Trump Learns of Right to Repair Battle from Ford and GM, Farley Responds

Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell: Ford and GM *asked* him to block your right to fix your own car, and bru, this is going to hit your wallet hard. This isn’t some woke culture war; this is about real money, real mechanics, and the right to tinker with your own machine. It’s a lekker mess brewing, and it's going to affect everyone from the boet in Boksburg to the businessman in Sandton. ## So, What Did Trump Actually Say? So, the ex-president was chatting with the heads of Ford and GM, along with Roger Penske, and apparently, they were keen to keep you from getting your hands dirty under the bonnet. Trump called the idea of Right to Repair “strange,” saying these automakers “don’t want people to fix their car.” Jislaaik. He even reminisced about guys who "weren’t too good at arithmetic" but could "fix an engine blindfolded." Sounds like a lekker bit of common sense to me. The whole thing came up during a discussion about coal plants, of all things. Apparently, Trump heard about Right to Repair on June 3rd during this meeting. There are multiple bills kicking around Congress trying to legislate this, but Trump didn’t commit to any specific solution, just promised to “get it all straightened away.” Sounds promising, but politicians promise a lot, hey? ## The 'Safety' Excuse: Is It Kak? Ford CEO Jim Farley jumped in to defend the automaker's position, telling the Detroit Free Press that letting owners repair their own vehicles "would put people's lives at risk." He even bragged about fixing a 1973 Ford Bronco, but drew the line at a new one. Eish. That's a bit rich, isn’t it? Come on, bru. Are they seriously suggesting we’re all too befok to change a tyre, let alone diagnose a sensor issue? It stinks of a desperate attempt to control the narrative. While safety is important, this feels like a convenient excuse. It’s a bit like Checkers telling you you can only buy milk from their store to ensure its freshness. It just doesn’t wash. ## Why Do Dealers Get So Befok When You Want to Fix Your Own Ride? The real reason automakers are kicking up such a dust isn't safety; it's the money, plain and simple. Dealer service revenue has declined 12 percent since 2018. Think about that. That’s a significant chunk of change vanishing from their bottom line. And with people keeping their vehicles longer – the average vehicle age is now 13 years – they’re losing even more potential repair income. They’re scared stiff that if you can fix your own car, or take it to a local mechanic who isn’t part of their network, their lucrative repair monopolies are going to crumble. It’s like Nando’s getting upset because you’re making your own peri-peri chicken at home. They want you hooked on their services, and they’ll fight tooth and nail to keep it that way. ## The 2014 Promise That Went Nowhere Back in 2014, the major automakers signed a “voluntary” agreement to share diagnostic and repair information with owners and independent shops. Sounds good on paper, right? Turns out it was about as useful as a chocolate teapot. The agreement had no teeth, no enforcement mechanism, and wasn’t consistently followed. It was a PR stunt, a way to look like they were doing something without actually changing anything. A classic case of talking the talk but not walking the walk. ## What Does This Mean for South African Car Owners? This isn’t just an American problem, bru. What happens overseas always trickles down to us. If Right to Repair becomes law in the US, it will put pressure on automakers here to do the same. Currently, getting access to specialized tools and information for modern cars in South Africa can be a nightmare. Parts can be expensive and hard to find, and independent mechanics often struggle to diagnose complex issues. A stronger Right to Repair movement globally could lead to lower repair costs, more competition, and greater access to parts for South African car owners. Imagine being able to get your bakkie fixed by your trusted local mechanic instead of being forced to go to the dealership and pay through the nose. That’s a lekker thought. ## Security Concerns: Are Hackers Really After Your Corolla? Automakers are also raising the spectre of vehicle hacking. They claim that allowing access to vehicle computers could create security vulnerabilities, potentially allowing bad actors to remotely control cars. Now, there’s a legitimate concern about cybersecurity, especially with increasingly connected vehicles. But is it a real threat to your average Corolla? Or is it just another scare tactic? Consumers argue they're being locked out of even basic diagnostic information, which automakers consider proprietary. That argument makes far more sense than the safety or security reasoning and is likely the main driver of their opposition. Look, the car industry is changing. Cars are becoming more like computers on wheels, and automakers are trying to maintain control over every aspect of the ownership experience. But at the end of the day, it’s *your* car. You should have the right to fix it, modify it, and maintain it as you see fit. **Verdict:** This whole situation smells like a blatant attempt by automakers to protect their profits at the expense of consumers. Trump’s intervention, while unexpected, could be a game-changer. We need Right to Repair laws – and we need them now. But here’s the big question: Will automakers actually comply with Right to Repair laws, even if they’re passed? Or will they find new ways to lock you out of your own vehicle? Click here to find out about the emerging grey market for vehicle diagnostic tools and how savvy owners are already fighting back.