"Right to Repair" congressional act argues automakers locking out aftermarket

The Big Three weren't the only automobile interests on Capitol Hill this week, the President and CEO of the Consumer Electronics Association appeared before Congress, urging them to support the 'Right To Repair Act.'

H.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act's proponents argue that the bill will "protect consumers' rights to upgrade and repair their automobiles where they want and with the products of their choice." The crux of CEA's argument is that as new vehicles increase in complexity, automakers are purposefully implimenting electronic safeguards ("proprietary access codes"), in effect shutting out consumers and third-party installers from fitting things like aftermarket navigation units and in-car video and audio systems.

[Source: Potomac dBusinessNews; CEA]