[Gunner]

RI, I don't think you have the right take on this. If the bill was to force automakers to disclose design, manufacturing or R&D information, you'd have a point.

Forcing them to disclose all necessary information for any qualified individual to repair a vehicle fully owned (or at least nominally owned) by an individual is another thing entirely.

If you disagree, answer this: At what point does a manufacturer have the right to tell me I *cannot* repair a faulty component on a car I bought from them and own lock, stock and four-barrel? In between that point and the point of full disclosure of repair information is a point at which the manufacturer gets to say, "Too bad, I won't give you the repair information (tolerances, codes, part numbers, etc.)" - and when is that okay?

Nah. You're confusing trade secrets and free enterprise with reasonable consumer protection. At a minimum, manufacturers should be required to disclose that a buyer's shiny new Vroomy 3000 *cannot* be repaired by anyone but a factory repair facility. Bet that would make sales zoom.