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As a deadly “record-shattering” heat wave sweeps across the nation, Americans need to have access to a variety of convenient and affordable choices to repair their cars – particularly the air conditioning (A/C) systems. It’s a matter of safety. Children, senior citizens – really anyone for that matter – should not be on the roads in Georgia summers without properly functioning A/C in their vehicles.
The truth is that automakers increasingly restrict basic access to the repair and maintenance systems and necessary data required for routine service – making it harder for businesses like mine to offer our customers quality, affordable repairs. Fortunately, a growing, consumer-led movement for change is organizing around a bipartisan national solution: the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act (H.R. 906). It equalizes equalize vehicle data access necessary for repairs and maintenance across the auto industry.
I’ve been in this industry for over 35 years, the last 16 of those years at Global Parts Distributors, LLC (GPD). Since 1974, GPD has repaired and maintained vehicle A/C systems for drivers across the Peach State at our original repair shop – Auto Air of Macon.
We’re seeing these problems crop up almost daily in our repair business. In fact, a recent survey from the Auto Care Association found that over 60 percent of independent repair shops experience difficulties making routine repairs on a daily or weekly basis.
Last year, a sedan sat in our shop for a long time due to an electrical short that complicated an A/C evaporator repair – one of Auto Air of Macon’s primary services since 1974.
To complete that repair, you must remove the car’s entire dashboard – an increasing reality with technologically advanced modern A/C systems. In this case, an electrical short occurred during the repair that impacted the car’s smart key system, disabling the entire vehicle. Because our technicians didn’t have access to the necessary systems and data required to fix the issue, this customer was forced to wait for “their turn” at the dealership – turning what should’ve been a straightforward repair into a drawn-out, expensive process.
It shouldn’t be this way. For the most part, the core components of vehicle A/C systems have stayed the same over the last two decades. But increasingly today, parts like blend doors – a small motor that works in concert with the temperature sensors to operate your car’s climate system – now must be reprogrammed after replacement to be able to communicate with the car’s computer system just to cool down your car’s cabin.
Even more, a modern vehicle’s A/C system is often integrated with the infotainment system, locking its controls behind the car’s central interface – an often cited manufacturer reason for locking independent repair businesses like GPD out from accessing critical repair data.
Because of automakers’ tactics, independent shops often can’t complete routine repair jobs like replacing an A/C control valve compressor without acquiring technological expertise and investing in expensive diagnostic equipment and software for every single vehicle manufacturer. Today, I can confidently say that for consumers and businesses like mine, it’s never been more expensive, labor-intensive, and complicated to repair modern vehicle A/C systems.
This is particularly concerning in Georgia, where over a quarter of the state’s population lives in rural communities where independent repair thrives. Left without access to local, alternative repair options, car owners might have no choice but to travel to a dealership that could be upwards of two hours away and up to 36 percent more expensive on average.
Georgia’s auto care industry represents over 88,000 jobs and produces nearly $19 billion for the state’s economy. Independent repair shops – many of which are family-owned small businesses – shouldn’t have to jump through unnecessary hoops just to earn a living. And with certain automaker scan tools costing upwards of $2,000, and many not available at all, a lot of shops won’t even be able to consider staying in business without fair, equal vehicle data access.
Our business began serving the Macon area as a small, five-bay automotive A/C installation and repair shop back in the ‘70s. By the early 2000s, we’d become a nationwide aftermarket A/C brand – and we only want to continue providing customers the same quality, alternative options for vehicle A/C that they know and trust.
For our customers, spending an entire day driving to a dealership out of town, footing an unnecessarily high auto repair bill, or waiting weeks for a drivable vehicle aren’t options. It’s increasingly clear that we need federal legislation to ensure consumers can fairly exercise their right to choose where, how, and when their vehicles are serviced.
Congress must advance the bipartisan REPAIR Act now before it’s too late. Preserve a competitive vehicle repair landscape and get Americans back on the roads safely, efficiently and affordably.
Julian Hentze has over 35 years of experience in the automotive air conditioning industry. He is president of Global Parts Distributors, LLC in Macon, one of the most knowledgeable and dependable sources of aftermarket air conditioning and radiators in the United States.
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