Agreement Formally Ends 'Right to Repair' Debate
A national agreement signed this month extends Massachusetts' Right to Repair law across the country, essentially ending a two-decade fight between independent repair shops and the automakers.
A national agreement signed this month extends Massachusetts' Right to Repair law across the country, essentially ending a two-decade fight between independent repair shops and the automakers.
The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, Association of Global Automakers, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, and the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality accepted the agreement on Jan. 22.
The agreement is based on the Massachusetts law that went into effect in 2012 for light vehicles. The groups will oppose additional state-level legislation as they implement the agreement nationwide.
"Accessible, efficient, accurate, and competitively-priced repair and service are paramount, and franchised dealers and the aftermarket play unique and important roles in the repair process," said Mitch Bainwol, president and CEO of the Alliance.
The groups supporting the agreement say it will help independant repair facilities get access to the information, tools, and software needed to service late-model computer controlled vehicles.
The agreement was not embraced by AAA, which said it didn't go far enough in a statement.
"While this agreement has benefits for consumers, it is not a comprehensive solution," said Bob Darbelnet, AAA's president and CEO. "Vehicles are changing rapidly and more must be done to guarantee consumer choice and control of vehicle data in the future."
The first Right to Repair Act was introduced in Congress in 2001 to give customers the right to choose where they buy their parts and have their vehicles serviced.
More Operations

The Network Behind Better Government Fleet Decisions
A discussion on why relationships across the government fleet community have played such an important role and what shapes the leadership response.
Read More →
Ford, BlackRock, Google and Carhartt Form Skilled Trades Workforce Alliance
The alliance plans to develop a stronger pipeline between training programs and available jobs while examining workforce efforts already underway across the country.
Read More →
The Network Behind Better Government Fleet Decisions
A discussion on why relationships across the government fleet community have played such an important role and what shapes the leadership response.
Read More →
What Makes Fleet Technicians Stay? | GovCast Cheat Sheet
The technician hiring and retention discussion is not new, but the way fleets respond to it continues to matter.
Read More →
On the Road with Government Fleet: Essential Podcasts for Professionals
Let's celebrate listening! Check out a GovCast podcast and discover the insights and strategies that can transform your fleet management approach.
Read More →
How Real-World Vehicle Use Guides Replacement And Budgets
Three public fleet leaders explain how they use real-world vehicle data and long-term planning to keep aging assets in service and make more informed replacement and budgeting decisions in a high-cost environment.
Read More →
When Fleet Data Has to Actually Mean Something | GovCast Cheat Sheet
Better fleet technology only works when the information behind it can actually support decisions.
Read More →
Why Public Fleet Success Depends on More Than the Vehicles | From the Show Floor with Tim Coxwell
Fleet decisions rarely stay inside the garage. From funding pressure to emissions planning, Tim Coxwell explains what it takes to keep a sheriff’s office fleet moving while planning for what comes next.
Read More →
How Government Fleets Helped Build America
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, this look back explores how government fleets evolved from horse-drawn wagons to specialized vehicles that keep communities running today.
Read More →


