California Aftermarket Lobbies Against OBDII In Sacramento
Buses are Tracked by GPS as they Drive
APAA, ASIA Merge to Form New Association
Hyundai to Sell Parts Direct Over the Internet
Members of the automotive aftermarket from across California gathered in Sacramento for the 1999 Legislative Day at the Capitol to lobby for the passage of SB1146 (Burton) to ensure full access to on-board diagnostic (OBD) systems. The bill will prevent auto manufacturers from creating a monopoly on auto repairs by allowing only their dealerships and certified repair shops from working on late model vehicles.
One of the highlights of the day was a rally held on the steps of the Capitol to demonstrate the dangers to consumers if independent repair shops and other small businesses are " out" of engine repairs. In a separate session during the day, Senator Betty Karnette, Senate Transportation Committee Chair and co-author of SB1146 discussed the importance of the independent aftermarket.
The actions of the citizens in Sacramento were effective, according to Jennifer Thomas, director of government affairs for the CAWA. SB1146 passed the Senate Appropriations Committee on July 12 and is moving to the Senate floor for a vote. If successful before the full Senate, the bill will then move to the Assembly for review by committees.
" is only with the continued grassroots involvement of hundreds of members in the automotive aftermarket industry in California that SB1146 has garnered so much support in both the Senate and the Assembly," said Thomas. " car manufacturers have mounted an all-out aggressive grassroots battle to kill this bill. They are pulling out all the stops.
" is why it is so important for all involved in the aftermarket to contact their state Senators and Assembly Members and urge a ’yes’ vote. Passage of SB1146 is vital to the survival of the independent auto repair and parts industry."
In a technological innovation, a system has been introduced that will automatically call parents when their child’s school bus is approaching their bus stop.
The system, called BusCall, is being introduced by NotiCom LLC. Using Global Positioning System technology, BusCall tracks school bus route activity via satellite. The system operates automatically to interface with a computer monitoring the progress of the bus on its route.
As the school bus approaches the bus stop, the service places a call to the child’s home. The BusCall service also notifies parents when their child’s bus is running significantly ahead of or behind schedule.
" offers an opportunity for telephone and wireless service providers to connect with their communities ensuring greater safety for children and peace of mind for parents," said David Hall, president of NotiCom, announcing the product.
The Automotive Parts and Accessories Association (APAA) and the Automotive Service Industry Association (ASIA) have completed their merger into a new organization, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, effective as of the end of July.
Al Melillo, president of Harold Schnair Sales Company, Arlington, TX., has been selected as the first Chairman of new association. Melillo most recently was serving as Chairman of the APAA.
" am honored to serve as the first volunteer chairman of this new organization," said Melillo. " is committed to providing leadership in the automotive aftermarket industry. We believe this new organization will have an important influence on the way our members, legislators, regulators, and consumers look at our industry."
Other members of the AAIA Executive Committee include First Vice Chairman Ron Pyle, National Pronto Association; Second Vice Chairman Marc Graham, Jiffy Lube International; Third Vice Chairman Louis Merz, Delphi Automotive Systems Aftermarket; Secretary Michael Moshontz, Blue Magic, Inc.; Assistant Secretary J. Richard Fairbanks, Jr., Orleans Auto Supply, Inc., Treasurer E. James Lane, Jr., Snap-on.
Mort Schwartz, Chairman of Thermo King of Northern California, Alamo, CA., is serving as past chairman of the new association.
Gene Gardner, former head of ASIA, will serve as president of the AAIA and Alfred Gaspar, former head of the APAA, will serve as executive vice president.
AAIA will be comprised of eight membership segments, including Automotive, Retail, Automotive Electric (AEA), Heavy Duty, Manufacturers’ Representatives, Paint & Body Equipment (PBE), Tool & Equipment, and Trim. The heavy duty segment will continue as the Heavy Duty Distribution Association. Members of APAA and ASIA will automatically become members of AAIA.
The AAIA office is located at 4600 East-West Highway, Suite 300, Bethesda, MD 20814-3214 at the APAA’s former offices. The office phone is 301-654-6664; fax 301-654-3299; e-mail: aaia@aftermarket.org; or visit the organization’s Web site at: www.aftermarket.org.
Members of both organizations overwhelmingly approved the consolidation in late April.
Hyundai has launched a new website that will offer " part for every Hyundai ever sold in the American market."
" auto maker doing business in the United States currently has the capability to allow individual consumers to order any part for any car it has ever made," noted Hyundai officials. Consumers will have access to all of Hyundai Motor America’s parts catalogs and using a simple point-and-click interface will be able to order any part for their car. Once the part is ordered it can be picked up at a participating Hyundai dealership or mailed to a customer. The service is also available for independent parts garages and Hyundai noted that installers can arrange for dealers to deliver parts directly to their shops.
Originally published in the August/September 1999 issue of Automotive Booster Magazine.
Copyright 1999 by KAL Publications Inc.
Covering the California auto parts aftermarket since 1928.
