Coalition pushes for "Right to Repair"

CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - There is a renewed push by Massachusetts car repair shops to force manufacturers to sell them software needed to diagnose their customers' cars.

The mechanics say that without that diagnostic and safety information, their customers will be forced to take their vehicles to dealers to be repaired at a higher cost.

The Right to Repair Coalition is now pushing to get their initiative on the 2012 ballot. "It potentially reduces a consumer's choice and that's what it's really all about if there's less choice in who fixes your car, based on the information they can also control how much you pay," said Art Kinsman.

The group submitted 80,000 signatures to the Secretary of State for consideration.

The so-called "Right to Repair" bill passed in the State Senate last year but failed to come up in the House.