Access to vehicle data sits at the heart of the automotive repair industry's future, yet many independent repair shops face growing barriers to the information they need. This eye-opening conversation between host, Stacey Miller, and her guest (and colleague) Mike Tanner, Director of Vehicle Technology and Innovation at the Auto Care Association, reveals how technological advancements like software-defined vehicles, ADAS systems, and electric powertrains are reshaping what it means to "fix a car", and why your local shop might be forced to turn away vehicles they're fully capable of repairing.
We dive deep into a surprising victory for repair advocates: the requirement for OBD2 diagnostic ports on electric vehicles. Without this critical access point, independent shops would be completely locked out of servicing EV batteries, a massive segment of future repair work. Meanwhile, battery technology itself is evolving rapidly, with solid-state solutions promising to resolve safety concerns while extending vehicle range and lifespan.
The fragmented landscape of vehicle data access creates unnecessary complexity for repair shops. Different manufacturers require different tools, subscriptions, and access protocols, a maze that seems deliberately designed to push consumers toward dealership service. Perhaps most concerning is the disparity in remote diagnostics capabilities, where independent shops are denied the ability to remotely assess vehicle problems, determine severity, and efficiently schedule repairs.
These aren't just technical concerns, they directly impact consumer choice, repair costs, and even safety. When technicians must turn away vehicles because they lack access to manufacturer-specific programming tools, everyone loses. With right-to-repair legislation gaining unprecedented momentum at both state and federal levels, now is the critical moment to make your voice heard. Share your repair barriers at autocare.org/cantrepair and join the Legislative Summit to help secure a competitive repair ecosystem for the future.

Send us a text

To learn more about the Auto Care Association visit autocare.org.
To learn more about our show and suggest future topics and guests, visit autocare.org/podcast