ASA participates in Maine Right to Repair demonstrations

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three informational meetings regarding Maine Legislative Document 1210 were held in Maine recently at Eastern Maine Community College in Bangor, Central Maine Community College in Auburn, and Southern Maine Community College in South Portland. Donny Seyfer, AAM, co-owner of Seyfer Automotive in the Denver area, conducted presentations on behalf of the Automotive Service Association (ASA).

Seyfer currently serves as chairman of ASA-Colorado and president of its Mechanical Division. Participants in the presentation also included representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, including Ken McAlinden of Ford Motor Co., Dan Ryan of Mazda Motor Corp., and Frank Krich of Chrysler LLC.

The purpose of the meeting was to educate Maine citizens and legislators on the availability of service information to automotive independent repair shops and consumers. Seyfer applied his own experience as a repair technician and how he makes use of both third-party information Web sites as well as manufacturer sites. Representatives from the automobile manufacturers demonstrated how to use their sites to access all service information. The presentation focused on showing attendees that manufacturers, dealers, independent repairers and consumers all have access to the same service and repair information.

ASA believes Right to Repair legislation in Maine would interfere with the voluntary, industry-supported service information process already in place that protects independent repairers and consumers. The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) already accommodates identification and correction of gaps involved in the access of automotive service information, diagnostic tools and equipment, and training - as demonstrated by Seyfer.

To date, no action has been taken on Maine Legislative Document 1210. It was introduced March 8, 2007, by State Sen. Dennis Damon. It was carried over to next year after the June 21 session adjournment. It is the hope of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) that Maine will be added to the list of six states with similar bills that have failed to move forward this year. Also, no action has been taken on federal Right to Repair legislation in the U.S. Congress. For additional information visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.