Statement by Marty Keller, Executive Director the California Automotive Repair Coalition

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--Sept. 10, 2003--The following is a statement from Marty Keller, Executive Director the California Automotive Repair Coalition:

"The automotive repair industry -- both body collision and mechanical repair shops -- wholeheartedly supports a proactive and effective regulatory system that protects consumers and ensures enforcement practices reflect the realities of today's auto repair marketplace.

"We recognize that the stronger the regulatory oversight, the stronger our industry.

"We're concerned that, unlike auto repair technicians, BAR inspectors are not required to have formal training in auto repair or to keep current on auto repair safety standards.

"Also disturbing from a consumer safety standpoint is the fact it only takes $200 and an address for someone to open an auto repair shop. We believe enforcing requirements for opening a repair shop is much more cost-effective than the punitive approach of looking for problems after the fact.

"We believe in strengthening the existing regulatory structure to ensure, for example, that all BAR field inspectors have the appropriate level of training, knowledge and ability to properly evaluate repair work and to ensure that a license from the Department of Consumer Affairs actually means something.

"The auto repair industry has spent millions of dollars in training of our technicians and in improving service to our customers."