The Automotive Recyclers Association responded to WTAE Pittsburgh’s broadcast segment titled, “Body Shops Say Insurance Companies Force Them to Use Recycled Parts.” The letter sites “flawed reporting and gross mischaracterizations” in the segment.

Here is the letter in its entirety:

Mr. Paul Van Osdol 

WTAE-TV 

400 Ardmore Blvd.

Pittsburgh, PA 15221  

Via Email: [email protected]    

Dear Paul:  

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) represents over 4,500 professional automotive recyclers across the United States and in 14 countries internationally. It is on their behalf that I express disappointment at the flawed reporting and gross mischaracterizations contained in a March 4, 2015 broadcast regarding the utilization of genuine, recycled original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. ARA believes collision repairers should use their professional training and judgment to make repair decisions based on the individual circumstances surrounding the damaged vehicles, and that all stakeholders involved in the collision repair marketplace should recognize the genuine value, safety and benefits that each repair part option (recycled, new, aftermarket, remanufactured, reconditioned) may provide in a given repair. Your segment repeatedly mixed references, using the terms aftermarket, recycled, remanufactured and reconditioned interchangeably without informing viewers about important part distinctions. This irresponsible reporting only serves to further confuse the public about the viability of important repair options.

Click here to read the letter in its entirety.

Click here to read about the original broadcast.