Engine Repower Council: Right to Repair Act Ensures Competitive Automotive Repair Industry

BETHESDA, MD – November 17, 2011 – The Engine Repower Council strongly supports the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 1449) to ensure a competitive automotive repair industry where car owners, not car companies, can decide who repowers or repairs their vehicles.

“Engine repowering with a quality rebuilt/remanufactured engine cost effectively extends the life of a vehicle, provides like new or better engine performance, and saves environmental resources. We support each motorist’s right to repair or repower their vehicle and patronize the auto repair facility of their choice,” said Ken Carter, chairman of the Engine Repower Council. “Passage of the Right to Repair Act will protect car owners and their trusted repair shops from a vehicle repair monopoly by requiring they have the same access to the same repair and service information as the franchised new car dealer network.”

The Right to Repair Act levels the competitive playing field for motoring consumers and between new car dealerships and independent repair shops by requiring that car companies provide full access at a reasonable cost to all service information, tools, fault codes and safety-related bulletins needed to repair motor vehicles. The legislation provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets, only requiring them to make available the same non-proprietary diagnostic and repair information they provide their franchised dealers.

“A recent CBS Morning News story really highlighted the value of a rebuilt engine in today’s economic environment.  Without Right to Repair, millions of motorists may be forced back to the dealer and not have the choice of who provides service repairs or repowers their vehicles with a rebuilt/remanufactured engine,” continued Carter. “We encourage all vehicle owners to visit www.righttorepair.org to send a letter to each of their congressional representatives urging them to support the Right to Repair Act.”

The Right to Repair Act was introduced into the 112th Congress by Reps. Todd Platts (R-PA) and Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and currently has 38 co-sponsors.

About the Engine Repower Council:

The Engine Repower Council is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating consumers about the economic, performance and environmental benefits of remanufactured/rebuilt engines.  The Engine Repower Council supports the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign.  For more information about the Engine Repower Council and where to find qualified remanufactured/rebuilt engines and installation providers, visit www.enginerepower.org.