Members of the California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA)
met in Sacramento to actively lobby the California Legislature to
ensure no laws are passed that harm a robust and competitive
independent automotive aftermarket industry and to highlight important
legislative and regulatory proposals impacting aftermarket businesses.
CAWA members met at the state capitol on March 26 with legislators and
staff to highlight the positive role the aftermarket plays in reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and promoting the aftermarket industry as a
viable, competitive and strongly desired choice for consumers in parts
purchasing and auto repair and maintenance.
According to CAWA, a number of legislative proposals have been
introduced in 2008 that threaten the aftermarket, particularly Senate
Bill 1059, which would create prohibitions against the installation of
an aftermarket part on a vehicle. CAWA members lobbied in opposition to
the measure, citing that in many cases the same companies that
manufacture OEM parts manufacture aftermarket parts, and the only
difference is the box and the price of the part.
CAWA members continued to stress that aftermarket parts are often
identical or even better than the OEM parts being replaced since
aftermarket companies have the opportunity to correct problems that
only become apparent during use of a part on a vehicle. Furthermore,
many of the aftermarket parts come with long-term or lifetime
warranties and can cost up to 50 percent less than the identical car
company part.
S.B. 1059 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Banking, Finance and
Insurance Committee on April 2. CAWA is working with partners AAIA and
CARE to put an end to the bill.
In addition to lobbying against S.B. 1059, CAWA members discussed
employment issues, including workers’ compensation and mandated health
care proposals; emphasized the continued need for improved career and
technical education and training programs for youth; and updated
lawmakers about CARB’s overregulation of the industry, including its
efforts to extend warranties and ban the retail sale of R134a.
For more information, visit www.cawa.org.
