Aug. 24, 2011 — The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) is claiming Ford Motor Company misrepresented the truth about OEM parts in a recent video.
The ABPA said Ford’s assertion that OEM parts are the same as those used to manufacture the vehicle is incorrect. During ABPA tests, front bumper isolators from two 2005–2009 Mustangs were removed and compared to two equivalent Ford-branded service parts. The service parts were significantly lighter, the ABPA claimed.
"The huge weight discrepancies between production and service parts clearly underscore that the original Ford components that come on its vehicles and those Ford-branded parts sold for collision repair are not 'the same,' as they have claimed," said Eileen Sottile, co-chair of the ABPA’s Legislation and Regulation Committee.
The ABPA posted its own video touting the safety of aftermarket parts days after Ford’s video was release_notesd. The organization said its engineers are reviewing the auto manufacturer’s video further and plan to make public assessments after further testing.
The ABPA represents manufacturers, distributors and suppliers of independently produced aftermarket body parts.
