Las Vegas--The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) underscored at the recent NACE event its steadfast support of the “Access to Repair Parts Act” (H.R. 3059/S.1368), legislation that ensures American motorists have a choice to use high-quality, low-cost alternative collision repair parts when restoring their vehicles to pre-accident condition.
The NACE 2009 theme, (“New Realities. New Strategies.”), presented the QPC with an opportunity to show collision repairers, distributors, and manufacturers that legislation guaranteeing competition and consumer choice benefits every party involved in a repair transaction.
The hardships threatening the vitality of the automotive industry-–including a depleted supply chain and increased cycle time–-are squeezing the repairer-customer relationship, QPC said.
These nationwide trends demonstrate the heightened need for the availability of quality, low-cost alternatives to costly car company parts, it added.
Consumers have enjoyed the benefits associated with the presence of a robust alternative parts industry for 60 years, QPC said. As consumers re-examine their expenditures at this time of economic distress, the $1.5 billion provided in savings to motorists who use alternative repair parts each year is becoming increasingly important, it said.
When alternative parts are present, they drive down the cost of car company parts on average of 8 percent, QPC noted. In this economic climate, such savings will ensure consumers need not choose between repairing their vehicles and spending on groceries or health care, it said.
Car companies, however, are challenging the availability of alternative parts in an effort to shore up their bottom line on the repair side, the coalition said.
Since 2005, the number of restrictive design patents granted to the car companies on individual crash parts (such as bumpers, fenders, and hoods) has more than doubled, QPC said. History shows that this anticompetitive practice will drive up the prices of parts and further restrict the supply chain to the detriment of the American consumer, it said.
QPC urged immediate passage of the “Access to Repair Parts Act” by U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I.
Supporters of “Access to Repair Parts Act” range from consumer advocates such as the Consumer Federation of America to insurance industry voices such as the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America to independent repair shops around the country, QPC noted.
“The continuity and affordability that alternative parts provide are desperately needed as we combat the economic disruptions that are spreading through the marketplace,” said Eileen A. Sottile, Quality Parts Coalition executive director and board member.
“Earlier this year, the U.S. government elected to give a break to several car companies, Sottile said. “The QPC urges Congress to do the same for consumers across the nation.”
