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Gusciora: ‘Right to Repair’ is All About Fairness

(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Reed Gusciora (D-Mercer/Hunterdon) released the following statement Thursday after the Assembly Consumer Affairs Committee discussed the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (A-352) he is sponsoring.
The bill requires automakers to allow vehicle owners and independent repair facilities to have access to the same vehicle diagnostic and repair information made available to car manufacturers. They would not be required to disclose trade secrets or proprietary information about the car parts themselves:

“This bill frees up car owners to choose between their auto dealer and independent service shops to repair their vehicles. Not only does it foster competitive car repair pricing, but it gives consumers the choice where they will bring their cars for servicing. It’s a win-win for car owners and mom-and-pop service stations who want to stay in business.
“As cars have become more technologically advanced, manufacturers have gained an unfair advantage by forcing owners to rely on dealerships for even the most routine maintenance. Every motorist should have access to the array of diagnostic codes locked into a vehicle’s computer and decide for themselves who they want to service their vehicle.
“Recently in Massachusetts, voters overwhelmingly (86 percent) voted to enact a similar Right to Repair law. It is now time for New Jersey to take that next step.
“This is about promoting fairness and equality in the marketplace for both automotive service providers and consumers. Enhancing competition in the auto repair industry will drive down prices and give car owners greater options in choosing who they want to work on their vehicles.
“At its most basic level, this is a consumer rights bill. I look for full committee consideration of the measure in the fall.”