BETHESDA, MD — Eight aftermarket associations filed a petition this week with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) calling on the agency to rescind its regulations requiring that car companies warrant partial zero emission vehicles for 15 years/150,000 miles.
Associations joining the suit include the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association, Automotive Repair Coalition, Automotive Trade Organizations of California, California Autobody Association, Automotive Service Councils of California, California Service Station and Repair Association and the California/Nevada Automotive Wholesalers Association.
The petition asserts that CARB has failed to present any evidence that a 15/150 warranty would reduce emissions, increase durability or improve maintenance of vehicle emissions systems. According to a study performed by the Penway Group, the extended warranty could result in the loss of $500 million to independent repair facilities between 2003 and 2008 resulting in the loss of nearly 2,500 jobs and 700 business closures, say the associations filing the petition.
The rules enacted by CARB in 2000 permit car companies to meet their zero emission vehicle requirements through the sale of partial zero emission vehicles which are hybrids and super low emitting vehicles that have extremely low emissions standards. In order to obtain credit, the vehicle’s emissions system must be warranted for 15 years/150,000 miles.
The petition further takes issue with CARB’s contention that warranties induce car owners to better maintain their vehicle. “If vehicle owners know that repairs are under warranty, they may be less likely to take early precautionary steps to avoid harm to or failure of their vehicles’ emissions system; because the increased costs of repairing the system due to owner’s neglect will not be borne by the owner.”
“The state has no business being in the business of mandating emissions warranties,” said Rodney Pierini, president and CEO of the California Automotive Wholesalers Association, speaking on behalf of the aftermarket coalition fighting the warranties.
“Warranties are marketing tools that should be left up to the marketplace to determine, not state bureaucrats. Given the choice, car owners have preferred the independent aftermarket based on price, convenience and trust. That choice is being taken away based on unsubstantiated claims by the board that a lifetime emissions warranty will protect the environment and improve vehicle maintenance,” he said.
“The negative impact on the California vehicle repair industry likely will be felt in other states around the country that have already or are considering adopting the CARB vehicle emissions standards,” Pierini said. “It is absolutely imperative that CARB accept this petition and immediately begin a rulemaking to eliminate the extended emissions warranties from its regulations.”
CARB now has 30 days to determine whether to undertake a rulemaking.
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