“For years our association has been fighting for the rights of vehicle owners,” says Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, which represents more than 100,000 independent auto repair shops, parts stores and distribution outlets. “Sounds like a no-brainer – you buy a car, you buy everything in it, including the information to keep it running properly.”

Schmatz says vehicle owners should decide where to take their cars and trucks for repairs. “But,” she notes, “some car companies and their allies don’t agree.”

Associations such as the one Schmatz leads care about consumer choice in auto repairs because the U.S. auto aftermarket industry employs 4.3 million Americans, including more than 25,000 Oregonians. The U.S. auto aftermarket is made up largely of family-owned businesses located in communities throughout America that enjoy a 75 percent market share, which is at risk..

The aftermarket serves owners of cars, pickups and heavy-duty trucks, providing replacement parts, accessories, lubricants, appearance products, tires, collision repairs and service repairs. It also produces tools and equipment to effect auto and truck repairs.

“To guarantee consumers have choice, all repair shops – not just car dealerships – must have access to the information about the vehicle to fix it,” Schmatz says. “And here is where the whole issue gets dicey.”

“Car makers want consumers to take their vehicles to their franchise new car dealerships, so some are withholding some of the repair and diagnostic information from independent repair shops,” Schmatz explains. “Of course, car companies say all the information that the dealers have is being made available to all repair shops. We say it is not, because it is not.”

“Sure, there is tons of information available,” she adds, “but at least partially that’s because we have kept the heat on threatening legislation.”

Schmatz says, “Just imagine if there was no Magnuson-Moss Act, the federal law that prohibits a vehicle manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty just because service was done by a non-dealer? Withholding service and repair information should be prohibited as well.”

“If all the information is available,” she asks, “why so car companies spend millions blocking a guarantee?”

According to Schmatz, automakers should embrace the independent auto repair sector because their own network of dealers is shrinking and lacks the capacity to service all cars and trucks on the road.

“To me the car companies’ protectionist position defies logic and long-term brand loyalty,” she says. “Wouldn’t you want the people who purchase your car to have a convenient, affordable and pleasant experience with quality service and repair wherever it occurs, so when they trade up they stick with your brand?”

Schmatz says the the aftermarket is “not going to roll over and give up our marketplace.” “We are frustrated, but more determined than ever,” she says, “to fight until we get a law passed or we get the car companies to join us at the bargaining table to hammer out a non-legislative agreement with teeth in it.”