'Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act' Lets Owners Choose Where, How and by Whom To Have Repairs and Parts of Their Choice

Wellstone's Gives Vehicle Owners the Right to ALEXANDRIA, Va., June 13 -- Sen. Paul Wellstone (D-MN) today introduced companion legislation to end the unfair monopoly by big car manufacturers to maintain control over certain repair information that results in car owners often being forced to pay more and travel long distances for auto repairs and parts replacements.

"The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act" is the companion to HR 2735, introduced by U.S. Reps. Joe Barton (R-TX) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY), in August 2001. As part of the 1990 Clean Air Act, Congress mandated that vehicles built after 1994 be equipped with a computer system to monitor vehicle emissions. As vehicles have advanced, so have the computer systems installed which now control vital systems such as brakes, ignition, ignition keys, air bags, steering mechanisms, climate control and sound systems. This law had the unintended consequence of making the vehicle manufacturers the "gatekeepers" on who can repair or produce replacement parts for vehicles.

This legislation allows the vehicle owners -- and not the car manufacturers -- to own the repair and parts information on their personal property, this time their vehicles. It simply allows motoring consumers to have the ability to choose where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired and to choose the replacement parts of their choice -- even to work on their own vehicles if they choose.

"The leadership of Senator Wellstone and Representatives Barton and Towns will mean literally hundreds of dollars, if not more, saved for millions of car owners across the nation," said David Parde, President, Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). Parde added, "'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act' can have even more of a financial impact on millions of low-fixed- and middle income Americans than the recent tax cuts."

Automobile dealer repairs can cost up to 20% more than what an independent technician or small neighborhood garage charge. A recent study estimates that in California alone, by 2008, motor repair bills will increase by an astounding $17 billion. These cost increases are largely borne by low-fixed- and middle income consumers as vehicles built after the mid-1990s rapidly make their way into the used car market and more come out of warranty.

"'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act' is steeped in basic American principles, namely, that consumers, after having purchased a product, have the right to make their own decisions regarding their property. This 'Fair Repair' legislation is truly an embodiment of American values," concluded Parde.

The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) is a national organization representing companies in the automotive aftermarket, among them: NAPA, AutoZone, CARQUEST, Advance Auto, Jiffy Lube, O'Reilly's Auto Parts, CSK Auto, Inc., (parent company of Checker, Schuck, Kragen) and Midas.

The automotive aftermarket employs five million people nationwide in 495,000 locations.