The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) applauds and supports the recently-announced efforts of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) in requesting that the FTC investigate whether certain assertions made by the car companies are in violation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and to require them to show evidence to substantiate their spurious claims that there are problems with the use of non-original equipment parts.
"American motorists should rest assured that the automotive aftermarket collision parts industry and ABPA members are doing our part to ensure their safety on the road," said Eileen A. Sottile, co-chair of the ABPA Legislation & Regulation Committee. "Given the financial stake the car companies have in the replacement parts market, we are not surprised to see them working overtime to disparage aftermarket parts in an attempt to create a monopoly market for their own replacement parts."
ABPA members have long been committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety in the automotive aftermarket while providing effective alternatives to expensive car company parts to motorists for more than 60 years. ABPA members employ quality assurance programs including NSF International and Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) to ensure that aftermarket parts are comparable in fit, finish, performance and quality to car company parts.
Furthermore, a strong aftermarket ensures healthy competition, which helps to keep prices down. Economic data suggests that aftermarket parts cost anywhere from 26 to 50 percent less than car company equivalent parts and that the availability of aftermarket parts helps to keep prices down on the car companies' parts as well."With such a cost savings to the consumer, car companies certainly have an incentive to attack the safety and effectiveness of aftermarket parts and exploit motorists' wallets for their own financial gain," Sottile continued. "While the car companies' futures remain uncertain, and dealerships across the nation have been forced to shutter their operations, the aftermarket remains poised to provide motorists with safe, effective and readily available alternatives."
