, the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act,” as the result of the efforts of SEMA, MEMA Aftermarket, the Auto Care Association and the CAR Coalition, the Specialty Equipment Market Association said today. The REPAIR Act seeks to protect consumers’ rights to decide where and with what parts they can use to repair and maintain their vehicles. Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) are the co-sponsors of the bill, which in various guises goes back more than a decade.*
SEMA said the bill prohibits manufacturers from imposing technological or legal barriers that block aftermarket replacement part manufacturers from accessing critical information and tools necessary to develop interoperable products with emerging vehicle technology. The bill has not been published yet.** It is apparently residing somewhere at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is embroiled in an anti-vaccination probe of the Biden Administration.
“The overall lack of responsiveness, the suppression of dissenting voices in the COVID origins investigation, and the frequent mixed messaging on health precautions – the NIH is falling far short of its goals of integrity and accountability,” claimed House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) less than a week ago at the joint Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee and Health Subcommittee hearing titled “The Federal Response to COVID. “For the past two years, we’ve pressed for answers about what kind of research you’re funding with taxpayer dollars and what sort of oversight you’re doing to ensure funds are not being misspent,” she said.
AutoInformed wonders how much time she has for helping people with another Big Government directive or regulation? Stay tuned to see if cross-threads impede the repair.
“New barriers to working on your own vehicle, independent automotive repair and manufacturing replacement parts are emerging as vehicle technology evolves. While many aftermarket businesses and automotive enthusiasts rely on access to diagnostic data through the OBD-II port, they also need access to telematics data and information that is wirelessly transmitted directly to vehicle manufacturers. The REPAIR Act ensures that vehicle owners and repair businesses have access to this information, which is critical to maintaining a competitive repair market,” SEMA said today.
Repair Act Provisions
- Establishes the right for replacement part manufacturers and independent repair shops to access critical information, tools and equipment needed to maintain vehicles.
- Requires companies producing vehicles equipped with telematics to make any critical repair information and tools available to replacement part manufacturers and repair facilities at a fair and reasonable cost.
- Provides vehicle owners with data and information wirelessly generated by their vehicles.
- Establishes a right for vehicle owners to securely share their vehicle’s repair and maintenance data with their repairer of choice.
*AutoInformed on
** Last years’ version of the Repair Act Bill (HR 6950 ) HERE. It was introduced in the House during the 117th Congress, but there was no further action.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Repair Act Introduced Again
US Representative Neal Dunn (R-FL) introduced H.R. 906, the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act,” as the result of the efforts of SEMA, MEMA Aftermarket, the Auto Care Association and the CAR Coalition, the Specialty Equipment Market Association said today. The REPAIR Act seeks to protect consumers’ rights to decide where and with what parts they can use to repair and maintain their vehicles. Representatives Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) are the co-sponsors of the bill, which in various guises goes back more than a decade.*
SEMA said the bill prohibits manufacturers from imposing technological or legal barriers that block aftermarket replacement part manufacturers from accessing critical information and tools necessary to develop interoperable products with emerging vehicle technology. The bill has not been published yet.** It is apparently residing somewhere at the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is embroiled in an anti-vaccination probe of the Biden Administration.
“The overall lack of responsiveness, the suppression of dissenting voices in the COVID origins investigation, and the frequent mixed messaging on health precautions – the NIH is falling far short of its goals of integrity and accountability,” claimed House Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy Rodgers (R-WA) less than a week ago at the joint Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee and Health Subcommittee hearing titled “The Federal Response to COVID. “For the past two years, we’ve pressed for answers about what kind of research you’re funding with taxpayer dollars and what sort of oversight you’re doing to ensure funds are not being misspent,” she said.
AutoInformed wonders how much time she has for helping people with another Big Government directive or regulation? Stay tuned to see if cross-threads impede the repair.
“New barriers to working on your own vehicle, independent automotive repair and manufacturing replacement parts are emerging as vehicle technology evolves. While many aftermarket businesses and automotive enthusiasts rely on access to diagnostic data through the OBD-II port, they also need access to telematics data and information that is wirelessly transmitted directly to vehicle manufacturers. The REPAIR Act ensures that vehicle owners and repair businesses have access to this information, which is critical to maintaining a competitive repair market,” SEMA said today.
Repair Act Provisions
*AutoInformed on
** Last years’ version of the Repair Act Bill (HR 6950 ) HERE. It was introduced in the House during the 117th Congress, but there was no further action.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.