FTC revs up 'right to repair' fight with Harley-Davidson agreement

WASHINGTON: Motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson Inc and a Westinghouse generator maker have agreed to drop some restrictions on who repairs their products, the US Federal Trade Commission said on Thursday.

The agency voted last year to make it a priority to push manufacturers to stop requiring consumers to use licensed dealers to repair items ranging from smartphones to farm equipment.

Critics say the practice raises prices for consumers and shuts out independent repair shops.

The FTC said in its complaint against Harley-Davidson, which was released at the same time as the consent agreement, that it had objected to language used by the motorcycle maker such as "the use of parts and service procedures other than Harley-Davidson approved parts and service procedures may void the limited warranty."

Under the agreement, Harley-Davidson agreed that it would not void warranties because the buyer used third-party parts or unauthorised service centres.

Outdoor generator maker MWE Investments, part of Westinghouse Electric Corp, made a similar agreement with the FTC.

Right-to-repair was part of a sweeping executive order that US President Joe Biden signed last summer aimed at promoting more competition in the economy.

The order addressed complaints as disparate as non-compete clauses in worker contracts and high prices for hearing aids.

Neither Harley-Davidson nor Westinghouse immediately responded to a request for comment.