ASA Contact:	Caroline Holland (202) 543-1440
AIAM Contact:	Kim Custer (703) 247-2110
Auto Alliance Contact:	Charles Territo (202) 326-5523
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-43 July 26, 2007

Manufacturers, Independent Repairers Question 'Bogus Solution' to Auto Repair Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 26, 2007 - The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the Automotive Service Association cautioned legislators and consumers not to be fooled by the so-called "Right to Repair" legislation. The groups believe that the "Motor Vehicle Right to Repair Act," backed by the "CARE Coalition," a group that includes Advance Auto, AutoZone, Carquest, Jiffy Lube, Midas, NAPA, O'Reilly's Auto Parts and others, is a solution looking for a problem.

Last July, Consumer Reports issued the following statement about the legislation:

"Bogus Solution to High Auto-Repair Costs
Gaining steam in Congress, the "Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act" sounds great on the surface. Backed by four leading consumer groups, including the Automobile Association of America and the Center for Auto Safety, the bill's aim is to keep car-repair costs in check. However, this bill may not cut costs to consumers, and it could compromise vehicle antitheft systems and allow unscrupulous mechanics to retune vehicles to crank up performance--and tailpipe pollutants.

What's more, advocates of the bill, led by the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), which is comprised of aftermarket parts distributors and large service chains, including AutoZone, CARQUEST, Jiffy Lube, and NAPA, are exaggerating a problem that affects a miniscule 0.2 percent of auto-repair customers. A Consumer Reports analysis of CARE's own data and of Congressional testimony shows that the problem the bill addresses has already been solved."

To help resolve service- and repair-related issues, independent repairers are encouraged to work through the National Automotive Service Task Force. NASTF serves as a forum to identify and resolve gaps involving motor vehicle repair information and tools. This national, voluntary solution has proven to be an effective resource for repairers and manufacturers alike, and over the course of the past six years, has managed to develop an effective forum to point independent repairers to the information and tools they need, and to provide a mechanism to report and resolve the few gaps that remain.

Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive, said, "ASA is proud of the progress made for independent repairers relative to service, training and tool information. The 2002 ASA-Automaker agreement provides our industry a model for information that will assure repairers the necessary information for the foreseeable future."

Roughly 75 percent of all post-warranty repairs are performed by independent repair facilities. This resolution ensures the continuing viability of the automotive service industry and eliminates the need for current and future legislation.

Mike Stanton, AIAM president and CEO, said, "We believe our customers should seek vehicle repair services wherever reliable and first-rate service is offered. Automakers work very hard to make high-quality cars and trucks, and their reputations could be jeopardized if customers felt they could not go to the service and repair store of their choosing."

Dave McCurdy, Alliance CEO, stated, "Manufacturers recognize the importance of the independent repair industry and want to make sure that consumers have the option of having their vehicles serviced by the repairer of their choice."

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