Re:NHTSA tells automakers not to comply with Massachusetts r...
by AnthonyMouse on Friday June 16, 2023 @01:45PM
(#36360725)
> Obviously, the State gov can't compel that, but if the right-to-repair rule is sufficiently popular with the state electorate, it should be easy to convince the State's representatives in Congress to push on the matter.
Something can be popular (in the sense that a significant majority are in favor) without having enough interest or organization behind it to cause federal representatives to care. Moreover, Massachusetts is about 2% of the federal legislature. Even if their citizens and representatives care about it a lot, they may not have the votes to do anything at the federal level.
Whereas if they refuse to be cowed, it costs the automakers something. Maybe they'd like to be able to sell cars more than they'd like to be able to lock third party mechanics out of them, and stop pressuring federal regulators to keep doing what causes them to be prohibited from it.
Something can be popular (in the sense that a significant majority are in favor) without having enough interest or organization behind it to cause federal representatives to care. Moreover, Massachusetts is about 2% of the federal legislature. Even if their citizens and representatives care about it a lot, they may not have the votes to do anything at the federal level.
Whereas if they refuse to be cowed, it costs the automakers something. Maybe they'd like to be able to sell cars more than they'd like to be able to lock third party mechanics out of them, and stop pressuring federal regulators to keep doing what causes them to be prohibited from it.