Florida Automotive Industry Association Celebrates Golden Anniversary by Putting Youngest Person and Second Woman Ever in Its History in Driver's Seat at Conference in Orlando, July 23-25

Auto 'Right to Repair' Key Topic at Annual Conference

ORLANDO, Fla., July 20 -- In 1954, the Ford Thunderbird debuted at a base sticker price of just $2,695. The Vietnam War began. And the Florida Automotive Industry Association was incorporated as the Florida Automotive Wholesalers Association, serving the needs of the statewide automotive aftermarket. Since that time, the Association has grown to a membership of over 350 independent businesses while it has witnessed a lot of change in the auto industry.

Who would have thought 50 years ago that a young woman would ever head an automobile association, an industry that has been traditionally male-dominated and directed? Who would have believed, in 1954, that motoring consumers would ever have to battle for the right to repair their own automobiles?

These dynamic and diverse aspects reflect today's automotive industry in Florida as well as nationwide. Showcasing its lively history and future challenges, the Florida Automotive Industry Association will gather in Orlando for its Golden Anniversary Celebration and Conference July 23-25. It will be held at the JW Marriott Orlando, Grande Lakes Resort. Other highlights include the FAIA Car Show, featuring over 40 cars in the categories of Antique, Hot Rod, Vintage and Custom, as well as the display of NASCAR race driver Richard Petty's car.

Says its incoming President, 37-year-old Eileen Sottile, who is the second woman in 50 years to head the FAIA and the youngest President ever, "The FAIA has seen the auto aftermarket make shifts in many areas such as including women not only behind the wheel but in the board room. We've also witnessed how car companies are excluding the automotive aftermarket from gaining access to information they need to diagnose and repair vehicles. Under my watch, I hope to lead the FAIA in its charge to battle for the Right to Repair, now in Congress." She is Director, Government Relations, at Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc., located in 38 states.

This bill, the national Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, H.R. 2735 and its companion in the Senate, S. 2138, is about ownership and the right of consumers to choose where, how and by whom to have their vehicles repaired, even if they wish to work on it themselves. Sandy Bass-Cors, Executive Director of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality, will speak on this topic.

Other topics and speakers slated for Saturday, July 24 include "Tips for Hiring," presented by Willi Alexander, President and CEO, Parts Depot, VA; "Consumer Protection," by J.R. Kelly, Director of Consumer Services, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services; and "The Survival of the Aftermarket Industry," presented by Stan Rodman, Executive Director, Automotive Body Parts Association. A Florida State Legislative reception is planned for Saturday evening from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

FAIA fosters cooperation between wholesalers, repair facilities and manufacturers in Florida to advance the independent automotive industry. For more information, go to their website: http://www.faia.org/.