Congress Gives Automakers One More Chance to Share Data
Yesterday, scores of representatives from the automotive aftermarket along with representatives from the original equipment manufacturers turned up on Capitol Hill to attend a Congressional hearing on HR 2735 — the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act. If passed, HR 2735 would mandate that car manufacturers make available all service and repair information to independent service technicians. The hearing, which took place before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House and Energy Commerce Committee, is a major step forward for those who have been lobbying in support of the legislation.
Texas Insurer-Owned Repair Shop Lawsuit Begins Today
The Allstate v. Abbott trial on Texas’ new Insurer-Owned Repair shop law is scheduled to begin this Monday, September 20, at the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. On June 20, 2003, Texas Gov. Rick Perry signed into law Texas House Bill 1131, the Insurer-Owned Repair Facility Legislation. Earlier in the year, the Texas Senate passed the legislation by a unanimous vote of 31 to 0.
AAIA Calls on Regulators to Review GM Licensing Fee
In a Sept. 7 letter, AAIA called on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to take action regarding the recent announcement by General Motors (GM) that it is increasing the licensing fee for use of its data stream information to $50,000 from the current $10,000. In addition, the agreement spelled out by GM in a letter to tool companies requires that even if a company does not want to use 2004 model year information, they still must pay the new licensing fee if the tool providers want to include data stream information for past model year vehicles on their products (notwithstanding the fact that they may have already paid the fee to GM for that information under previous licensing agreements).
SEMA Launches New Offroad Show
The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has created an all new exclusive offroad event, which will take place Feb. 4-5, 2005 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Designed as a companion event to the well-established SEMA Spring Expo, and as an extension of the SEMA Show 2004 in Las Vegas, SEMA Offroad will target companies serving the recreational and performance offroad segments and aims to create new opportunities for this growing market.
RMA Gets Political
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) is hoping to boost the rubber industry’s participation in the upcoming presidential election. RMA has added a link to the Business Industry Political Action Committee’s (BIPAC) Prosperity Project on its web site — www.rma.org. The Prosperity Project is an online tool dedicated to increasing public awareness on political issues and voting. Through its participation in the project, visitors to the RMA web site can register to vote, contact elected officials or find information on the 2004 presidential election, legislation and policies.
Executive Interview with Paul Foley, Vice President, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA)
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Paul Foley, vice president of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), a market segment of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Join us as Foley brings us up to speed on the rapid growth of AASA since its creation two years ago, as well as several industry initiatives AASA is currently focusing on.
House Bill Would Target Non-Compliant Products
To help deter the import of automotive and other products that falsely claim compliance with federal or industry safety standards, Representatives Sander Levin, (D-Mich.) and Dave Camp, (R-Mich.), have sponsored H.R. 4152, which would make unlawful the importation, sale for importation or sale within the U.S. after importation, of products falsely labeled or advertised as meeting a U.S. government or industry performance or safety standard. The bill would amend Section 337 of America’s trade law, a section well known by aftermarket companies who have used the law against imports that infringe upon their trademarks, patents and other intellectual property rights.
Expiration Date Approaches: Automotive Suppliers Urge Congress to Restore Critical R&D Credit
With the research tax credit (R&D credit) set to expire Wednesday, June 30, the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) is urging Congress to act quickly both to restore the credit and to adopt modifications that will strengthen its incentive value. The cost of doing U.S.-based research for the nearly 16,000 companies that use the R&D credit, including many of MEMA’s member companies, will increase after June 30.
New ASA Web Site Sends More Than 900 Messages to Elected Officials
Since its initial launch in mid-March, the Automotive Service Association’s new grassroots Web site, www.TakingTheHill.com, has been responsible for sending more than 900 messages to elected federal and state officials.
Executive Interview with Scott Meyer, President of MEMA
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Scott Meyer, outgoing chairman of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). As he concludes his time as chairman of the association, he steps into a new role as interim president of MEMA, which is in the midst of celebrating its 100-year anniversary. Join us as Meyer shares his insights on the anniversary of MEMA’s centennial, and what lies ahead for both MEMA and the entire industry.