Issues
The Automotive Service Association, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation – the trade group for automakers who manufacture 98% of all cars sold in the United States – have reached a landmark agreement that will add additional safeguards on automotive right-to-repair. This agreement ensures that independent repair shops will…
The Federal Trade Commission has reached a settlement in its lawsuit against Kole Consulting Group and its owner Daniel Kole. The FTC charged Kole and his company in February 2022 with running a telemarketing scam that pitched, what they called, their American Vehicle Protection program. Hundreds of thousands of consumers nationwide received calls to solicit…
H.R. 3413, the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023, has quickly gained support since it was introduced in May of this year. It currently has 49 Democratic co-sponsors and 59 Republican co-sponsors, totaling 108 co-sponsors. Its companion in the Senate, S. 1669, has 9 Democratic cosponsors and 10 Republican cosponsors. Sponsored by Congressman…
U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Ed Markey (D-MA) released a statement urging the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to reevaluate its guidance to automakers on compliance with Massachusetts’ right-to-repair law that went into effect on June 1, 2023. Last week, NHTSA sent a letter to OEMs instructing them not to comply with Massachusetts’…
The U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs heard testimony earlier today from Joseph Goffman, Principal Deputy Assistant Administrator in the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation (OAR). Members of the Republican majority expressed concerns with the EPA’s proposed regulations that would place more stringent limitations…
A new law signed by Vermont Governor Phil Scott (R) tasks Vermont’s Commissioner of Financial Regulation with investigating and making recommendations on hourly labor rates for auto body work. The legislation’s (S.95) sponsor, State Senator Ann Cummings (D), noted, “what the insurance company covers and what the actual costs are are getting farther and farther…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed and seeks comment on a program that would allow collision first responders to report vehicle defects that they believe may have led to the accident, injury, or death. Describing the need for the program — which they’ve titled First Responder Incident Advanced Reporting (FRIAR)– NHTSA notes…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sent a letter to automotive manufacturers notifying them that compliance with Massachusetts’s new right-to-repair law violates federal law. Manufacturers are expected to comply with federal law. Click here to read the full letter.
Vehicle Service Pros has published a guest editorial authored by ASA DC Representative Ben Sharp. He explains to readers why the federal government should incorporate periodic vehicle safety inspections as a more integral component of its National Roadway Safety Strategy, especially as cars become increasingly reliant on autonomous technology. Read it for yourself by clicking…
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed and seeks public comment on a regulation that would provide consumers information on the ability for vehicles to prevent collisions with pedestrians. The rule would be an update to NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. The proposal also addresses several mandates from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs…