US state votes overwhelmingly for Right to Repair

Independent Automotive Repairers in Massachusetts could be the biggest winner of US 2020 elections

Residents of the US state of Massachusetts have data, it allows owners and independent mechanics overwhelmingly voted in favour of a Right to Repair to send commands to the vehicle for repair, question on the ballot paper during the recent maintenance and diagnostic testing.” 2020 US elections. Director of the Massachusetts Right to Repair In a boost for the state’s independent automotive Coalition, Tommy Hickey, was ecstatic with the repairers, 75 percent of votes selected yes to vote result. “Question 1.” “Thank you. We did it! Actually, you did it!” he This means that once a person buys a vehicle, they commented to his supporters. own all of its data. “It was only because of you, our Massachusetts According to www.techcrunch.com, “The measure, supporters and grassroots team, that we were able listed on the ballot as Question 1, amends to have such a resounding victory. and broadens a law that gives consumers in Massachusetts the right to repair the vehicles they own. “Thank you for protecting consumer choice in car repair and for supporting your local independent “The measure will require automakers that sell vehicles with telematics systems in Massachusetts to equip them with a standardised open data shops…1,600 independent repair shops in Massachusetts, 40,000 employees, and millions of consumers thank you for your help and support.” platform beginning with model year 2022. But he warned that the fight does not stop here, “This standardised open data platform has to give with much more work yet to be done. vehicle owners and independent repair facilities “Our coalition will drive on to make sure the law is direct access and the ability to retrieve mechanical implemented immediately in Massachusetts and data and run diagnostics through a mobile-based to expand consumer rights in car repair to the 49 application. other states,” Tommy said. “Importantly, this measure covers the data that AAAA Director of Government Relations and telematics systems collect and wirelessly transmit. Advocacy, Lesley Yates, said the Massachusetts And it not only gives access to the mechanical vote is a shot in the arm for the automotive sector In his presentation, the Group Chief Executive Officer for the Capricorn Society, David Fraser, spoke about the findings of Capricorn’s inaugural State of the Nation research project and the subsequent 46-page report, which is now available to download free of charge for all at www.capricorn.coop/caphub State of the Nation is the most substantial piece of research Capricorn has conducted in its 40 plus year history, informed by responses from more than 1,500 Capricorn members across Australia and New Zealand. The report drills down on a number of core questions for the industry, including respondents’ motivations, fears, challenges and successes. After reviewing the common challenges and threats, the report goes on to provide recommendations and information around five key subject areas: Work-Life Balance, Succession Planning, Knowing Your Value, Passive Marketing and Attracting the Next Generation. “We covered a lot of insights and information in the session, but if I had to give some key recommendations, they would be as follows,” David said. “Don’t be afraid to charge more. Lower margins are a concern but there are some easy wins for your bottom line. Charge for diagnostics, increase hourly labour rates and estimate your service times accurately. “Let’s work together on pay rates. Attracting the next generation of technicians, and keeping our best staff long-term, is going to require making the industry more lucrative for the people who work in it. “Cover yourself when it comes to customersupplied parts. If you’re willing to fit them, charge extra for labour. Ask the customer to agree that if the part is faulty, they’ll pay for your labour to remove and replace it. “Invest in scan tools and other tech. Don’t fall and was a part of a shift around the globe towards fair play in the industry, protecting consumer rights and independent repairers against the might of the automotive manufacturers. She said the vote was important to the AAAA given the Australian industry’s recent victory with the announcement by the Morrison Government about its impending legislation for a mandatory code for vehicle data sharing (see separate articles in this magazine.) “This vote comes at an incredibly important moment in our journey,” Lesley said. “As we wait for the draft exposure, we are clearly hoping to see that our Law will incorporate the best elements of international law and right now, the best in class is now the Massachusetts Right to Repair 2020 outcome.”

CAPRICORN PRESENTS ‘STATE OF THE NATION’

Capricorn’s David Fraser was amongst the esteemed speakers for the AAAA’s Industry Leaders Forum

For more information, visit www.massrighttorepair.org

behind your competitors or risk turning away business because you don’t have the tools you need. Buy scan tools and recoup the costs by charging customers for diagnostic tests. “And finally, consider changing or enhancing your marketing strategy. Don’t just rely on word of mouth and referrals to bring in new customers; do some targeted marketing. Asking customers for Google Reviews is particularly useful.”

To read the report in full, visit www.www.capricorn.coop/caphub To listen to David’s presentation at the Industry Leaders Forum, visit the AAAA’s YouTube channel.