President Donald Trump has signed a memorandum directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to slash red tape around vehicle repairs, marking a significant challenge to the business model of franchised car dealerships across the United States.
The directive, signed on 29 June, instructs the EPA to clarify what work owners and independent garages may legally perform on emissions systems. While the White House frames the move as a victory for consumer choice and lower costs, it sets the stage for a bitter industrial battle between car dealers, who rely on service revenue, and insurance companies eager to reduce claim costs by mandating cheaper aftermarket parts.
