National Federation of Independent Businesses Executive Director Bill Herrle kept it simple when discussing the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act during an interview with The Floridian this week.
If you buy a car, you own a car.
What seems like a simple concept apparently is not. The REPAIR Act, sponsored by Rep. Neal Dunn (R-FL), is looking to change that before the Congressional term ends in January 2027.
Simply put, the REPAIR Act would ensure vehicle owners and independent auto body shops have the same access to maintenance data, diagnostic codes, and software as mainstream dealerships. The bill, which has bi-partisan support, would also balance the monopoly and give mom and car pop shops a fair chance while driving down consumer costs.
"We have hundreds of independent repair shops in our membership. We're pretty authentic when we say we represent main street," Herrle indicated. "We're talking about the car repair shop you know around the corner and in your neighborhood."
Herrle noted the repair market at $337 billion nationwide.
"Generally, independent shops are viewed as less expensive than dealerships. That's just the consumer's sensibility on that, and their preferences prove that," Herrle said. "Particularly in this day and age of labor shortages, it's an extreme inconvenience to get into the dealership. Number one, there aren't as many of them. Number two, they have wait lists because they don't have skilled labor."
Herrle gave a better alternative.
"Independent shops stand ready to fill that gap," Herrle said.
Herrle also noted the bill would help the commercial industry, including businesses that use trucks. Florida relies heavily on commercial trucks to move daily goods.
"A truck that's sitting in the shop is not making money, in fact, its losing money," Herrle said. "When you need to take more time than you otherwise would have to get a vehicle into a dealership, then it's not actually making money for you; it's losing money."
Again, Herrle emphasized fixing one's car or truck shouldn't be an inefficient chore.
"I use this example. It's as if you know anyone can go out and buy a bottle of wine, it's widely available. Well, as you get it home and you're ready to start your dinner party, you find out you got to bring it back to where you bought it to get a corkscrew," Herrle said.
The bill, which has a co-sponsor from U.S. Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL) also has a military angle. Florida has a huge military presence, with 15 military installations across the state.
"Can you imagine leaving our defense in the idea of you've got a mission, and a red light goes on the dashboard, and your vehicle is disabled until you can get it to the dealership," Herrle said. "These things are actually occurring in in our defense sector, and they will benefit from this bill as well."
Herrle concluded that he was optimistic the bill would get across the finish line. It also would be a nice send-0ff for Rep. Dunn, who's retiring at the end of his term.
"He's just like a really well-intended legislator," Herrle said on Dunn. "He hasn't tried to you know make himself a household name. He's just kept his head down and done good work for the people of his district."
