By RUSS MILLER
Guest Columnist
Cars are an undeniable part of Indiana’s identity – from hosting the Indianapolis 500 to employing one of the nation’s largest automotive care and manufacturing workforces.
As Hoosiers, we drive more miles per year than nearly every other U.S. state. Having been in the auto industry for more than 40 years, cars are an important part of my story, too – along with the rest of my Christian Brothers Automotive team in Westfield, Ind.
I’ve always believed in doing right by my customers: fair prices, honest work, and treating people like neighbors. But in recent years, it’s become harder to live up to that promise – not because our technicians lack the skills or know-how, but because car manufacturers are locking us out of the information we need to do our jobs.
Thanks to technology, computers, and data are now just as much a part of auto repairs as a jack or a wrench. Fixing any advanced feature (backup cameras, automatic wipers, automatic braking, blind spot warnings, etc.) or even more basic parts (headlights, bumpers, fenders, etc.) can require access to a car’s repair and maintenance data. Without it, independent shops are out of luck – with more than half of us already sending up to five customer vehicles per month to more expensive, less convenient dealerships because of these repair restrictions.
For example, some models have very limited programming and require a global diagnostic system that manufacturers have not made available to the public. Other manufacturer systems prohibit outside users on their servers outright – meaning independent shops cannot program radios, GPS systems, or power windows on affected vehicles. We have to send these types of repairs to the dealer regularly.
These restrictions need to end. Unless Congress requires automakers to share necessary repair information, these issues will continue, and independent shops across the country could disappear from the market in years to come – including more than 112,000 automotive care industry jobs and nearly $42 billion in associated economic output here in Indiana.
In today’s political environment, it’s rare to find an issue that cuts across the aisle. But the growing movement to restore free and fair auto repair access has united lawmakers on both sides who understand what’s at stake for small businesses and working families. The REPAIR Act (H.R. 1566/S. 1379) would require automakers to share the tools and information necessary for modern repairs – leveling the playing field for independent repairers and protecting car owners’ ability to choose where they service their vehicles.
Currently, 29 percent of Hoosiers live in rural areas, which is 42 percent more than the national average. For them, independent repair access isn’t just about preference; it’s about access to critical infrastructure. Many of these families lack nearby dealerships to turn to if their local shop hits a manufacturer’s block or ceases to exist altogether. Restricting auto repairs doesn’t just inconvenience folks; it isolates them.
Passing the REPAIR Act will ensure Hoosiers, not car companies, are in control of how their vehicles are repaired. Building on Sen. Jim Banks’ co-sponsorship of the REPAIR Act last session as a member of the House of Representatives, we urge Sen. Banks, Sen. Todd Young, and the rest of our state’s congressional delegation: put Hoosiers first and support this important legislation.
When small shops are blocked from repairs, the impact is felt in paychecks, apprenticeship pipelines, and on Main Street businesses statewide. Failure to pass the REPAIR Act will be too much of a cost for Indiana drivers.
We encourage Congress to stand up for market competition, consumer choice, and the right to fix what’s ours.
Russ Miller has been in the automotive industry for over 40 years. Starting with and retiring from Firestone, Russ has held many positions from Store and Region Management to Operations Manager for six states. Currently he and his wife Debbie are the owners of Christian Brothers Automotive in Westfield, having been in business since December of 2013.