Press Releases
MAY 19, 2008
For Immediate Release
Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois
Joins QPC in Support of H.R. 5638
Permanent Legislative Solution Protects Consumers and Competition in the Automotive Replacement Parts Market
WASHINGTON — Automotive Parts and Service Association (APSA) of Illinois today joined the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) in support of H.R. 5638, sponsored by Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). Introduced in March 2008, the bill would amend Title 35, U.S. Code (Patents) to provide design patent exemption for alternative repair parts used for the purpose of repairing a vehicle to its original appearance, protecting consumers from monopolies imposed by the large automakers in the aftermarket collision parts market.
The QPC was created in early 2007 in response to a Section 337 case filed by Ford Global Technologies with the International Trade Commission (ITC) against manufacturers and U.S. distributors of auto exterior repair parts on the Ford F-150, which resulted in the elimination of a competitive choice for the American consumer for seven exterior Ford F-150 repair parts. With that decision currently under appeal, Ford Global Technologies filed a second suit, targeting 2005 Ford Mustang replacement parts, on May 2, 2008.
"With Ford's apparent push to monopolize the automotive collision parts market, it is now more important than ever that Congress adopt Rep. Lofgren's bill to protect consumers from unwarranted and illegal monopolies," said Eileen A. Sottile, executive director of the QPC. "APSA of Illinois, along with the QPC, recognizes that this drive to create a second monopoly in collision repair parts is an attempt by car manufactures, already reeling from a tough economy, to increase their own revenues at the detriment of the consumer. Rep. Lofgren's introduction of H.R. 5638 is a permanent legislative solution that will protect owners of every automobile make and model."
For fifty years, APSA of Illinois has been guided by business policies and practices based on truth, integrity, honor and dependability. Throughout its history, the Association has worked to provide a solid foundation to organize the automotive aftermarket in Illinois, offering strong leadership to ensure the growth and prosperity of the industry.
"Design patents are intended to protect the overall innovation of an automobile, not to provide an avenue for big automakers to impose a monopoly -- and remove incentive to keep costs low and quality high – on the aftermarket collision parts market," said Matt Wells, executive vice president of APSA of Illinois. "Rep. Lofgren's bill will protect the tradition of competition in the alternative aftermarket collision parts industry that has provided a quality choice when repairing a crashed vehicle for more than 60 years."
For more information, visit www.apsail.com and www.qualitypartscoalition.com.
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Automotive Parts and Service Association of Illinois is a not-for-profit trade association representing the automotive aftermarket industry in Illinois. The Association's objective is to promote and foster high ethical business standards among those engaged in the merchandising of essential automotive materials and services. APSA of Illinois strives to create and establish practical methods for the growth and development of the automotive aftermarket business.
The Quality Parts Coalition represents the interests of the independent parts industry, the repair industry, the insurance industry and consumers. 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.