Photo caption: Devonte Wilson, a Congressional aide for U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson, visits MANN+HUMMEL’s manufacturing plant in Gastonia, North Carolina.
MANN+HUMMEL’s North American aftermarket brands – WIX Filters, Purolator Filters and MANN-FILTER – announced support for the Right-to-Repair campaign.
Spearheaded by the Auto Care Association, the initiative is focused on the passage of H.R. 906, the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act.” This bipartisan legislation provides the right for independent repair shops and aftermarket businesses to access critical information, tools and equipment needed to maintain and repair vehicles at a fair and reasonable cost.
Ultimately, the bill helps ensure the preservation of consumer choice, a fair marketplace and the continued safe operation of the nation’s 292 million registered passenger and commercial motor vehicles, 70% of which are maintained by independent repair facilities.
To support the campaign, representatives from MANN+HUMMEL’s North American leadership recently met with the legislative staff for U.S. Rep. Jeff Jackson of North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District to encourage passage of the legislation, which currently has 49 sponsors.
“Consumer choice is the pounding heartbeat of the aftermarket industry, and competition in the marketplace drives improved service and affordability,” said Daryl Benton, VP of sales & marketing – Aftermarket North America for MANN+HUMMEL. “The Right to Repair maintains a level playing field for independent repair shops and do-it-yourselfers as vehicle systems become increasingly complex and the cost of regular service and maintenance escalates.”
The Right-to-Repair movement has gained momentum in recent years. In November 2020, Massachusetts voters approved a ballot measure supporting a Right-to-Repair initiative with 75% of the vote, and Maine voters approved a similar ballot measure in November 2023 with over 80% of the vote.
In May 2021, the Federal Trade Commission published its “Nixing the Fix” report, which supported reinvigorated regulatory options and consumer education to provide consumers and independent repair shops with appropriate access to replacement parts, instructions, and diagnostic software.
Additionally, President Joe Biden issued an executive order on “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” in July 2021 to encourage the FTC to use its statutory authority in addressing anti-competitive repair restrictions.
To learn more about the Right-to-Repair campaign and access tools to engage with elected officials, visit repairact.com.
