Washington, D.C. — June 2, 2014 — A new report released in the U.S. purports to show a dramatic price gap between original equipment manufacturer (OEM) and aftermarket or alternative versions of the top 20 most commonly sold certified auto collision repair parts from 2009 to 2014 in the U.S.
The study, compiled by the Quality Parts Coalition (QPC), found that the top 20 aftermarket parts that
were tested by the Certified Automotive Parts Association were priced up to 50 percent less than OEM
versions of the parts. Aftermarket versions of all of the top 20 were priced lower than the OEM versions;
the average was 29 percent less expensive.
“This report reinforces the importance of consumers having a choice when making collision repairs to
their cars,†said Ed Salamy, Executive Director of the QPC. “Without competition, auto manufacturers
would be free to charge inflated prices, and consumers would have no other options.â€
A statement from QPC says that in recent years, automakers have begun exploiting a loophole in design patent law to limit access to alternative collision repair parts.
Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in both the U.S. House and Senate that would change this, the Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales (PARTS) Act of 2013 (H.R. 1663 and S. 780).
“It is simply not fair to saddle consumers with higher repair and insurance costs as a result of car
companies seeking to eliminate competition and charge monopolistic prices,†said Jack Gillis, director of
public affairs for the Consumer Federation of America. “This report highlights the extraordinary consumer
savings inherent in a competitive marketplace and the need for Congress to pass the PARTS Act without
delay. Consumers need to make their voices heard to ensure that happens.â€
QPC has a website to build support for passage of the PARTS Act at supportpartsact.com.
