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News Bulletin 97.36
July 28, 1997
ASA Expresses Dissatisfaction With CAPA
Bedford, Texas, July 28, 1997-- On behalf of its Collision Division members, the Automotive Service Association (ASA) sent a letter to the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) requesting that CAPA take further steps to ensure that certified collision parts consistently meet or exceed the quality of original equipment manufactured (OEM) parts.
For 10 years, CAPA has used its criteria to certify the quality of parts used for collision repairs. ASA members have expressed concerns that CAPA-certified parts are unacceptable to collision repair facilities. "Although CAPA has continuously raised its standards, the collision repair industry still cannot be assured of a high quality product simply because it bears the CAPA seal, " said Joe Sanders, ASA's Collision Division director.
In the letter, ASA expressed that it has supported the organization for 10 years, however, it does not have confidence that the CAPA-certification process is working. "The fact that CAPA continuously certifies and de-certifies the same parts supports our opinion that CAPA-certified parts do not consistently even meet CAPA's criteria," the letter explained.
"Our members and the repair industry must be able to rely on high quality parts, PRIOR to installation. Right now, ASA members and the industry are acting as the testing entity to determine if aftermarket sheet metal parts correctly fit. This should be the sole responsibility of CAPA," said Sanders.
In addition, at a June 17 meeting of domestic and import auto manufacturers, an aftermarket crash parts distributor, an automotive recycler and service industry representatives, agreement was reached that there was no need to recognize certification on a proposed crash parts written disclosure and consent form. "All ultimately agreed that there was not enough justification to differentiate between certified and non-certified parts on the disclosure and acceptance form," said Sanders.
ASA informed CAPA that it will not continue its support unless CAPA shows evidence of improvements in the certification process and implements a plan to ensure that parts bearing the CAPA seal will consistently meet or exceed OEM parts for fit, finish, structural integrity, corrosion resistance and optimum crash performance.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind serving more than 12,000 businesses and approximately 55,000 professionals from all segments of the automotive service industry. ASA advances the professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services.