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Modern vehicles generate more data than ever -- and automakers are using that advantage to lock independent repair shops out of the market. The result: higher costs for consumers, fewer choices, and a shrinking independent repair industry.
States across the country are moving quickly on Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws, PFAS restrictions, and chemical disclosure requirements -- and the auto care industry is in the crosshairs. Many of these proposals are written broadly, creating compliance burdens that fall disproportionately on aftermarket manufacturers and distributors.
The Auto Care Association monitors and engages on environmental legislation at both the state and federal level, advocating for workable standards that protect the environment without placing undue costs on independent businesses.
As vehicles become more connected, the data they generate -- through onboard diagnostics, telematics systems, and ADAS technology -- is increasingly controlled by automakers. Manufacturer restrictions on who can access this data are reshaping the repair market in OEMs' favor, at the expense of independent shops and the consumers they serve.
The Auto Care Association advocates for open, standardized access to vehicle-generated data, ensuring that independent repair professionals can use the same tools and information available to dealerships to safely and efficiently service modern vehicles.
The auto care industry relies on a globally integrated supply chain. The United States imported $139 billion in aftermarket parts in 2023, with Mexico, Canada, and China representing the largest sources. New and stacking tariff regimes -- including Section 232, Section 301, IEEPA, and reciprocal tariffs -- are creating significant cost pressure across the supply chain, with projections suggesting current tariff rounds could reduce 2025 aftermarket revenue by as much as 6%.
The Auto Care Association actively monitors trade policy developments, engages on tariff exclusion processes, and provides members with resources to assess and manage their exposure.Enter your email address below to stay up-to-date on the latest legislation and issues affecting the auto care industry.
Auto Care Advocacy is a one-stop shop for auto care stakeholders who wish to become more active in public policy. Finding your legislators to write about an important issue or supporting the industry’s political action committee, ACPAC, has never been easier.
Auto Care Association
Email: acpac@autocare.org