Wisconsin Automotive Parts Association Joins Charge for Automotive Repair Clause
Support for H.R. 5638 Builds as Quality Parts Coalition’s Membership Grows

WASHINGTON — The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) today welcomed the Wisconsin Automotive Parts Association (WAPA) into the growing effort to secure a legislative solution that would prevent the big car companies’ attempt at a monopoly on replacement collision parts. As Wall Street turmoil forces Main Street consumers to curtail their spending, the Quality Parts Coalition and its diverse membership of consumer, insurance and industry groups continues to urge Congress to enact a repair clause. Repair clause legislation would guarantee that Americans continue to benefit from a savings of $1.5 billion in the automotive collision parts industry.

Automotive replacement collision parts are typically 26 to 50 percent less expensive than car company-issued parts and carry warranties that often exceed those offered by the car companies. In addition to saving consumers money, the independent alternative body parts market feeds the U.S. economy by employing tens of thousands of workers. Without a permanent legislative solution, the current and rising trend of car companies obtaining and enforcing 14-year design patents on collision replacement parts could remove this important benefit to consumers and the economy.

“Today, the nearly 2 million Ford F-150 owners have absolutely no choice when it comes to replacing the parts that are most likely to be affected by even the most minor fender bender,” said Eileen A. Sottile, executive director of the QPC. “WAPA’s reach and track record of success will help the Quality Parts Coalition secure passage of repair clause legislation to ensure that Congress gives Americans a break when it comes to making necessary repairs on their vehicles.”

“As a representative of aftermarket jobbers in Wisconsin, WAPA is concerned that a monopoly on replacement collision parts will drive up consumers’ repair costs and threaten the future vitality of the entire industry—from here in Madison to Washington, D.C.” said, Gary Manke, CAE Executive Vice President of WAPA. “The next legislative session is right around the corner and we are committed to pursuing a permanent change that protects the interests of consumers and the health of our industry, which employs 4.5 million Americans nationwide.”

For more information, visit www.wapaonline.com and www.qualitypartscoalition.com.

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For 48 years, the Wisconsin Automotive Parts Association has provided assistance to Wisconsin's auto parts jobbers with timely information, education, insurance, legislative representation, in addition to, programs and services. WAPA members identify the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with their peers at Association-sponsored functions as one of the top benefits of membership!

The Quality Parts Coalition represents the interests of the independent parts industry, repairers, insurers, consumers and seniors. It is the goal of the Quality Parts Coalition to develop and secure a permanent legislative change to U.S. design patent law to preserve competition and to protect the consumer’s right to benefit from quality, lower-cost alternative replacement parts.