Many Recalled Cars Remain Unrepaired
Timothy Michaud died in May after falling from the tailgate of a Chevrolet pickup and suffering severe head injuries. The 19-year-old from Maine never knew General Motors Corp. had recalled the pickup two months earlier because the tailgate cables could corrode and snap. At the time of the accident, Michaud’s employer, which owned the used 2000 pickup, hadn’t received a recall notice, said Stephen Schwarz, an attorney for the Michaud family. The pickup was one of the millions of recalled vehicles that go unrepaired each year. Sometimes vehicle owners are at fault for not getting repairs. But some safety experts say automakers and federal regulators share the blame because they haven’t developed a better system to track whether a vehicle has in fact been repaired.
CARS 2004 Sets Attendance Record
The Automotive Service Association has reported that a new attendance record was set with this year’s Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). More than 700 people were in attendance at this year’s show, held at the Flamingo Las Vegas during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW). CARS is the premier event of the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division.
U.S. Keeping Crash Data Secret, Officials Backtrack on Safety Disclosure Amid Suit by Tire Makers
Federal auto safety officials are backtracking on a pledge to give consumers access to detailed data on which cars and trucks may be linked to deaths, injuries and property damage. The reason: Tire makers have sued to prevent its release.
Info on Car Safety Off-Limits to Public
The federal agency that oversees auto safety has decided — based largely on arguments from automakers and their Washington, D.C., lobbyists — that reams of data relating to unsafe automobiles or defective parts will not be available to the public. Specifically, the government has banned the release of car and truck warranty-claims information, customer complaints and early-warning reports about defects from dealers, automakers and rental car companies, even if media outlets or other groups push for it under the Freedom of Information Act.
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.
Former RMA VP Joins MEMA
On June 1, Ann Wilson, formerly of the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) in Washington, D.C., will join the staff at the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). Previously, Wilson served as the vice president of government affairs at RMA. She will serve in the same role with MEMA.
New Mobile Air Conditioning Climate Protection Goal Announced
In conjunction with Earth Day yesterday, a new partnership agreement between select members of industry, government and environmental advocacy organizations was announced. The new collaborative effort will work to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the operation of motor vehicle air conditioning (A/C) systems.
National Tire Safety Week Participation Growing
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has announced that participation in the third annual National Tire Safety Week has doubled this year, with more than 8,000 tire retail stores participating. As part of the campaign, tire retailers will distribute “Be Tire Smart” brochures produced by RMA. The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) has announced that participation in the third annual National Tire Safety Week has doubled this year, with more than 8,000 tire retail stores participating. As part of the campaign, tire retailers will distribute “Be Tire Smart” brochures produced by RMA.
ASA Launches New Government Affairs Web Site
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has launched a new Web site to help communicate with federal and state representatives about issues impacting the automotive repair industry. According to a press release issued yesterday, the new Web site will help ASA and its members “mobilize support or dissent for issues directly impacting the automotive repair industry on both federal and state levels.”