BOSTON (Nov. 30, 2011) — Two of the most prominent associations supporting the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act — the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association and the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality — said they will commit all the resources necessary to ensure passage of the Massachusetts version of the bill.
The Right to Repair Act requires auto makers to provide to consumers and independent repair shops with access to the same repair and diagnostic information they give their franchised dealers. The information must be available through a standardized vehicle interface, using a generic laptop, according to the bills introduced by Rep. Garrett Bradley, D-Hingham, in the state assembly and Sen. John Hart, D-South Boston, in the state senate.
Supporters of Right to Repair say they have gathered more than 106,000 signatures to place the bill on Massachusetts' 2012 ballot—more than 50 percent over the 68,911 signatures required.
Massachusetts Secretary of State William F. Galvin will decide in December whether to certify or reject the signatures. If he rejects them, supporters will have until July to obtain another 11,500 signatures.
Besides AAIA and CARE, organizations that support Right to Repair include the Tire Industry Association, the American Automobile Association, the New England Tire & Service Association, Bridgestone Americas—including both the Bridgestone and Firestone tire brands—the Service Station Dealers of America and the National Federation of Independent Business.