Dealer and independent repair shops could use a single universal interface that plugs into a PC to download only the diagnostic repair information they need to fix a car, saving repair shops money that can translate into lower repair bills for consumers.

The Right to Repair Coalition, including its chapter in Oregon, is championing adoption of a universal interface standard to simplify repair diagnostics and lower costs, while preserving the consumer’s right to decide who repairs his or her vehicle and protecting car company intellectual property.

“Customers will have a better experience with their car repair,” says Brian Herron with Drew Technologies, “because the shop has the right tools for the job, increasing their satisfaction with both the vehicle brand and the shop they do business with.” Drew Technologies is one of 10 U.S. companies that make auto repair scan tools that conform to the SAEJ2534 universal interface standard.

Herron will be in Portland on December 12 to demonstrate his company’s tool, which was designed for Toyota. He will be conducting demonstrations for the media, consumer groups, high school automotive technology classes and legislators.

Under this business model, dealer and independent repair shops could avoid spending up to $200,000 for diagnostic scan tools that work for each brand of vehicles. Technicians, Herron says, would have access to all makes of cars through a single scan tool, a laptop and a subscription to a car maker’s diagnostic software.

Less money, he adds, will be spent on upgrading hardware and software tools and more money will go to training mechanics on ever more sophisticated technology that goes into modern vehicles.

AG Ruling Blunts IP Claims by Carmakers about Pro-Consumer Legislation

The Massachusetts Attorney General has certified four variations of Right to Repair initiatives, rejecting carmaker claims the ballot measures would result in theft of their intellectual property.

Right to Repair legislation, which has been introduced in Massachusetts and Oregon, guarantees vehicle owners and independent auto repair shops secure access to diagnostic repair information generated by the computers in their vehicles, as well as the ability to restart those computers after repairs are made.

Under the Massachusetts Constitution, the attorney general is required to review initiative petitions to determine whether they violate constitutional protections, including the right to compensation for a governmental taking of private property.

“The Massachusetts attorney general’s certification of Right to Repair ballot measures effectively blunts claims by opponents that passage of this legislation is tantamount to theft of their intellectual property,” says Gary Conkling, speaking on behalf of the Oregon Right to Repair Coalition. “As a result, it won’t take away jobs from auto workers. Instead, it will benefit vehicle owners and save jobs in independent auto repair shops.”

Backers of Right to Repair legislation hailed the decision as pro-consumer. “When car manufacturers are allowed to withhold information, that puts vehicle owners at a significant disadvantage,” said Angela Martin, Executive Director of Economic Fairness Oregon. “Right to Repair is about giving owners fair access to the information needed to maintain and repair their vehicles, where they choose at prices they can afford.”

Industry research estimates an annual savings of $300-$500 per family when vehicle owners have the right to choose where their cars are repaired.

In her summary of certifying Initiative 11-14, Massachusetts Attorney General Martha Coakley said, “The proposed law would not require a manufacturer to reveal a trade secret and would not interfere with any agreement made by a manufacturers, dealer or authorized repair facility that is in force on the effective date of the proposed law.”

Backers of the initiatives have until December 7 to submit petitions with at least 68,911 Massachusetts registered voters. The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition submitted more than 50,000 letters in support at a legislative hearing in July.

“I like my car dealership. But I also have a trusted repair shop that has taken good care of me. I should be able to choose where to go for service.”

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