The ABPA welcomes support from our members to assist in advocacy efforts. To make a donation to the ABPA Legal Fund, download the ABPA Legal Fund Pledge Form. If you opt for a regular contribution, you will receive a monthly invoice from the ABPA. All funds are directly deposited to the ABPA Legal Fund Account. Donations can also be made via PayPal by clicking the button below:

In February 2023, U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Brendan Boyle (D-PA-02), Warren Davidson (R-OH-08), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-03) reintroduced the “Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act” (H.R. 906). The legislation will ensure the preservation of consumer choice, a competitive marketplace, and the continued safe operation of the nation’s 292 million registered passenger and commercial motor vehicles, 70% of which are maintained by independent repair facilities. As vehicle technology becomes even more complex, the car companies create new barriers that limit consumer choice which increase the cost to repair and maintain vehicles. The REPAIR Act will reduce these barriers, putting consumers’ interests first.

Related Links:

• Legislative Alert: Take Action Now! Ask Your U.S. Representative to Support the REPAIR Act (February 2023)
• Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) Applauds the Introduction of the REPAIR Act (February 2023)

In June 2021, the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation amends U.S. design patent law to reduce from 14 years to 2.5 years the time car manufacturers can enforce design patents on collision repair parts against alternative parts suppliers. The current patent term prevents aftermarket manufacturers from making or selling external collision repair parts, which drives up repair costs by limiting consumer choice, crowding out competition, and leading to higher insurance rates and fees. Under the SMART Act, it would not be an act of infringement for an alternative parts supplier to sell an aftermarket collision repair part once 2.5 years have elapsed from the date of patent. The Act would also allow alternative parts suppliers to research, develop, make, and test parts on a not-for-sale basis during the new patent period. The Act would not alter the 14-year period that car companies can enforce design patents against other car companies. It would impact only aftermarket repair parts.

Related Links:

• ABPA Members: Follow MyPartsChoice.com and Show Your Support for the SMART Act (November 2021)
• Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act (June 2021)
• ABPA Applauds and Supports Introduction of the SMART Act (June 2021)

The ABPA is a founding member of the Consumer Access to Repair (CAR) Coalition. The CAR Coalition is a group of independent automotive parts and repair companies, associations and insurers dedicated to preserving and protecting consumer choice, transparency, and affordability in the post collision repair market.

Related Links:

• CAR Coalition Launches National Right to Repair Campaign (9/30/2021)
• National Survey: 79% of Car Owners Would Back Law Barring Automakers from Blocking Access to Vehicle Data (4/28/2021)
• CAR Coalition Launches New Video, Call to Action for Consumer Protection Legislation (2/16/2021)
• ABPA Announces that It Is a Founding Member of the CAR Coalition (7/1/2020)
• CAR Coalition website
• Follow on Twitter
• Request connection on LinkedIn

On July 16, 2019, the FTC hosted a workshop titled “Nixing the Fix” to examine ways in which manufacturers may limit third-party repairs. The ABPA submitted data to the FTC in response to their request for research focused on such limitations. Although we were not selected as panelists in the workshop, we did attend in person in Washington, DC. Further, we were able to secure a personal meeting with the FTC later in the summer where we submitted more data.

In May 2021, the FTC released a report titled “Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions” which urges expanded consumer access to auto repair options. The report is a summary of findings from the 2019 “Nixing the Fix” project. The ABPA is mentioned on pages 22 and 40 of the report.

Related Links:

• Nixing the Fix: An FTC Report to Congress on Repair Restrictions (May 2021)
• ABPA Applauds FTC Report on Consumer Issues Within the Auto Repair Market (May 2021)
• ABPA Submits Data for Consideration in the FTC “Nixing the Fix” Workshop (Jul 2019)
• ABPA Follow-up to FTC “Nixing the Fix” Workshop (Aug 2019)

The ABPA has received concerns from members regarding the significant increase in freight rates for importing containers from overseas. To address this matter, we have written to the Chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), Daniel Maffei, clearly addressing our concerns and how it is affecting both ABPA members and consumers. We have also been communicating with other Associations who have members that have been affected with the intention of having a unified voice in working with the FMC. I encourage any ABPA member to reach out to us directly should they have any concerns on this matter.

Related Links:

• ABPA Signs Letter to FMC Expressing Concerns of Excess Dwell Fees Being Passed off to Importers & Consumers (November 2021)
• ABPA Applauds Federal Maritime Commission’s (FMC) Assessment of Carrier Rates (July 2021)

The ABPA and a coalition of more than 152 other companies and trade associations representing U.S. importers, exporters, transportation providers and other supply chain stakeholders submitted a letter of support to Congress endorsing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021.

Related Links:

• ABPA Signs Coalition Support Letter Endorsing Ocean Shipping Reform Act
• Letter of Support to Congress Endorsing the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021

The ABPA is closely monitoring the effects of the 232 Tariffs on our members and speaking up against these tariffs whenever possible. This includes the July 2018 hearing in Washington, DC. Please contact the ABPA for additional information, including how to apply for exceptions.

Related Links:

• Senate Finance Committee to Convene Hearing on the Impact of Tariffs on the U.S. Auto Industry
• ABPA Position Statement Against Proposed Section 232 Tariffs

As a member of the Auto Care Association, the ABPA is working with Auto Care leadership in educating and engaging ABPA members in vehicle data restrictions. The Auto Care Association is currently marketing the “Your Car. Your Data. Your Choice.” campaign. To find out more on this issue and how you as an ABPA member can act and make your voice heard, visit the Auto Care Association Telematics website.

In April 2021, the ABPA launched MyPartsChoice.com, a consumer information portal dedicated to providing consumers with the resources needed to fully understand and manage the auto repair process, and the importance of choice when considering the parts used in repairs.

Please visit MyPartsChoice.com and share the link to help ensure consumer parts choice and right to repair options are not terminated or compromised by car companies.