Tire Industry Association Urges Congress to Pass 'Right to Repair' Act - VIDEO ENHANCED

Servicing Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) to Keep Vehicles in Safe Working Order Requires Ready Access to Repair Information

BETHESDA, MD - September 21, 2009: The Tire Industry Association strongly urges Congress to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) to ensure that car owners and their trusted repair shops have the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the franchised new car dealer network.

"Because most new vehicles are equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) that are controlled by computers, we believe there is a greater urgency to pass Right to Repair than ever before," said Roy Littlefield, executive vice president of the Tire Industry Association. "TPMS systems do not replace regular maintenance on tires, but rather are intended to protect motorists from the dangers of operating a vehicle with underinflated tires. Without ready access to complete and accurate information from the car companies regarding the vehicles they produce, it is very difficult to keep these systems activated and in safe working condition."

The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act was introduced into the 111th Congress by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA) to offer protections for vehicle owners by allowing them to have full access to the repair information for the vehicle which they purchased, new or used, so that they can choose where, how and by whom their vehicle is repaired.

"We support each motorist's right to patronize the auto service facility of their choice and seek to have repair information equitably available to every repair shop in the country," continued Littlefield. "We encourage our members and all motorists to visit www.righttorepair.org to send a letter to each of their congressional representatives, urging them to support the Right to Repair Act."

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About the Tire Industry Association:
The Tire Industry Association (TIA) is an international association representing all segments of the tire industry, including those that manufacture, repair, recycle, sell, service or use new or retreaded tires, and also those suppliers or individuals who furnish equipment, material or services to the industry. TIA was formed by the July 2002 merger of the International Tire & Rubber Association (ITRA) and the Tire Association of North America (TANA). The association is headquartered in Bowie, Maryland and has over 4,500 current members.

About Right to Repair:
The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, which was introduced by Reps. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anna Eshoo (D-CA) and George Miller (D-CA), would require car companies to make the same service information and tools capabilities available to independent repair shops that they provide to their franchised dealer networks. The legislation further provides car companies with strong protections for their trade secrets unless that information is provided to the franchised new car dealers. The bill clarifies the responsibilities of the Federal Trade Commission in enforcing the bill's requirements. For more information about the Right to Repair Act, visit www.righttorepair.org.