director, and study coauthor Robert Bruno, Ph.D. “Its effectiveness should encourage the state of Illinois to strengthen educational and enforcement efforts and other states to consider enacting their own warranty parity policies.” Other states are considering their options, as Illinois is not the only state choosing to place drivers and mechanics above corporate profits. At least four other states have enacted similar warranty parity laws. California, Wisconsin and Montana had laws prior to 2023, while Minnesota became the newest state with a policy in October 2023. Other states, like Colorado and deeply conservative Texas, have also introduced bills to end the two-tiered compensation system in automotive repairs. The economic impacts are clear. According to a study conducted by Auto Outlook, an independent automotive marketing firm, franchise car dealerships are responsible for 15.3% of Illinois retail employment. That translates to 87,800 jobs for state residents directly or indirectly employed by the new car industry. The same study reports that in 2023, new franchised automobile dealerships in Illinois collected or paid $3.37 billion in state and local taxes, an average of $4.81 million per dealership. Franchise auto dealers have long provided the reassurance of reliable, accountable service to protect the safety of the driving public. Our dealerships are making large-scale investments to prepare for more sales and service of electric vehicles, which will require more training and expert professionals as more of these vehicles hit the roads. The car-buying experience is continuously transforming, providing significant new opportunities for consumers, but one constant remains: Cars will need maintenance and repairs, even brand-new ones. It is nice to know that in Illinois, we are focused on the well-being of consumers and workers who provide that important service rather than on corporate automakers’ bottom lines. 21 Illinois Automobile Dealer News
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