As automakers fight Massachusetts’ right to repair law in court, Washington policymakers and local advocates showed their support for consumers’ right to repair their cars at a recent roundtable hosted by Direct Tires & Auto Service, an independent repair shop in Watertown, MA.
Joined by Direct Tires & Auto Service’s president and CEO Bob Lane, U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan underscored that repair restrictions hurt independent businesses and consumers alike.
As reported by State House News Service, MassLive, and Boston Globe, Bob Lane shared that he’s had to turn away customers due to unfair automaker practices, like vehicle data restrictions:
“To tell a client that I’m unable to fix their car — it’s not fun. It’s not enjoyable. The client doesn’t like to hear it. They wasted their time, they came here to have to leave, not have their issue resolved and go somewhere else.”
– Bob Lane, President & CEO, Direct Tires & Auto Service
Federal right to repair legislation, like the bipartisan REPAIR and SMART Acts, would level the playing field between independent repair shops and automakers’ exclusive repair networks – increasing consumer access to quality, safe, and affordable car repairs.
During last November’s subcommittee markup of the REPAIR Act Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), lead sponsor of the REPAIR Act, noted that a national legislative solution is critical to restoring choice in the car repair process:
“We cannot allow the repair industry to be vertically integrated at the expense of American jobs and the expense of losing the right to repair your own car. Now, as technology continues to evolve faster than consumer protection laws, it’s time for an update. I believe the REPAIR Act is the proper response to a vertically integrated repair industry.”
– Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Lead Sponsor, REPAIR Act
If you agree that consumers should be able to repair their cars however and wherever they choose, join us in urging Congress to take action on the REPAIR and SMART Acts today!
