California Aftermarket Parts Bill Defeated - aftermarketNews

California Aftermarket Parts Bill Defeated

The California Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA) has announced a big win for California consumers with the defeat of SB 1059 (Migden), a bill aimed at restricting consumers' ability to have aftermarket parts installed on their vehicles. A large coalition including CAWA, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality, LKQ/Keystone, California Retailers Association, AAA, insurance industry and others, worked together to lobby against SB 1059, which would have made it unlawful for any insurer to require the installation of an aftermarket part for the first three years of the vehicle's life as well as restrict the ability of insurers to replace a part with a lower priced replacement part during this same three year period.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The California Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) has announced a big win for California consumers with the defeat of SB 1059 (Migden), a bill aimed at restricting consumers’ ability to have aftermarket parts installed on their vehicles.

A large coalition including CAWA, Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality, LKQ/Keystone, California Retailers Association, AAA, insurance industry and others, worked together to lobby against SB 1059, which would have made it unlawful for any insurer to require the installation of an aftermarket part for the first three years of the vehicle’s life as well as restrict the ability of insurers to replace a part with a lower priced replacement part during this same three year period.

"The California State Senate clearly understands that SB 1059 is bad for California consumers," said Rodney Pierini, president and CEO, CAWA. "Given the soaring costs of fuel and increasing costs of everyday goods and services, consumers deserve options from both the high costs of original equipment parts as well as increased insurance premiums. Insurers being forced to approve only one sourced, high-priced part when the same or better quality aftermarket part is available and backed by long-term or lifetime warranties, is a lose-lose for consumers."

Aftermarket replacement parts are in most cases manufactured by the same companies that manufacture the car company parts, and the only difference can be the box it is marketed in and the price of the part. In addition, aftermarket parts are identical or even more improved parts that come with long-term or life-time warranties and cost up to 50 percent less than the identical car company part.

"Aftermarket businesses and their employees should be extremely proud of this accomplishment," said Aaron Lowe, vice president government affairs, AAIA. "Working together, there is no stopping the automotive aftermarket when faced with constant ploys by the car companies and others to restrict our ability to serve our customers, offer affordable and quality automotive replacement parts and remain competitive in the marketplace."

Many members of CAWA and coalition partners contacted their state Senators and encouraged them to vote no on SB 1059.

"We appreciate our members’ support of CAWA’s government affairs program and want to tell them that without their calls, emails and faxes to legislators we may not have been so successful in defeating this measure," Pierini added. "We need our members to be effective in the government affairs process."

You May Also Like

SEMA Urges Members to Support Tax Relief Bill

The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 benefits specialty automotive aftermarket businesses, according to SEMA.

SEMA Action Network

SEMA is encouraging its members to reach out to their representatives and ask for their support on H.R. 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024. The bill, which The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote on this week, benefits specialty automotive aftermarket businesses, according to SEMA, by allowing for the immediate expensing of R&D and investments in equipment and increasing the small business expensing cap by nearly 30%.

ASA Endorses Bipartisan Tax Framework

The Automotive Service Association says the legislation is beneficial for independent automotive repair businesses.

Industry Partners Urge Congress to Pass R&D Deductibility Fix

“Congress must restore this tax provision to enhance U.S. competitiveness, job creation and innovation as soon as possible,” said Ann Wilson, MEMA’s executive vice president of government affairs.

Legislators Challenge Vehicle Data Access ‘Double Standard’

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Pérez joined other legislators in sending a letter to NHTSA about proposed guidance for implementing the Massachusetts Right to Repair law.

House Passes Bill to Stop EPA Emissions Mandate

The U.S. House passed the “Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act” (H.R. 4468) with bipartisan support.

Opposition Grows for California’s Mandate Banning New Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales

Other Posts

U.S. House Schedules Vote to Stop EPA Emissions Mandate

The SEMA-supported bill would prohibit the EPA from finalizing federal emissions standards for light- and medium-duty motor vehicles model years ’27 to ’32.

emissions
Section 301 Tariffs & Circumvention: A Closer Look

There’s buzz suggesting that these tariffs are likely here to stay, possibly with even steeper charges on specific items.

Maine Voters Overwhelmingly Back Right to Repair

Over 80% of Mainers voted “yes” to ensure that they and their repair shops can access vehicle diagnostic tools and data.

AAPEX Keynote: Right to Repair Takes Center Stage

While there are headwinds, Congressional support is moving the REPAIR Act forward.

Right to Repair AAPEX