AAIA Issues Complaint to FTC in Defense of Aftermarket Parts
Last week, American Honda released position statements on Honda and Acura Genuine Parts, which state that failing to repair Honda and Acura vehicles with OEM parts could compromise vehicle safety and performance, along with warranties. As a result, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announced that it has filed a formal complaint with the Federal
Legislative Lowdown
California – The California Autobody Association (CAA) announced that it supports the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) performing a survey of the automotive repair industry that would include labor rates. The Collision Repair Association of California (CRA), however, opposes the BAR’s inclusion of labor rates in its survey. The CRA opposes the survey because of
Legislative Lowdown
Federal – Aaron Lowe, vice president of government affairs for the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), briefed legislators in the House Small Business Committee on the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694) on Sept. 25. Introduced last year, H.R. 2694 (Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-NY) would require car companies to make the same
‘Right to Repair’ Passes New Jersey Assembly
The New Jersey Assembly passed the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (A.B. 803) Monday by a vote of 49 in favor, 22 against and 8 abstaining. The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. Introduced by Assemblyman Reid Gusciora (D-Mercer), the legislation is designed to ensure that New Jersey independent repair shops
Congress Passes Intellectual Property Enforcement Legislation Without Parts Exemption
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed S.B. 3325 (Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt. and Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa.), legislation on intellectual property rights enforcement, without language from Rep. Zoe Lofgren’s (D-Calif.) bill, H.R. 5638, which would have created an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair articles of manufacture, including automobiles. The exemption
Congress Passes Intellectual Property Bill Without Parts Exemption
The U.S. Senate has unanimously passed S.B. 3325 on intellectual property rights enforcement without language from H.R. 5638, which would have created an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair articles of manufacture, including automobiles. The exemption would have been for parts with the sole purpose of repairing the original appearance of
Globe Trotting: Collision Repair in 16 Countries
Despite the miles – and oceans – separating them, collision repair markets around the world aren’t as unique as you might think. In fact, a developing market will likely experience the same growing pains and challenges as did its more developed counterparts on the other side of the world. Collision repair shop owners experience similar
Halfway Around the World in One Article
After BodyShop Business’ roving reporter Mike Lawrence returned from his two-day, 17-country whirlwind trip – in which he studied collision repair markets around the globe – he determined that while each country’s market is unique, it also sounds strangely familiar.
The Science of Paint
Funky flakes and effect pigments aren’t new, but it wasn’t until OEMs determined they were lucrative that they showed up on production vehicles. Now we’ve got rainbow, holograph and even glass-chip effects.