How Right-to-Repair Rules Could Change Car Ownership

A shift is underway, and it is moving faster than the headlines suggest.

Strip away the headlines and a more nuanced picture emerges.

What is really going on

The technology involved has matured faster than public perception of it. As a result, assumptions formed a few years ago are quietly going out of date, and decisions made on those assumptions deserve a fresh look.

The interesting questions in cars are rarely about what changed — they are about why, and what it costs us.

The other side

It would be a mistake to declare a clear winner. The right choice depends heavily on how, where and why a car is used — and that varies enormously.

The bottom line

Whatever happens next, the old assumptions no longer apply. Buyers and enthusiasts alike will be better served by keeping an open mind.