By Dale Burks
Texas has always been a proud champion of manufacturing, securing our supply chains, and protecting economic sovereignty. Texas leaders, especially Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), now have an opportunity to lead in this issue by addressing a growing threat to the independent automotive aftermarket, small businesses, and consumers through common-sense legislation called the REPAIR Act that ensures fair competition, protects consumer affordability, and supports manufacturing and distribution jobs.
Standard Motor Products, Inc. (SMP), a 106-year-old, US-based automotive aftermarket parts manufacturer, proudly operates its Temperature Control headquarters as well as a 400,000 square foot distribution center in Lewisville, Texas, supporting automotive repair customers across the state and nationwide. From this advanced facility, our teams manage product development, inventory, and logistics for a full range of HVAC and engine cooling components serving the automotive aftermarket. It is also the company’s global headquarters for Information Technology.
SMP also maintains a dedicated vehicle validation and testing center in Irving, Texas, where modern technologies—such as sensors and other critical vehicle systems—are evaluated in real driving conditions. Together, our Texas operations ensure that technicians, distributors, and vehicle owners receive affordable, high-quality automotive repair solutions delivered with speed, precision, and industry-leading expertise.
Across Texas, independent shop owners, automotive repair technicians, do-it-yourselfers (DIY), and their aftermarket parts suppliers who have served their communities for decades face an existential threat from automakers using digital restrictions to control diagnostic data. This information determines whether your vehicle can be repaired at a local shop or only at an expensive OEM dealership. By hoarding this data, car companies have transformed routine maintenance into a corporate monopoly, excluding aftermarket suppliers and concentrating profits within OEM dealership chains. This practice drives up costs for consumers, eliminates repair options, and pushes parts manufacturing overseas.
These repair monopolies also impose a hidden tax on Texas industries through inflated vehicle maintenance costs. Higher repair costs burden energy workers, strain the small businesses that drive job creation, and weaken supply chain resilience. Artificial data restrictions undermine the distributed, competitive manufacturing network that has historically made America prosperous.
The REPAIR Act has been introduced in the House and Senate to ensure that vehicle owners, parts manufacturers, and qualified repair professionals have access to the diagnostic tools necessary to service modern cars and trucks. This legislation would preserve fair competition, reduce repair costs, ensure consumers decide who repairs their vehicles, and protect American jobs.
Texas has more at stake than most states. Our automotive industry supports over
813,000 jobs across manufacturing, sales, repair, and maintenance, and contributes nearly
$109.05 billion in economic activity annually. More than
1.2 billion tons of goods are transported on Texas highways by trucks that rely on the independent repair channel to stay on the road. With
24.92 million registered vehicles in Texas, the impact of higher costs or sidelined vehicles will fall squarely on Texas workers, manufacturers, and consumers.
Texas leaders have always “punched above their weight” for their influence in Congress. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), as chair of the
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, has direct authority over this critical issue. In this role, Senator Cruz can continue leading on this issue and champion free enterprise and fair competition by advancing the REPAIR Act through his Commerce committee.
The REPAIR Act would apply principles of fair competition to the automotive sector, delivering economic benefits for families and manufacturers. I urge our Texas leaders to support the passage of this legislation for Texas families. It is time to eliminate corporate barriers, restore fair competition, and keep Texas – and America – moving forward.
Dale Burks is the Chief Commercial Officer and Executive Vice President at Standard Motor Products, Inc.