New Vehicle Technologies
11 Bills in MA Legislature with Direct Implications for Auto Repairers Under Consideration
11 Bills in MA Legislature with Direct Implications for Auto Repairers Under Consideration At least ten bills introduced this year in the Massachusetts Legislature would have direct implications for auto repairers. Senate Bill (SB) 797 would set a $55/hour minimum labor rate for auto body repairs. It would also create an auto body labor rate…
Read MorePresident Trump Places 25 Percent Tariff on Auto and Certain Auto Part Imports
President Trump Places 25 Percent Tariff on Auto and Certain Auto Part Imports President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will impose a 25 percent tariff on automobile and certain automobile-parts imports. The tariff will be assessed on top of all other pre-existing import tariffs. The president argues that such measures are needed to…
Read MoreTexas Bill would Significantly Increase Access to all Vehicle Data
Texas Bill would Significantly Increase Access to all Vehicle Data Texas State Representative Pat Curry (R-56th District) introduced HB 4555, which stipulates that a “manufacturer shall provide to each owner of a motor vehicle manufactured by the manufacturer access to vehicle-generated data generated by the owner’s vehicle without restriction, limitation, fee, license, or requiring use of a…
Read MoreFederal Agency Says Congress Can’t Overturn California Vehicle Emissions Rules
Federal Agency Says Congress Can’t Overturn California Vehicle Emissions Rules The Government Accountability Office (GAO) – an independent federal agency that provides auditing, evaluative, and investigative services to the U.S. Congress – released a report revealing its opinion that Congress does not have the authority under the Congressional Review Act to overturn California’s more stringent…
Read MoreU.S. Senate Committee Advances Bill Mandating AM Radio in Vehicles
U.S. Senate Committee Advances Bill Mandating AM Radio in Vehicles The United States Senate Commerce, Science, & Transportation Committee voted unanimously to advance S. 315, also known as the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. The bill, a product of bipartisan collaboration, was sponsored by Senato Ed Markey (D-MA) and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). It…
Read MoreFTC and States Sue John Deere for Violating Farmers’ Right to Repair
FTC and States Sue John Deere for Violating Farmers’ Right to Repair The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Illinois, and Minnesota have filed a joint suit against Deere & Company. More familiarly known as John Deere, the company manufactures agricultural equipment commonly owned by American farmers. The lawsuit alleges that Deere illegally monopolizes the repair market…
Read MoreMissouri Bills Pre-Filed Ahead of Legislative Session would Impact Auto Repairers
Missouri Bills Pre-Filed Ahead of Legislative Session would Impact Auto Repairers State legislative lawmakers in Missouri have already introduced a number of bills that could impact automotive repair shops directly or indirectly if they become law. Missouri’s next legislative session doesn’t start until January 8, 2025, but the state allows their legislators to “pre-file” bills…
Read MoreMaine Right to Repair Working Group Debates Suggestions it should Provide to the Legislature
Maine Right to Repair Working Group Debates Suggestions it should Provide to the Legislature The Maine Right to Repair Working Group met this week to review a draft report with legislative suggestions that the Maine attorney general would send to elected officials in the state legislature. The attorney general is required by law to submit…
Read MoreASA Leaders Provide Insight on Rising Cost of Auto Repairs in Wall Street Journal Article
ASA Leaders Provide Insight on Rising Cost of Auto Repairs in Wall Street Journal Article ASA Board Chairman Scott Benavidez and Incoming Chair Dan Stander provided insight on the causes behind the rising costs of automotive repairs in an article published today in the Wall Street Journal. The owners of Mr. B’s Paint and Body…
Read MoreU.S. Department of Commerce Proposes Ban on Chinese Auto Hardware and Software used in Vehicle Connectivity Systems
U.S. Department of Commerce Proposes Ban on Chinese Auto Hardware and Software used in Vehicle Connectivity Systems The United States Department of Commerce has proposed a rule that would ban imports of Chinese vehicles as well as automotive hardware and software components involved with an automobile’s vehicle connectivity systems (VCS). VCS allows vehicles to communicate…
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