CAWA and AAIA meet with members of Congress to discuss pending legislation

With the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act and the Federal Repair Clause bill gaining momentum within the legistlature, members of the California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) pushed to meet with prominent members of congress to discuss the critial issues surrounding the bills.

The first meeting with Congressman Dean Heller of Nevada was held on May 27 at Finley Industries in Sparks, Nevada. Heller, a first term Republican was greeted by his constituents and learned about how the aftermarket is a driving force for Nevada's economy. He then took a tour of Finley Industries and a Napa Auto Parts warehouse to gain a better understanding of how the pieces of the aftermarket all work together.

The second meeting with Congressman George Radanovich was held a day later at Evans Electric Service in Fresno. Here, the congressman heard stories of the aftermarket's inability to obtain the necessary information to diagnose and repair vehicles, highlighting the growing need for the passage of the national Right to Repair Act currently pending in Congress.

"Passage of the national Right to Repair Act is critical toward ensuring full and affordable access for independent repair shops to have the tools and service information needed to repair today's and tomorrow's complex vehicles. We feel confident that we highlighted the problems the industry currently faces with information accessibility with Congressman Heller and Congressman Radanovich and hope we can count on their support for HR 2694 in Washington," says Rodney K. Pierini, CAWA's president and CEO.

HR 2694, the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act prevents vehicle manufacturers and others from unfairly restricting access to the information and tools necessary to accurately diagnose, repair, re-program or install automotive replacement parts. HR 2684 currently has 40 co-sponsors in Congress and is gaining momentum and strength, in part, from in-district meetings. In addition to the Right to Repair Act, CAWA and AAIA members discussed HR 5638, the Federal Repair Clause bill, recently introduced to protect consumers' right to benefit from quality and lower cost alternative auto repair replacement parts by amending the federal patent law to provide an exception from design patent infringement for these alternative repair parts. The legislation is in response to car companies applying for and receiving design patents on individual replacement parts such as bumpers, hoods and doors, which results in rising costs and decreased competition for consumers.

"We are spending an increasing amount of time trying to combat the car companies ploys to restrict our ability to serve our customers, offer affordable and quality parts and repair options and remain competitive in the marketplace," continues Pierini. "Having the ability to meet one on one in an aftermarket shop with aftermarket professionals really helps lawmakers understand the real world implications and the immediate need for passage of the Right to Repair Act and Federal Repair Clause legislation."

For more information about CAWA, visit the organization's Web site.