WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Texas House Law Enforcement Committee held a hearing this week to discuss various issues, including the topic of vehicle key codes. Ron Pyle, president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), presented testimony regarding the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM). Representatives from the Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (Alliance) and the Texas Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) also participated in the panel.

Pyle focused on the history of the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) and its development of the Secure Data Release Model. The SDRM is a secure method to support immobilizer reset and key code distribution through traditional aftermarket support channels. The creation of this model has been an industrywide effort to ensure that only registered security professionals can gain access to vehicle key codes. The NASTF Vehicle Security Committee has worked with the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) to create an industry solution for the release of these codes. Development of the SDRM began in 2003 and was fully implemented in January 2008.

Since the 2002 ASA-Automaker Service Information Agreement, both groups have worked together to ensure that independent repairers have access to the same service and tool information, and training, as franchised new car dealers. The Secure Data Release Model, developed by the NASTF Vehicle Security Committee, is the industry solution to this final service information gap. ASA believes that legislation addressing key codes would interfere with the private-sector solution already in place. The Texas House Law Enforcement Committee has not scheduled any further activity regarding vehicle key codes.

For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.