Potomac Falls Express Lube & Car Wash is leading an effort
by the American Oil Change Association (AOCA) and allied
groups to inform the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about
American Honda's recent announcement discouraging use of
Aftermarket parts and the potentially misleading phrasing
for consumers of 2011 Honda vehicles.
Accompanied by top executives of the Automotive Aftermarket
Industry Association (AAIA) and Automotive Aftermarket
Suppliers Association (AASA), Potomac Falls Express Lube &
Car Wash CEO and AOCA President Pat Wirth met recently with
a group of four FTC officials from the Division of Marketing
Practices to voice concerns about language in the "position
statement" issued by American Honda on August 20,
2010.
Wirth, who runs the only woman-owned fast lube/car wash
business in Virginia, has taken issue with the portion of
the Honda statement that states, "American Honda's new
vehicle warranty and replacement parts warranty do not apply
to any part which is not purchased from an authorized U.S.
Honda dealer. American Honda will not be responsible for
any subsequent repair costs associated with vehicle or part
failures caused by the use of parts other than Honda Genuine
parts purchased from an authorized U.S. Honda
dealer."
"Our side expressed a very real concern that if the FTC does
not address the wording in Honda's position statement with
them, which we believe to be misleading, then we fully
expect every other car manufacturer to follow suit," said
Wirth. "We are hoping they will enter into formal
discussions with Honda." In her current post as President
of the Automotive Oil Change Association, Wirth has a
leadership role in policymaking within the fast lube
industry.
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While the FTC has taken the position that the Honda Position
Statement does not violate the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act,
Wirth remarked, "These statements certainly imply that the
consumer will void their new car warranty if they don't go
to the dealer, which is patently untrue." The Magnuson-Moss
Warranty Act, a federal law, states that a manufacturer may
not require the use of any brand of filter or other part or
product unless the manufacturer provides the item free of
charge under the terms of the warranty.
"AOCA is gathering additional evidence of the negative
market impact of Honda's actions while the FTC is reviewing
Honda's statements as to their potentially misleading
effects as well as the sufficiency of FTC's public education
materials with respect to consumer rights in regard to this
issue," said Wirth. "We want the FTC to make it clear that
consumers do have a choice where they take their vehicles
for preventive maintenance."
For more information visit www.potomacfallsexpresslube.com.
