At MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers, we are the trade association that exclusively represents North American aftermarket suppliers who provide replacement parts, components, and systems for light, medium, and heavy-duty vehicles. Our members proudly manufacture the brake pads, filters, engine sensors, and thousands of other parts that keep American’s vehicles running after leaving the dealership. The U.S. aftermarket vehicle supplier industry provides the parts to support 557,000+ businesses across the country, creating 4.97 million jobs across all 50 states. We are the backbone of the auto repair and maintenance industry — providing the parts and systems that keep vehicles on the road.
A recent Wall Street Journal article, “America’s Love Affair With the Car Has Soured—Over Money,” vividly captures what many consumers already feel in their wallets: vehicle ownership costs, particularly repair costs, are spiraling out of control. It’s working-class Americans who are hurt the worse by this. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of car maintenance and repair has increased by 43.6 percent from January 2019 to January 2025. In 2024, the average cost of a single repair was $838, forcing many Americans to choose between getting back on the road or giving up their vehicle altogether.
This isn’t just an economic headache. It’s a threat to everyday mobility, especially in rural areas where the nearest dealership may be hours away and independent repair shops are the only practical option. When the average American cannot afford to keep their car running, it restricts access to employment, healthcare, and opportunities. Fortunately, a solution lies in plain sight: protecting real competition in the aftermarket.
For years, automakers have used digital barriers and proprietary technology to restrict who can repair your vehicle and which tools they can use. That use is growing, and a recent independent study found that within the decade, 155 million vehicle owners won’t be able to get repairs where or how they choose. These restrictions choke competition, drive up prices, and leave consumers with fewer choices and higher bills. In many cases, independent repair shops are unable to access the data needed to service newer vehicles, forcing drivers to return to the dealership — where repair costs are, on average, 36 percent higher than those at independent shops.
This is why MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers and our members are fighting for your right to repair. We believe in a future where drivers can choose where and how their vehicles are serviced — whether at a dealership, by a trusted independent mechanic, or even by DIYers at home. This is not a partisan issue; it is about fundamental fairness and free-market principles. Americans deserve the freedom to choose.
That is why we are encouraged by the momentum in Washington to level the playing field. Leaders like Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.) and Rep. Neal Dunn (R., Fla.) have been strong and brave advocates for consumer choice and the empowerment of small businesses. Leaders like them understand that open competition, not monopolistic control, is the most effective way to reduce costs, foster innovation, and protect rural and working-class communities. They understand how real Americans work and live.
Our great nation has always thrived when we have opened markets and trusted competition to deliver results. The aftermarket is no exception. If we want to preserve mobility, protect consumer choice, and rein in repair costs, it is time to dismantle repair monopolies.
Let’s restore the power to repair cars to where it rightfully belongs, in the hands of U.S. drivers and the small businesses that serve them, and in free market competition.
Paul McCarthy is the president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.