Massachusetts Voter-Approved Vehicle Data Access Measure Survives Court Challenge

A federal judge on Tuesday rejected a challenge by a group representing automakers to a Massachusetts voter-approved measure that expanded access to vehicle data and allowed independent shops to repair increasingly sophisticated automotive technology.

The ruling by U.S. District Judge Denise Casper in Boston marked a defeat for the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade association representing General Motors, Volkswagen, Stellantis, and other automakers that challenged the law.

The group sued after voters in November 2020 approved a ballot measure revising the state's 2013 "Right to Repair" law to require automakers to provide expanded access to mechanical and electronic repair data.

The Washington-based alliance in a statement said it was evaluating its options to appeal the ruling, saying it continued to believe the Massachusetts Data Access Law was at odds with the U.S. Constitution.

"Today's decision will introduce potential security risks to our customers and their vehicles," the group said.