This National Small Business Week, independent business owners and drivers across the country are calling on Congress to pass bipartisan right to repair legislation – like the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act (H.R. 906) – to ensure that America’s 200,000+ independent shops can continue providing quality and affordable car repairs for their communities.
As Andrea McGee of the National Federation of Independent Business notes in new commentary for Washington Examiner, small businesses and consumers alike stand to gain from the bipartisan REPAIR Act:
“…[A]uto repair shops and small businesses that frequently need car repairs, from truckers to farmers to your local plumbers and electricians, whose jobs rely on them driving to and from appointments all over town. These small businesses would benefit from the REPAIR Act. The sooner Congress acts, the better. Without reform, some 230,000 auto repair shops are looking down a dead-end street, and millions of other small businesses and consumers could face increased costs and fewer options to repair their vehicles.”
– Andrea McGee, National Federation of Independent Business
Per a recent Consumer Reports survey, American consumers overwhelmingly prefer independent repair shops over dealerships for car repairs because they provide convenient, trustworthy, and affordable service close to home.
Unfortunately, these shops are finding it increasingly difficult to serve their customers due to automakers’ growing restrictions on collision repair parts and vehicle data access, which tilt the playing field against independent repairers.
As a recent survey from the Auto Care Association found, “the majority (63%) of independent repair shops experience difficulties making routine repairs on a daily or weekly basis,” with half (51%) of independent repair shops having to send up to 5 vehicles a month to the dealer due to automakers’ unfair locks on vehicle data and software needed for routine repairs and maintenance.
It doesn’t have to be this way. As shown in a new video campaign from MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, a safe and secure system already exists to provide equal access to necessary vehicle repair and maintenance information – and the REPAIR Act would make sure this system is deployed across the automotive aftermarket.
Performing the majority of aftermarket auto repairs, independent repair shops need the REPAIR Act and other bipartisan solutions like the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act (H.R. 1707) to continue helping customers get back out on the road safely and affordably.
Tell Congress today is the day to protect these vital small businesses by advancing these bipartisan solutions!
