A federal judge on Tuesday dismissed a challenge from a group representing major automakers to a Massachusetts law expanding access to vehicle data and permitting independent repair shops to service advanced automotive technologies. The decision, made by U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston, marked a legal setback for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, which represents automakers such as General Motors, Volkswagen, and Stellantis.
The lawsuit was filed after Massachusetts voters approved a measure in November 2020, revising the state’s 2013 “Right to Repair” law. The updated law requires automakers to provide broader access to both mechanical and electronic repair data, allowing independent shops to better service increasingly sophisticated vehicles.
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The Alliance for Automotive Innovation expressed disappointment in the ruling, stating that it was evaluating its options for an appeal. “Today’s decision will introduce potential security risks to our customers and their vehicles,” the group said in a statement. The alliance argued that the law could compromise the cybersecurity of essential vehicle functions, particularly safety- and emissions-critical systems.
Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell’s office defended the measure, stating it allows manufacturers to set up a standardized system, run by a third party, to facilitate access to diagnostic systems for independent repair shops. Judge Casper’s ruling is expected to be followed by discussions on whether any portions of the decision should be redacted.
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