WASHINGTON, D.C.– The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has submitted public comments to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection regarding potential Clean Car regulations in the state of Florida. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection is considering standards that, if approved, would implement the California vehicle emission standards – including the California Super Warranty. The proposal directs the state to implement global warming and smog-forming emissions standards for vehicles. Additionally, the proposal would impose the expansion and extension of warranties that are in place in the state of California. ASA says it opposes the proposed Clean Car standards in Florida. Although ASA supports clean car programs, the association believes such programs can exist and prosper in states without expanding or extending warranties at the expense of independent repair facilities. As it stands, the Clean Car proposal will harm Florida’s small business community and limit Florida vehicle owners’ choice for servicing their vehicles. “Independent repairers in the state of Florida perform approximately 75 percent of all non-warranty repairs. Allowing more repairs to move only to franchised new car dealers for warranty repair will arbitrarily limit the repair marketplace in Florida,” says Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative, in the letter to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. “With these proposed super warranties, the loss of repair business for independents could be extreme. Our association believes that these state-induced super warranties are one of the greatest threats to the long-term survival of the independent automotive repairer.” ASA asked that the Department of Environmental Protection conduct an evaluation of the economic impact of such regulation on independent repairers before moving forward with the proposal. To view ASA’s submitted comments to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, visit ASA’s legislative Web site www.TakingTheHill.com. The letter can be found under the Super Warranties tab.
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