The Daily Evening Item
Lynn, Massachuasetts
February 5, 2010

Lynn pols take up car repair fight

Lawmakers support bill that would help auto mechanics, customers

BY DAVID LISCIO
The Daily Item

Whether it's more costly to have an automobile repaired by a dealership than the neighborhood mechanic is subject to debate, but consumer advocates say auto manufacturers are making it difficult for independent repair shops to obtain necessary product information.

To address the situation, the state Legislature's Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure is crafting a law that would require auto manufacturers to supply all diagnostic and repair information to repair shops.

The "Right to Repair" measure could emerge from the committee on Monday and proponents say it will fmd support in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Repair shop owners claim they are unable to obtain from automakers vital information needed to fix ever more complex vehicles, while manufacturers say the data is available via Internet Web sites and elsewhere.

Rep. Steven Walsh, a Lynn Democrat, said consumers should have a choice. I'm in support of it. I co-sponsored it and testified for it in committee. If you buy a car, you are not buying a lifetime commitment with that company," he said. "People should be able to choose the repair shop that they are comfortable with. There are a lot of great autobody shops in Lynn. Besides, these are not trade secrets."

Rep. MaIk Falzone, a Democrat representing Lynn and Saugus, offered a similar view. ''1 support this legislation to ensure that our local independent mechanics and automobile shops have the full info they need to make repairs for their customers." he said. ''With this new legislation, we can lower repair costs and make certain that safe, convenient and complete service is available wherever automobile owners choose to go for their repairs and car maintenance."

Rep. Robert Fennell, a member of the Lynn delegation, has supported the measure for the past two years. "As a major sponsor of this legislation, which I have worked on both last session and currently in this session, I'm pleased to see it garner the support needed in both the House and the Senate to fomally be passed and enacted into law," he said Thursday.  "It's unfortunate that this legislation had to be proposed in the first place. Information that is required to diagnose or repair a motor vehicle should automatically belong to the owner and not be withheld by mqnufacturers or dealerships."

Fennell said the law would provide car and truck owners with more affordable choices and promote fair competition for neighborhood mechanics.

"We're not able to take care of conswners," said Barry Steinberg, president and chief executive officer of Direct Tire and Auto Service, complaining that he has sent customers to auto dealers because he was unable to fix tire pressure sensors in various types of cars.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, the Association of International Automobile Manufacturers and the Automotive Service Association sent a letter Wednesday to Speliotis, expressing concerns over a redraft of Senate Bill 124. The groups claimed the law would add cost but provide no benefit to consumers while opening up the possibility for the improper dissemination of intellectual property. They also emphasized that the law would require manufacturers to provide product and repair infonnation for every vehicle made in the past 50 years.

The New England Service Station and Automotive Repair Association, which initially supported the legislation, has switched its position to neutral. Matthew LeLachew, the association's executive director, said auto product information is available online and elsewhere. "We believe that virtually all the necessary information to diagnose and repair vehicles today is available," he wrote in a letter to Speliotis.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers presented the committee a list of 23 complaints purportedly submitted by independent repair shops. According to the alliance, all the complaints can be resolved by reading information available on the product Web sites.

Meanwhile, the Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition this week released a January survey of 500 vehicle owners that showed 84 percent support a "right to repair" bill.

State House News Seroice material was included in this report.