The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), the group that together with ASA represented the automotive aftermarket in talks with auto manufacturers on right-to-repair issues and is now the primary policer of industry compliance with the voluntary OEM service information agreement, wants to get a full-time staff to deal with ongoing issues. NASTF held a conference call in early December to talk about who should be on the board of directors, an issue which has been a stumbling block. 

The structure of a NASTF board is likely to include representation from different industry segments. The following structure has been proposed:

Shop Owners (3) - Alliance of Auto-motive Service Providers, Automotive Service Association, Automotive Service Councils of California

Dealers (1) - National Automobile Dealers Association

Technicians (2) - International Auto-motive Technicians Network, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence

Tool Companies (2) - Equipment & Tool Institute, ETI Diagnostic Tool Committee representative

Trainers (2) - Automotive Training Managers Council, Council of Advance Automotive Trainers

Locksmiths (2) - Associated Lock-smiths of America, NASTF Vehicle Security Committee representative (locksmith)

Automakers (2) - Alliance of Auto-mobile Manufacturers, Association of International Automobile Manufacturers

Parts Companies (2) - Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Motor Equipment Manufacturers

At Large (2) - Society of Collision Repair Specialists, Independent Infor-mation Provider representative (from ETI committee)

Conferees discussed giving a seat on the board to the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) - a primary supporter of passing a Right to Repair Act as a Federal law. CARE is purely a Washington lobby group and not a traditional industry organization. One of the issues a new board will deal with is deciding how NASTF will mediate disputes and what force it would have to impose sanctions on auto makers for non-compliance.