For immediate release
Contact: Monica Buchholz
Virtual AAPEX Experience
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Government Advocacy Town Hall Celebrates Yes Vote on Massachusetts Right to Repair
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Nov. 5, 2020 – The Government Advocacy Town Hall on Nov. 4 celebrated the overwhelming “yes” vote on Massachusetts Right to Repair that will preserve the right of vehicle owners to have access to and control of their vehicle’s mechanical data necessary for service and repair at the shops of their choice.
Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association, reported from Beacon Hill in Boston, Mass., as he welcomed the virtual Town Hall audience and credited the hard fought win, in large part, to an extensive grassroots effort of 1,600 independent repair shops. He added, “My thanks to the entire industry, and to the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), O’Reilly Auto Parts, AutoZone, NAPA and Advance Auto Parts, as well as LKQ, Dorman, the Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA).
Town Hall panelists celebrating the victory included: Aaron Lowe, SVP, Government & Regulatory Affairs, Auto Care Association; Ray Pohlman, president, Coalition for Auto Repair Equality; Michael Borr, president, Allied Auto Parts; Tommy Hickey, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Right to Repair Committee; and Rich Benoit, owner, Electrified Garage, Salem, Mass.
“We won by 75% to 25%, which is an incredible accomplishment,” said Lowe who has spearheaded the campaign for many years. “Now vehicle manufacturers can come to the table to work with us on how to implement it, as it needs to be done by model year 2022. We want this to be a national effort and take what we did in Massachusetts to benefit the entire nation.”
Paul McCarthy, president of AASA, which partners with the Auto Care Association on Right to Repair, added his congratulations to the industry. “Consumers have spoken and they know they should have a choice. Our industry fights for the future of the aftermarket and for our customers,” said McCarthy.
The Town Hall also included a second roundtable discussion to anticipate “What the Election Results Mean to Our Business.” Panelists included Ann Wilson, SVP, Government Affairs, MEMA/AASA; David McKinney, VP, Government and Community Relations, AutoZone; Ian P. Musselman, SVP, Government Affairs, LKQ; and Auto Care’s Lowe.
Panelists discussed headwinds going into the rest of this year, including tariffs, trade issues, and workforce training and development, as well as key pieces of legislation pertaining to infrastructure and transportation.
With the recent success of the grassroots advocacy in Massachusetts, panelists encouraged audience members to get involved and make their voices heard by reaching out to legislators and inviting them to their places of business.
McKinney said, “When talking to legislators, no one knows your business better than you … Tell your story, be brutally honest that you add more jobs, create more value and enhance your neighborhood.”
Panelists emphasized importance of building on the momentum of the Massachusetts win through a national approach and announced that Auto Care, AASA and other coalitions have developed legislative language that protects competition and consumers’ right to choose. Plans are to introduce a new bill to Congress early in 2021. More details will be announced as the bill progresses.
To watch the full Government Advocacy Town Hall discussion, visit the AAPEX website.
The Virtual AAPEX Experience, Nov. 3 - Nov. 5, serves as the hub of training, insights and connections for the more than $1 trillion global automotive aftermarket industry. It features instructor- and exhibitor-led training, product and equipment demos from industry suppliers, the New Product Showcase, and opportunities to connect one-on-one with exhibitors to talk products and conduct business. Training sessions and product and equipment demos will be available on demand on the virtual platform until Dec. 5. To register, visit Attendee registration.
AAPEX 2021 will return to the Sands Expo and Caesars Forum Conference Center in Las Vegas, Tuesday, Nov. 2 through Thursday, Nov. 4. All inquiries should be directed to W.T. Glasgow Inc., (708) 226-1300, billjr@aapexshow.com.
For additional information, visit the AAPEX 2020 FAQ page, https://www.aapexshow.com/faqs/.
Historically, AAPEX features approximately 2,500 exhibiting companies displaying their latest products, services and technologies that keep the world’s 1.3 billion vehicles on the road.
AAPEX buyers include automotive service and repair professionals, auto parts retailers, independent warehouse distributors, program groups, service chains, automotive dealers, fleet buyers and engine builders.
AAPEX is a trade-only event and is closed to the general public.
AAPEX is co-owned by the Auto Care Association and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the light vehicle aftermarket division of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). For more information, visit www.aapexshow.com or e-mail: info@aapexshow.com. On social media, follow AAPEX at #VirtualAAPEX.
