Contact:	Caroline Holland (202) 543-1440 c.holland@att.net
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin PR-64 November 14, 2007

ASA Testifies at New Mexico Emissions Standards Hearing

ASA Board Member Presents Testimony in Santa Fe

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 14, 2007 - The New Mexico Environmental Improvement Board held a hearing today at the New Mexico State Capitol in Santa Fe. The purpose of the meeting was to take public comment on the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) proposal to adopt emissions standards for new motor vehicles. Jerry Burns, owner of Automotive Impressions in Rio Rancho, N.M., and member of the national board of directors of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), testified during the hearing.

Burns expressed concern on behalf of ASA and its New Mexico members over the proposed expanded super warranty provisions included in the California clean car program now being considered by the board. He proposed that the super warranty is the greatest long-term threat to the repair industry, also impacting both parts distributors and parts manufacturers. Burns stated before the board, "For independent repairers, we lose not only those vehicle repairs that are covered by this proposed super warranty, we also lose the customer's other repair items, possibly losing the customer permanently. Why would a vehicle owner bring a car to my shop for a specific non-warranty repair and take his or her car to a franchised new car dealer for an additional warranty repair? Two stops for a vehicle repair? I think not. I also have the potential to lose my customer for the foreseeable future. With the increasing pressure on U.S. families for the use of their time, making two stops for vehicle repair won't happen, no matter how loyal the vehicle owner is to my repair facility."

ASA also expressed concern over potential damage to the New Mexico small business community. Burns said independent repairers in New Mexico perform approximately 75 percent of all non-warranty repairs. Allowing repairs to move only to franchised new car dealers for these super warranty repairs will arbitrarily limit the repair marketplace in New Mexico.

While ASA supports clean car programs that improve air quality, it believes they can exist and prosper in states without expanding or extending warranties at the expense of independent repair facilities. Burns urged the New Mexico Environment Department to consider the negative impacts of the super warranty and at a minimum, follow the Washington state model in adopting the clean car program while eliminating the super warranty provision.

To view the proposed regulation, visit ASA's legislative Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com. The link can be found under the "Press Center" tab by clicking on "References and Bills."

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.asashop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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