Opinion: Your Turn: Right-to-repair law is long overdue
It’s been more than 18 months since Massachusetts residents overwhelmingly voted to pass the Right to Repair “YES on 1” ballot initiative. The 2020 law updated the previous Right to Repair law, which mandated that auto manufacturers provide an accessible onboard system that independent repair businesses could plug into in order to diagnose and repair whatever was wrong with the car.
The new law was needed because of advances in technology called telematics that wirelessly transmit the data directly to manufacturers and their dealers, essentially precluding businesses like mine from being able to diagnose a problem and repair it.
And yet, a year and a half after the initiative passed by a 3-to-1 margin (75%-25%), the law still hasn’t gone into effect. Why is that?
It’s because big automakers are in the drivers’ seat right now having filed a lawsuit that was designed to stall implementation of the law. And, quite frankly, it’s taking way too long to conclude.
As the lawsuit sits in court, consumers are still being steered directly to dealerships which are pricier. It’s not hard to figure out who’s benefitting from the delay and why manufacturers and their dealers want to postpone it even more. The more they effect a delay, the longer they are controlling access to vehicle data, excluding independent auto repair businesses, and winning new customers.
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Those are the reasons the Right to Repair Committee recently filed a legal brief calling on the judge in the case to issue a prompt resolution and fulfill the will of the voters.
It takes on added importance as gas prices are rising daily. Massachusetts joined several other states this week in seeing the cost of a gallon of fuel topping $5. The last thing consumers need is to have to pay more than they need to when it comes to fixing their cars, or simply getting an oil change.
This is about choice. Auto owners should be able to choose to take their vehicle to a dealer for servicing or an independent auto repair business.
Competition is good. It keeps prices lower. But auto manufacturers and their dealerships just don’t want you to pay less for services they provide. And they don’t want you to have a choice.
I’ve spent decades working on people’s vehicles and I have cultivated great relationships with my customers, many with whom I’ve developed friendships (with) over the years. They know me and they trust me.
As I said back in 2020, small businesses like mine — and there are hundreds of us in the state — are part of what makes an economy tick, providing valuable services and good jobs.
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The pandemic already did a number on small businesses. We are trying to claw our way back.
It’s time for this lawsuit to be resolved and to implement the law that Massachusetts residents voted for by a huge margin.
All they want is a choice. They should get it. Competition is a win for everyone.
Justin Morrison owns Morrison Auto Works in Hyannis. He is a member of the Right to Repair Coalition.
This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Opinion: MA Right-to-repair implementation is law long overdue
