Federal laws and new technologies have resulted in vehicles being more computerized. As a result, increased levels of technology and information are required for maintenance and repairs.
While the automakers make all of this critical repair data available to car dealers, they limit its availability to the independent technicians.
If carmakers refuse to share all of their information, many, if not all, of the 147,000 independent repair shops could go out of business, including up to 50 percent of the American Automobile Association's approximately 7,500 AAA-Approved Auto Repair Shops.
According to RetireSafe, a national organization that represents over 367,000 seniors, the loss of independent repair shops would be devastating for seniors. In addition to a significant rise in repair bills, seniors may be forced to find new mechanics-many of whom may be difficult to physically get to, and some of whom may not provide the customer service seniors might have grown accustomed to.
RetireSafe warns that a lack of fair competition between repair shops could ultimately cost seniors the vehicles they depend on.
For more information, visit www.RetireSafe.org.
