News Briefs

Action to Reduce Truck, Bus Pollution

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced a major action designed to provide the cleanest running heavy-duty trucks and buses in history. These vehicles will be 95 percent cleaner than today's trucks and buses.

To ensure cleaner-running trucks and buses, the action also requires that sulfur in diesel fuel be reduced by 97 percent. Lead time has been provided in the rule for the introduction of cleaner fuel into the marketplace to ensure no disruptions in fuel supplies and reduce cost. Engine manufacturers will have flexibility to meet the new standards through a phase-in approach between 2007 and 2010. The fuel provisions will go into effect in June 2006.

ASA, CAPA Support Parts Reform Laws

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) at the 2000 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) reiterated its continued support for state and federal legislation to raise the quality of aftermarket crash parts. For several years, ASA has sought legislation that requires a consumer to have notice of the type of part used in vehicle repair as well as consent to the use of that part.

ASA leaders met with the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) several times last year to discuss the progress made on crash parts policy. ASA was very clear in reform steps to be taken by CAPA and CAPA has made a good faith effort in this direction.

CAPA has restructured its board of directors to include a more equitable representation of insurer, repairer and consumer directors. CAPA has also agreed to pursue federal regulatory participation in its policymaking process, including requests to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Federal Trade Commission to participate in its meetings. This should help assure that there are higher policy standards for both safety and quality with their respective participation.

CAPA also met ASA's request that its certification proposal eliminate the certification of original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts and focus on non-OEM crash parts.

The purpose of the legislative effort is to protect consumers from inferior aftermarket crash parts used to repair vehicles by requiring that all non-OEM aftermarket crash parts be certified by a credible, independent third party. This legislation continues ASA's policy of clear notification to the consumer of what type of part is being used and assures the safety and quality of that part through an independent professional third party.

I-CAR to Meet July 19-22 in Baltimore

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) will host its international annual meeting July 19-22, 2001, at the Marriott Waterfront Hotel in Baltimore, Md. For more information, check the I-CAR Web site, www.i-car.com.

ASE Blue Seal Program Expands Scope

From the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) comes word that the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program, initially offered only to repair shops, is now available to retail parts businesses including retailers, wholesalers and jobbers, and to support establishments such as diagnostic hotlines, technical publications, and research and engineering firms.

This creates the opportunity for even more automotive businesses to join the almost 1,000 repair shops that have already made this commitment to excellence.

To qualify for the program, 75 percent of service professionals employed at the business must be ASE certified, and at least one professional must be certified in each area of service offered. Once a business receives initial Blue Seal recognition, its status is reviewed annually to ensure that program requirements are still being met.

Web Site Will Assist Consumers

ASE also has announced a Web site to assist consumers in locating participants of the Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program - the nation's elite auto repair and service shops. The Web site at www.aseblueseal.org provides consumers with a state-by-state listing of shops recognized by the Blue Seal of Excellence Program.

Foreign Autos, Heavy Trucks Increasing

While domestic vehicles accounted for the greatest portion of 1999 aftermarket product growth, foreign vehicles and heavy trucks recorded significant increases in their share of product expansion during the year, reports Lang Marketing Resources.

Domestic vehicles were responsible for 40 percent of the $3.5 billion increase in 1999 aftermarket product sales at user-price, followed by foreign vehicles with 28.6 percent growth share. Heavy trucks (Class IV and larger vehicles) generated 22.9 percent of aftermarket product expansion, followed by the residual category of “other use,” which represented 8.5 percent of the total product gain.

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