Industry leaders and independent auto dealers are intensifying calls for Congress to pass the REPAIR Act, framing the legislation as a critical measure to protect consumer choice and maintain vehicle affordability.
In a Friday op-ed published in The Hill, National Independent Automobile Dealers Association (NIADA) Chairman Don Griffin advocated for the bipartisan bill, which was introduced by Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla. Griffin noted that rising vehicle prices and restrictive manufacturer requirements are making reliable transportation harder for consumers to afford.
According to Griffin, independent dealers play an essential role in the automotive ecosystem by inspecting, repairing and reconditioning millions of used vehicles annually. This reconditioning process extends the life of vehicles and provides options well below the cost of buying new.
However, modern vehicles run on sophisticated software and interconnected electronics that require manufacturer-controlled diagnostic systems and data. Griffin stated that when automakers restrict access to this data, independent repairs become slower, costlier and sometimes impossible.
“The bill ensures independent dealers and repair shops have access to the same service information, diagnostics, software updates, parts and specialized tools available to manufacturers and their authorized networks, without requiring manufacturers to disclose trade secrets or compromise vehicle cybersecurity,” Griffin wrote.
Griffin emphasized that the legislation shifts the power of choice back to the vehicle owner. “It simply lets consumers, not manufacturers, decide where their vehicle gets fixed,” he said.
Following the publication of the op-ed, MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers publicly backed Griffin’s stance. In a social media post on X, the group called on lawmakers to ensure fair access to vehicle data.
“Neal Dunn’s REPAIR Act enables the aftermarket to provide great value to drivers all over the country! We echo what Don Griffin of @_NIADA had to say in this op-ed and call on congress to ensure fair access to the data and tools that the aftermarket needs,” MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers stated.
While the administration has signaled support for right-to-repair initiatives, Griffin acknowledged that some industry stakeholders continue to resist the changes. He argued that competition ultimately drives down prices and benefits working families.
“The biggest winners under the REPAIR Act won’t be independent dealers or repair shops; they’ll be the millions of Americans who depend on affordable transportation to support their families and build their futures,” Griffin wrote.
Aftermarket Intel tracks the signals shaping the global automotive aftermarket — news, trends and executive-level insight. Visit https://aftermarketintel.com. To share news, data, or strategic perspectives, contact Editor Mark Phillips at mark@lpnewmedia.com or connect on LinkedIn here.
