Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition
February 8, 2010
CONTACT: Art Kinsman 781-635-6912
STATE COMMITEE GIVES “THUMBS UP” TO LANDMARK
CONSUMER PROTECTION LEGISLATION
RIGHT TO REPAIR BILL ADVANCES
Today the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure approved the Right to Repair bill, requiring auto manufacturers to make available to independent garages and consumers the same repair information and diagnostic tools that they provide to their franchised new car dealer service centers-- for a similar price. The bill will now go to the state Senate for debate.
“The committee lived up to their charge. Today, they took a stand to protect the consumer’s right of choice to patronize the more economical local independent auto repair shops.” said Art Kinsman of the Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition.
Bill sponsor Rep. Garrett Bradley (D-Hingham) said, “Massachusetts residents ought to have the right to find the repair shop of their choice, and this legislation upholds the concept of free market competition by allowing car owners to exercise that choice. Car dealers will have to compete for business with qualified local repair shops, and that will result in significant cost savings for consumers.”
The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition released an economic impact study late last year showing that vehicle repairs cost an average 42 percent more at new car dealerships than at independent repair shops, and if Massachusetts families were continuously directed to have their vehicles repaired only at new car dealerships, it would cost an average of $258 per family each year, adding up to a staggering $625 million in excess costs annually. The savings in some districts were as high as $600 per family.
“I am very happy that the committee today took favorable action on this important bill,” said Senator Stephen J. Buoniconti (D-West Springfield), sponsor of Senate Bill 124, which mirrored Rep. Bradley’s bill. “The right to repair act is a pro-consumer bill, and I hope it continues to quickly move forward in the legislative process.”
Right to Repair has overwhelming support among Bay State consumers. Last week, a survey of 500 Massachusetts car owners revealed that the vast majority, Eighty-four percent (84%), of Bay State Car Owners, support the Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. A clear majority of Massachusetts car owners also said they are more likely to vote for a legislative candidate who is in favor of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. Even those who took their car to a repair shop connected to an auto dealer (83%) support this legislation.
“I thank the committee for listening to the needs of the people that they represent,” said Glenn Wilder, owner of Wilder Brothers American Car Care in North Scituate. “This bill is of dire importance to every consumer who drives, especially with the number of dealerships closing. Consumers choices should remain their own as far as where they take a car to be repaired. I as an independent repairer applaud your courage for voting for what is right,” said Mr. Wilder.
“The vote taken today confirms that the Massachusetts Legislature believes that choice is a right that consumers will always retain. Where and how the Commonwealth’s consumers spend their disposable income is their choice, not an auto manufacturers’,” said Stan Morin of the New England Tire Dealers Association.
The bill as drafted simply allows the consumer or independent repair shop the right to take legal action if car manufacturers continue their practice of locking them out of certain repair codes and tools needed to complete repairs. “By passing The Right to Repair Act, lawmakers will preserve choice and enable their constituents to save significant money without costing the Commonwealth a dime," Kinsman added.
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