Why It Matters

The Auto Care Association reported $530,000 in second quarter 2026 lobbying expenditures in a disclosure filing submitted July 13, continuing elevated spending levels as the automotive industry advocates on issues including vehicle repair access, competition, and technology policy.

The second-quarter spending represents a slight decline from the previous quarter but remains above historical levels for the organization.

By the Numbers

The Auto Care Association's second-quarter lobbying disclosure was handled internally by Director of Government Affairs Jennifer Keaton and Senior Vice President of Government Affairs and General Counsel Lisa Foshee.

The organization reported $600,000 in lobbying expenditures during the first quarter of 2026, compared with $530,000 in the second quarter. Over the past year, the association's quarterly lobbying spending has ranged from $300,000 to $600,000, totaling approximately $2.33 million. The association filed five lobbying disclosures during the past year and did not report using outside lobbying firms during the second quarter of 2026.

This contrasts with earlier periods when the association worked with external firms. In 2025, the Nardelli Group and AxAdvocacy LLC both filed separate reports on behalf of the Auto Care Association, with AxAdvocacy terminating its engagement during the first quarter of 2026.

What They're Lobbying On

The Auto Care Association did not disclose specific issues in its second-quarter 2026 lobbying filing. However, prior quarters reveal a consistent focus on right to repair motor vehicles, a legislative priority the organization has maintained throughout 2025 and into 2026.

The association's broader advocacy agenda includes concerns about what it characterizes as original equipment manufacturer anti-competitive practices, trade and tax policy challenges, and technological initiatives that could limit market competition and independent repair viability. Policy outcomes regarding right to repair could impact market competition, independent repair viability, and access to vehicle data in a rapidly evolving, software-defined vehicle landscape.

The Bottom Line

Auto Care Association lobbying activity shows sustained engagement with Congress on automotive repair and competition issues, with spending levels remaining elevated compared to historical norms. The shift to internal-only lobbying representation in the second quarter marks a change from the multi-firm approach used in prior periods.

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