Press Releases
SEPTEMBER 17, 2007
For Immediate Release
QPC: Congress Must Protect Consumers’ from Auto Parts Monopoly
Washington, D.C. — The Quality Parts Coalition (QPC) today sponsored an event on Capitol Hill to draw attention to the big auto companies’ attempt to monopolize the repair parts industry which will threaten the future vitality of the independent auto parts industry and thousands of American jobs. The QPC is calling on Congress to include a “repair” clause or exemption in U.S. design patent law to protect competition and allow lower consumer costs for collision repairs.
“Allowing the big car companies to monopolize repair part patents stifles competition with independent parts manufacturers, forcing consumers to pay higher repair prices,” said Eileen Sottile, executive director of QPC. “I urge Congress to keep competition alive and include ‘repair’ language in U.S. patent design law.”
Due to a recent patent ruling, consumers no longer have an alternative option for quality replacement parts for the 2004 Ford F-150 pickup truck. This decision forces consumers to go to the dealership as the sole source for replacement parts, removing consumer choice. The ability to choose alternative parts saves consumers up to $1.5 billion a year. Quality replacement parts are anywhere from 26 percent to 50 percent less expensive than manufacturer issued parts, and replacement parts often have warranties that exceed those offered by automobile manufacturers. In addition, the independent auto parts industry employs tens of thousands of Americans.
Today, the car companies control more than 73 percent of the repair parts market, resulting in limited choices and increased costs to consumers. Shutting out competition in the auto parts market would further increase costs to consumers as well as insurance companies by roughly $1 billion each year.
“It is one thing to prevent car manufacturers from copying each other’s new car designs, it is quite another to prevent a consumer from choosing lower-priced, quality, replacement parts,” said Sandy Bass-Cors, Executive Director for Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). “Congress must preserve competition and consumers’ choice.”
The QPC was formed to ensure that consumers have a competitive choice when replacing parts for damaged cars or trucks. The QPC is dedicated to ensuring that U.S. design patent law preserves competition and protects consumers’ rights to choose a quality alternative: Safe and lower-cost replacement parts for damaged vehicles.
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