Team PRP, the largest national network of independent auto recyclers in the U.S., has made a statement condemning the Anderson Cooper 360 report on the “auto insurance scam” that aired on Feb. 11, 2015.
“Unfortunately, in the segment’s attempt to bring to light a potentially dangerous scheme, serious reporting shortcomings left viewers with faulty and damaging assumptions concerning the automotive recycling industry and available parts,” Team PRP said in a statement. “Throughout the segment, several derogatory statements were made, referring to used repair parts as simply ‘junk’ and ‘junkyard’ parts. This was not an accurate or just reflection of today’s automotive recycling industry, as none of the parts shown in the CNN report were OEM recycled parts supplied by an automotive recycler.
“Team PRP would like to clarify the fact that the parts seen on that segment would never have met its own stringent quality control standards. In fact, in 2014, Team PRP facilities supplied repairers and consumers with nearly $1 billion in top-quality OEM recycled parts. Their 140 facilities have truly earned the respect of insurers, repairers and consumers alike for their premium quality parts, excellent warranties and professional services. Team PRP is deeply disappointed by the unbalanced and irresponsible reporting evidenced in CNN’s presentation. We echo the sentiments of the letter directed to CNN from Michael Wilson, CEO of the Automotive Recyclers Association, which clearly identified several mischaracterizations and serious omissions and asked CNN to retract their negative and erroneous depiction of recycled parts. We wish to call upon the CNN ‘Anderson Cooper 360’ investigative team to present a more balanced follow-up story that not only corrects their fallacious and harmful misrepresentations, but further educates viewers on the profoundly positive impact that the automotive recycling industry has upon our global environment and the economy.
“High-quality recycled parts offer a tremendous value in the marketplace. And as the original ‘green’ industry, automotive recyclers repurpose approximately 95 percent of discarded automobiles, which include but are not limited to premium recycled OEM parts, all fluids, precious metals and various other scrap materials. Team PRP members take very seriously this mission to reduce, reuse and recycle these resources.
“Team PRP believes that CNN has the responsibility – and opportunity – to now rectify their harmful oversights and bring awareness to the undeniably beneficial role the professional automotive recycling industry plays.”
