The Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) announced it has joined the new Consumer Access to Repair Coalition (CAR), a group of independent automotive parts and repair companies, associations and insurers dedicated to preserving and protecting consumer choice, transparency and affordability in the post-collision repair market.

“The ABPA is proud to join the CAR Coalition and will continue to fight for consumers’ rights in the post-collision process,” said Ed Salamy, executive director of ABPA. “Vehicle accidents are unfortunate and a part of life, but they shouldn’t be made more complicated due to the efforts of the car companies to limit choices and keep costs high. The CAR Coalition will be a voice for consumers in the policy debates in Washington and across the country.”

The CAR Coalition will work to advance policy solutions that address the rising cost of automotive collision repair for consumers. The coalition will also work to build awareness of what ABPA calls “efforts by automotive companies/OEMs to limit consumer choices in the post-collision repair process.” These include limiting consumer access to data, automotive design patent abuses and the use of steering techniques and first-notice-of-loss from OEMs, which ABPA states directs consumers to dealers first. According to the ABPA, these tactics limit repair choices and drive up costs for consumers.

“For years, the car companies have utilized various tactics as a sophisticated ruse to confuse consumers,” said Chris Northup, chairman of ABPA. “These tactics have created a detrimental effect on the cost of repair, the total loss valuation outcome and in time insurance premiums – all of which hurt consumers as well as threaten the vehicle repair supply chain.”

Members of the CAR Coalition include Allstate, ABPA, CAPA and LKQ Corporation.

For more information, visit carcoalition.com.