Representatives Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Walter Jones (R-North Carolina) and Dennis Ross (R-Fla.) joined U.S. House Judiciary Committee Members Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) in support of the "Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales (PARTS) Act," or H.R. 3889. According to the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC), the legislation preserves the American consumer’s right to benefit from competition in the auto replacement parts industry.
"American drivers currently have access to alternative auto replacement parts that can save them between 26 to 50 percent when repairing their cars after an accident, but car companies are trying to force consumers to buy their parts only and eliminate the competition," says the QPC. "Car companies have been acquiring U.S. design patents on exterior auto repair parts – such as hoods, bumper covers and mirrors – and enforcing them against independent suppliers who have been selling these more affordable and quality alternative parts for more than 60 years. This means less competition, which could cost drivers an additional $1.5 billion annually."
The QPC says the PARTS Act would stop the car companies from growing their "monopoly" in the market by reducing the period during which they can enforce their design patents against alternative suppliers from 14 years to 2.5 years. To prepare to enter the market, the alternative parts industry would be permitted to manufacture, test, market and distribute parts without infringing on the design patents during the 2.5-year period.
"If enacted, this new bill would not only save consumers money, but it would also protect jobs nationwide," the QPC says. "The auto repair parts industry employs tens of thousands of workers in jobs ranging from manufacturing to distribution to repair. More than 40,000 collision repair shops carry alternative repair parts that contribute to quicker repairs, getting consumers back on the road faster."
Added Eileen Sottile, executive director of the QPC, "The Quality Parts Coalition applauds the new bill co-sponsors for fighting for motorists’ rights when it comes to repairing the cars, especially during these tough economic times. We’re urging Congress to pass this bill to stop car companies from growing their profits at the expense of budget-conscious consumers and the independent auto repair parts industry."
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