Rseearch Triangle Park, NC — Apr 6, 2009 — In a letter sent to David Hunt on March 31, speaker of the Oregon House of Representatives, AASA praised the changes to Oregon H.B. 2268, proposed legislation which would have imposed potentially harmful restrictions on automotive aftermarket products and parts.

“On behalf of the supplier industry, I wish to thank you for recognizing and eliminating most of the onerous provisions of the original legislation,” said Steve Handschuh, president and COO of AASA, in his letter to Hunt. “This amended legislation recognizes the key role the aftermarket plays in maintaining vehicles on the road. The industry provides quality parts and services to consumers whether they choose to do their own maintenance or use a technician. Remanufactured parts are a growing portion of the business, offering consumers important quality options,” Handschuh added.

Staff of AASA and its Washington, D.C., office submitted a letter earlier to the Oregon legislature, outlining serious concerns with current legislation in the state’s legislature.

The amended version of HB 2268 deletes several requirements which would have led to undue burdens for the aftermarket supplier industry which included: 

  Requiring a vehicle repair shop to include a statement declaring that its use of aftermarket parts may invalidate any remaining warranties of the original equipment manufacturer, inconsistent with federal law;

  Requiring vehicle repair shops to certify that each part or component system intended to replace the existing equipment is supplied by the original equipment manufacturer;

  Calling for an estimate to be provided prior to initial work, while at the same time requiring the vehicle repair shop to identify each part and component system it proposes to replace and declaring whether the replacement part will be new, used, rebuilt or reconditioned;

  Requiring an independent test facility to certify replacement parts in order to ascertain that it is at least equivalent in quality to the part being replaced.

While the AASA letter noted that the majority of the harmful amendments were either removed or substantially changed, one final amendment is still of concern. It defines a “vehicle repair shop” as a business engaged in evaluating the condition of, maintaining and repairing motor vehicles, but includes language that exempts a person who repairs a physically damaged vehicle in connection with a claim under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy.

AASA and the Washington office are working with representatives in Oregon to amend this language to include automotive evaluation and repair associated with vehicle liability insurance policies.

About AASA
AASA (www.aftermarketsuppliers.org) exclusively serves suppliers of aftermarket components, tools and equipment, and related products. It is a recognized industry change agent – promoting a collaborative industry environment, providing a forum to address issues and serving as a valued resource for members. AASA is a market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). “AASA, Leadership in the Global Automotive Aftermarket”