Oct. 26, 2011—The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) requested the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to strengthen the pro-consumer Magnuson-Moss Act to protect motoring consumers and disregard auto manufacturers’ campaigns against the use of aftermarket parts.
The Magnuson-Moss Act prohibits auto repairs from being tied to auto warranties. CARE forwarded its request to the FTC Oct. 21.
Sandy Bass-Cors, executive director of CARE, said there have been several instances when car companies have attempted to pass state legislation that would void car owners' vehicle warranties if aftermarket parts were used as replacements for repairs. The language of that legislation is in violation of federal law.
"The car companies have tried to circumvent Magnuson-Moss by disseminating a well-orchestrated misinformation campaign against aftermarket parts stating that aftermarket parts are imitation, and are inferior in quality,” Bass-Cors said.
A recent American Automobile Association (AAA) Financial Auto Repair Survey revealed that one in four car owners can't afford to pay for car repairs and forgo having them done, according to CARE. The organization said the Magnuson-Moss Act must be maintained and strengthened to protect motoring consumers and the aftermarket industry.
"By making false accusations against aftermarket parts, millions of hardworking folks in the aftermarket could eventually see their jobs diminished in numbers due to a loss of sales,” Bass-Cors said.
CARE represents automotive aftermarket companies, including: NAPA, Midas, CARQUEST, AutoZone, Advance Auto Parts, O'Reilly's Auto Parts and Bridgestone-Firestone. The automotive aftermarket is a $290 billion industry that employs nearly five million people in more than 495,000 businesses nationwide, according to CARE.
