The Nationwide Federation of Unbiased Enterprise (NFIB) has introduced its robust assist for the Proper to Equitable and Skilled Auto Business Restore (REPAIR) Act, a bipartisan invoice launched by Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02). The laws goals to remove boundaries stopping impartial auto restore retailers from accessing vital instruments, software program, and restore manuals which might be presently out there solely to producers and approved service facilities.
In a letter despatched to Rep. Dunn from NFIB’s Principal in International Authorities Relations Andrea McGee writes, “NFIB represents roughly 300,000 small and impartial companies throughout the nation. Because the position of know-how turns into commonplace in car manufacturing, Individuals are primarily driving computer systems on wheels, leaving many impartial car restore retailers struggling to realize crucial car information entry to carry out even the best of repairs.”
The REPAIR Act seeks to supply impartial restore retailers with assured entry to car restore information, making certain they will proceed serving their communities. NFIB famous that 89% of its members assist the fitting of consumers and restore retailers to entry the required info from producers to restore their merchandise.
Whereas the present right-to-repair “handshake” settlement between automotive trade teams supplies some entry to restore information, NFIB emphasised that it lacks accountability. “It supplies no recourse or accountability when automakers stall or withhold pertinent car information from impartial car restore retailers or when third-party automotive restore info web sites or software program enhance the charges required to entry the car information,” McGee says within the letter.
Based on the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, impartial restore retailers deal with over 70% of aftermarket car repairs. With out assured entry to restore information, NFIB warns that small companies—notably these in rural areas—will face vital challenges. “With out entry to an impartial car restore store, customers shall be compelled to spend extra time away from their very own companies and take more cash out of their pockets,” McGee says.
NFIB underscored the vital position impartial restore retailers play in native economies, notably in rural areas the place they stands out as the solely possibility for car upkeep. “Unbiased car restore retailers present cost- and time-saving providers to their communities. NFIB represents numerous companies in rural areas that solely have native impartial car restore or aftermarket elements retailers,” the letter famous.
NFIB expressed its dedication to working with lawmakers to advance the REPAIR Act by means of Congress. “NFIB thanks you for introducing this vital laws and appears ahead to working with you this Congress to advance this invoice,” McGee writes within the letter to Rep. Dunn.
Because the invoice strikes ahead, NFIB continues to advocate for insurance policies that assist small companies and impartial service suppliers within the automotive trade.
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