Press Releases
NOVEMBER 4, 2009
For Immediate Release
NACE 2009 Interview Opportunity
WHY:
From forcing consumers to reconsider necessary vehicle repairs, to increasing auto repairers’ wait time for the parts they need to stay in business, the economic downturn has set off a chain-reaction collision in the automotive industry. We know there are more challenges ahead: research shows that the car companies are strategizing to use patents to block competition from the repair parts market to bolster their profits. A greater monopoly on crash parts would squeeze consumer choice and further depress the supply chain.
The Quality Parts Coalition returns to NACE 2009 this year to advocate for passage of the “Access to Repair Parts Act,” legislation that will help the industry navigate the “new realities” of 2010 and beyond and finally give American consumers a break.
WHAT:
INTERVIEW AVAILIBILITY: To discuss why a permanent, legislative change is needed to stop the “looming threat” of a car company monopoly on individual crash parts. When a car company enforces a design patent on a crash part, repair prices soar –by as much as 80 percent – and consumers are deprived of the choice to use low-cost, quality parts for repair. The Quality Parts Coalition and its diverse membership are advocating for passage of the “Access to Repair Parts Act” (H.R. 3059/S.1368) in an effort to protect the American consumer and free competition.
WHO:
EILEEN A. SOTTILE, Quality Parts Coalition Executive Director and Board Member
DAN MORRISSEY, Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) Secretary, Quality Parts Coalition Board Member and Treasurer
PAT FELDER, Co-Owner, Felder’s Collision Parts, Inc., Quality Parts Coalition Board Member
WHEN:
Nov 4-6, 2009
Representatives are available for interviews throughout the conference and exhibition. To schedule a time to speak with them, please contact Katie Varn via email at kschrader@qualitypartscoalition.com or 800-353-1274.
WHERE:
Mandalay Bay Hotel
NACE 2009
Las Vegas, Nevada