ASA Launches ‘Open for Business’ Campaign on Behalf of Independent Repairers
BEDFORD, TEXAS, April 24, 2008 - Citing concerns about misinformation surrounding the “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act,” the Automotive Service Association (ASA) is firing back with a campaign aimed at ensuring consumers that independent repair shops are “Open for Business.”
“Proponents of H.B. 296, The Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, are doing independent repairers in Massachusetts a great disservice by implying that only franchised dealers can repair today’s vehicles. We want to set the record straight,” said Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive. “Every auto manufacturer makes available to independent repair shops the same service and repair information it makes available to dealers.”
Independent repairers continue to use third-party information providers, and the automaker Web sites are an additional source for service information. Links to all original equipment manufacturer Web sites can be found on the ASA Web site, www.ASAshop.org. The Web sites are also listed on the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) Web site, www.NASTF.org.
ASA encourages independent repairers to work through NASTF to help identify and rectify any repair-related concerns they may have. NASTF serves as a forum to resolve any potential gaps involving service and 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 become a productive forum for dialogue between independent repairers, other industry stakeholders and automakers, as well as an effective mechanism to help identify and resolve any issues that arise.
Rusty Savignac, co-owner of Paxton Garage in Paxton, Mass., adds, “I am concerned that consumers are being left with the impression that independent repairers like myself can’t fix today’s vehicles. That is simply not the case. I own an independent repair shop and am adamantly opposed to the Right to Repair legislation. All of the necessary service information has been made easily accessible on a number of Web sites. This legislation is addressing a problem that does not exist. If repairers are willing to make an effort to keep up with the changing technologies, they should have no problem repairing any vehicle that comes in the door.”
ASA’s consumer campaign will focus on rebuilding consumers’ trust in their local neighborhood repair shops. To help support local technicians, ASA will also hold a series of Service Information Workshop programs throughout Massachusetts beginning May 6 in Canton, May 7 in Worcester, and May 8 in New Bedford. All dates, times and locations for these free educational sessions can be found at www.ASAshop.org by clicking on the “Education & Training” tab in the top menu.
For more information about service information availability issues and legislative concerns, visit www.TakingTheHill.com.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA’s headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.
ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. The independent automotive repair professionals who join the association agree to follow ASA’s Code of Ethics – the automotive service industry’s standard for professional business practices with consumers in mind.
Motorists nationwide can identify ASA members by their red, white and blue ASA sign. Members may also be found using ASA’s popular online shop locator found in the Find Nearest ASA Shop section of www.ASAshop.org. This convenient tool includes maps and directions, and motorists may search for ASA locations using ZIP code, city, state, shop name, shop type, or any combination of these options.
For additional information about ASA, go to www.ASAshop.org or visit ASA’s legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com. To learn about ASA’s member benefits or to join, call (800) 272-7467, ext. 295; or access the benefits portfolio within ASA OnDemand, which can be downloaded from www.ASAOnDemand.com.
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