The CAR Coalition, a growing group of independent auto parts and repair companies, associations and insurers, continues to advocate for consumer choice in the post collision repair market.

 The issue is gaining traction in Congress as well. The House Small Business Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Business Development is set to hold a hearing on the issue of right to repair, including in the auto industry.

According to recent research from Ducker Carlisle regarding the potential impact of right to repair legislation, 59% of those surveyed said they would vote to approve right to repair legislation. When those who indicated they would not vote on the matter were taken out of the equation, support jumped to 80% in favor. This follows a survey conducted by the CAR Coalition last year that found 78% of respondents in favor of right to repair legislation.

The CAR Coalition strongly supports two pieces of bipartisan federal legislation focused on the issue of consumer right to the repair in the auto industry, the REPAIR Act and the SMART Act. Both measures would expand consumer choice for automobile collision repair parts, decrease costs to both drivers and insurers, and enhance competition in the automobile repair parts market.

“The CAR Coalition believes it is critical to protect the rights of consumers in the post-collision auto repair market,” CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka said. “We also believe that with costs on the rise, choice has never been more important.”