Seniors Deserve Freedom and Choice

Alexandria, VA – On behalf of more than 7 million citizen-activists nationwide, the 60 Plus Association asks Congress to support the passage of H.R. 1449, the “Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act.”

60 Plus Chairman Jim Martin noted, “The Right to Repair Act is a good piece of bipartisan legislation, introduced by Reps. Eldolphus Towns (D-NY) and Todd Platts (R-PA) that requires automakers to provide the same service information and tools to independent auto and maintenance shops, as well as to consumers, that the automaker dealership service centers receive.” This bill would open up increased competition in the auto repair industry in the United States which we believe would benefit senior consumers.

“It goes against common sense that automobile repairs most seniors rely on still must be completed only in a dealership,” Martin proclaimed. As a non-partisan seniors advocacy group with a free enterprise approach to seniors issues, Martin said, “It’s time to provide parity for all repair shops.

Some critics worry that this legislation will decrease service quality, but the market reality is that competition drives service quality and price. There are so many choices and options today. For companies to keep customers, they must provide the most competitive price with the best service. After all, this is the American way.”

Martin continued, “Opponents of this legislation don’t give consumers, especially seniors, credit. They are savvy enough to shop and compare. Competition keeps rates down and keeps companies on their toes – answering to consumers on technology, service and price.”

As a safety net to the seniors’ consumer benefits that come from competition, the bill instructs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to provide oversight and enforcement of the proposed legislation. As for the property rights concerns, the bill states that the manufacturers’ proprietary information will not have to be disclosed.

This legislation, which has attracted supporters on both sides of the aisle, is good for consumers and seniors. Times, technologies and service providers have changed, and now we need to change the law so that all auto repair facilities can fairly compete for seniors’ business.

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