Don’t Lose Your Right to Repair Today’s modern vehicle is a very complex machine and nearly every sys- tem on it is controlled and monitored by computers. In fact, advances in vehicle technology are demanding new tools, an increased amount of technical informa- tion and software in order for professional technicians to service, diagnose and repair these vehicles. With the increased use of computers and electronics, car companies are garnering a greater ability to control access to the information and tools necessary for the independent service industry to stay competitive with the franchised new car dealers. The problem with this control is that the big car companies are not making enough profit selling new cars and they have set their sights on selling more service and parts. On May 3, 2005, the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act (HR 2048) was introduced in Congress by Rep. Joe Barton (R-TX), Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) and Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA). The legislation will provide car owners with the right to decide where and how they have their vehicle serviced, whether it is a new car dealer or inde- pendent service facility. Under the bill, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) would develop regulations requiring car companies to share the same information and tools that they make available to their franchised dealers, with the inde- pendent service industry and car owners. For more information on how to sup- port the Motor Vehicle Owners Right to Repair Act go to: ww.manningmedia.net.