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."
