I spoke with a local "Joe's Garage Inc." today about this, he told me he has been able to get some technical bulletins from a Ford dealer for sometime now, not all, but some...he said they have been helpful sharing knowlwdge.....
His equipment allows him to do the basic diagnostic stuff, not the major stuff, that equipment he tells me is not cost effective for his shop and he can't afford the equipment to service all the makes.......
Also, I think, the average soccer mom is more inclined to go to a dealer when a "check engine"/"service light" comes on rather than a local garage, compounding the problem of affording the equipment by the local shops........
I'm all for sharing this info with the shops as the nearest Ford dealer is 35 miles from me, and my local shop charges about 60% of the dealer for labor...........
Staying on topic Jamo...
David