Multi-Million Dollar Campaign to Build Support for Reforms to Strengthen Consumer Choice, Stop Design Patent Misuse and Promote Competition in the Auto Repair Marketplace
WASHINGTON, D.C. (September 30, 2021) – The CAR Coalition, a growing group of independent automotive parts and repair companies, associations and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, has launched a multi-million dollar campaign in support of the right to repair movement and key legislative measures, including the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act and other bills to come. At a time when Americans are getting squeezed by rising prices, the SMART Act will empower consumers to choose quality, safe, and affordable aftermarket parts, while still respecting the intellectual property rights of automakers. The national education and mobilization effort will feature a microsite, display and video paid advertising, a “write your member of Congress” feature and an integrated government relations push:
“We’re excited to kickstart this national campaign in the fight to restore consumer choice, lower auto repair costs, and ensure greater competition in the alternative parts industry,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “Consumers and small businesses lose when 15-year design patents keep independent manufacturers from offering safe, quality, and affordable aftermarket repair parts. The SMART Act would combat design patent abuse that restricts choice and drives up prices by reducing the time that car manufacturers can enforce design patents on common aftermarket parts, like side mirrors and bumpers.
“The right to repair movement is about making sure that Americans have control over their data and how and where they fix their products, especially cars. Following President Biden’s executive order on competition and the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) ‘Nixing the Fix’ report, we’re excited to help Americans get informed and engaged.”
In addition to the CAR Coalition, which includes American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA), AutoZone, and LKQ Corporation, the SMART Act is supported by the Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety Coalition, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), Auto Care Association, RetireSafe, AARP, and more.
Visit www.carrepairchoice.org for more information.
Follow us at @CarRepairChoice on Twitter and LinkedIn for updates.
Sign the letter to Congress: www.carrepairchoice.org/take-action
Read the SMART Act, President Biden’s Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy, and FTC’s “Nixing the Fix” report.
Download our right to repair toolkit to learn more about the SMART Act.
For media inquiries, please email [email protected]
ABOUT THE CAR COALITION
The CAR Coalition is committed to preserving and protecting consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring competition in the automotive collision parts industry. Members include: Allstate, APCIA, ABPA, Automotive Manufacturers Equipment Compliance Agency, Inc. (AMECA), AutoZone, Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), Diamond Standard, Geotab, KSI Auto Parts, and LKQ Corporation.
Follow us on Twitter @TheCARCoalition and LinkedIn
