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Automakers dictate repairs through a monopoly on data
Automakers’ software control is making many routine fixes costlier and harder, with independent shops saying they are pushed out of repairs.
- Automakers are increasingly restricting independent repair shops' access to diagnostic software, effectively forcing vehicle owners to use expensive dealerships for routine maintenance.
- Independent repair shops report increasing difficulty obtaining parts and data from manufacturers, often forcing them to refer customers to dealerships for routine work.
- Antoni, chief economist at the Heritage Foundation and a senior fellow at Unleash Prosperity, argues that current restrictions prioritize proprietary software over consumer choice.
- Small businesses lose revenue as manufacturers lock out competition, forcing customers to pay higher prices for routine repairs, with rural communities particularly affected.
- As vehicles become increasingly high-tech, the fight over data access highlights larger questions regarding property rights, with experts projecting continued pressure on independent repair shops.
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28 Articles
28 Articles
Commentary: Automakers’ data monopoly and how they dictate car repair
E.J. Antoni Think you own that new car you just bought? Not all of it. As many Americans are learning, automakers own their data, and they’re trying to dictate who can fix the vehicle when something breaks or even when it just needs regular maintenance. It’s a way to force car and truck owners into expensive dealerships for service. Fortunately, though, a legal fix might be coming. New vehicles today rely so much on electronics and software that…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left1Leaning Right1Center25Last UpdatedBias Distribution92% Center
Bias Distribution
- 92% of the sources are Center
92% Center
C 92%
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