NJ Assembly 'Regulated Professions & Independent Authorities Committee' Attempts to Pass Anti-Consumer, Pro-Car Company Legislation, States Care; Violation of Federal Law

ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 12, 2005 -- Legislation that was first introduced by former Assemblyman Impreveduto has languished in the New Jersey State Assembly waiting for a "taker" to run with it. Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Parin, Middlesex) has now "taken" up the cause of the car companies, to the detriment of hardworking motorists, he is trying to pass his bill today in the Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee.

Assembly Bill number 3682 is what is often known as a crash parts bill. These bills are often in violation of federal law, steer consumers to higher priced car dealer parts and repairs, and have the potential for raising motorists' insurance premiums. Crash parts bills have been killed by hardworking people in over 33 states.

"The reason that the car companies promote crash parts bills is that they currently are trying to boost their low car sales by making higher profits by selling higher priced car parts to motorists. Once a vehicle is out of warranty, the automotive aftermarket receives between 75 percent and 80 percent of the market share from consumers. The reason? Automotive aftermarket parts are manufactured by the SAME manufacturers that manufacture car dealer parts. The only differences are that 1) aftermarket parts cost up to 50 percent LESS than car dealer parts, and aftermarket parts come with life-time or long-term warranties -- which car dealer parts do not. 2) Consumers prefer choices in their parts and repairs, and that means freely choosing aftermarket parts," stated Sandy Bass-Cors, The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality's (CARE) Executive Director.

"Although AB 3682 focuses on 'aftermarket collision parts,' the reality of the bill is that it also includes 'hard parts and under the hood parts.' The bill is worded to encompass even headlights. The truth of those promoting this legislation is that it has nothing to do with safety, but everything to do with profit motive. When a part already costs up to 50 percent more, as the car dealer parts do, the labor and other costs are more and that is passed on to the consumers.

"In addition, AB 3682 includes legislative language that calls for a 5 1/2 year vehicle warranty period to use or steer consumers to car dealer parts. This is blatantly in violation of Federal Law known as the Magnuson-Moss Act, passed in the 1970s, which PROHIBITS WARRANTIES FROM BEING TIED TO REPAIRS.

"Another 'Free Speech' problem is that the bill states that words such as 'quality' or 'economy' or 'approved' or any other words cannot be used to imply that the parts are desirable. A few years ago the state of Montana lost a court case on a related 'free speech' crash parts bill. Why does the New Jersey Assembly want to find themselves with the same problem?" asked Sandy Bass-Cors, CARE Executive Director.

Restricting, making it difficult or eliminating aftermarket parts is equivalent to doing the same to generic brand medicines. The aftermarket is the generic of the auto industry.

"Motorists have no idea that they could be forced into car dealer parts by legislation passed by the New Jersey Assembly Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee, today. CARE asks all motoring consumers to contact the Regulated Professions and Independent Authorities Committee and voice their opposition," concluded Bass-Cors.