Ottawa, Toronto — The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada announced yesterday its support for the Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.™ campaign, which adds even more momentum to the growing initiative.
Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.™ came to fruition when Auto Care Association and Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) saw a need to educate and engage car owners, policymakers and other stakeholders on car data issues; from what it is to why it matters and the implications for consumer choice. Consumers face even more inconvenience and greater costs, not to mention fewer options for repair services without the control and access to their wireless diagnostic and repair information.
“The expansion of this campaign into Canada demonstrates the increasing support and urgency amongst the independent auto care industry to combat restricted car data access and control,” said Bill Hanvey, president, and CEO of Auto Care Association. “We’re thrilled to welcome our friends from AIA Canada into this growing operation and stand by their efforts to ensure Canada’s car owners have the right to choose who repairs their car.”
With the support of AIA Canada, there will be increased awareness regarding car access data and control issues in Canada. The AIA Canada campaign website will also be home to various education materials that will help to inform and encourage those in the industry and its consumers to not only become more aware of the issues but to take control by signing a petition. This petition asks the Government of Canada to give consumers control of, and access to their vehicle data.
“AIA Canada is proud to join the Auto Care Association and Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) in this vital campaign, which we hope will connect with drivers across Canada,” said Jean-François Champagne, president of AIA Canada. “This is an issue that has significant implications for the aftermarket industry worldwide, and we are excited to join the fight for both our industry’s livelihood and greater consumer choice.”
The Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.™ campaign has already garnered success in the United States with nearly 30,000 signatures for its petition that demands the United States Congress give drivers the right to directly access and control their car data. AIA Canada joins this campaign hoping to encourage the same amount of success, especially across the more than 4,000 member locations that it represents.
“Our campaign has engaged so many people because a vast majority of car owners agree they should have control of their car data to ensure choice on where and with what parts their vehicles are repaired and maintained,” said Paul McCarthy, president of AASA. “We welcome Canadian drivers joining the groundswell on this issue, which reflects the importance and global nature of this need to protect consumer choice and a competitive market for vehicle service.”
For more information on the Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.™ campaign, visit yourcaryourdata.org and to get involved in Canada, visit www.vehicledataaccess.aiacanada.com.
