I don't see that there's any problem with the availability of repair info, or proprietary software / hardware here in NC. The problem is prohibitive pricing of all the tooling, programming software, and support.
Ford VCM for the IDS programming and diagnostic software:
Rotunda VCM
Ford IDS diagnostic and programming software:
Rotunda IDS
GM Tech 2 is available from OTC now and on sale in many places for as little as $3700.
Chrysler Corp DRBIII scan tool, and comm relay for Benchtop Programmer is around $6500.
VAGCOM/RossTech software for VW and Audi was about $2900 if I remember correctly..
Bosch Mastertech will cover Japanese cars for $5000.
Gscan will cover Korean, and everything else...I believe we got ours for $3000 or so.
Then, there's TPMS systems: Bartech 300SD, $650
That's something like $30,000 worth of stuff that I need for diagnostics that will be obsolete in a few short years, and competent diagnostics can't be done without them anymore.
I recently had a Chevy Colorado in the shop with a left turn signal problem after an aftermarket stereo install. The switched power for the radio was taken from the main power lead to the BCM, which controls the blink, and direction of the signals. Voltage drop on the BCM B+ lead crashed the BCM causing the left turn signal to blink fast all the time. The fix was to relocate the radio switched power wire to a stable source, R&I a BCM, then program the BCM.
I needed a $3500+ factory level scan tool to fix a turn signal, with little or no alternative, and that's where the industry is headed. The manufacturers will sell you anything that you need to fix their products if you can afford the price.