Aftermarket Works to Implement Anti-Diagnostics Lockout Regulations
NAPA Auto Parts to Supply Wrenchead.com
Johnson Controls to Supply Pep Boys with Batteries
Members of the automotive aftermarket testified before the California Air Resources Board "to ensure effective implementation" of SB 1146, the law to eliminate OBD lock-out.
"We needed a strong showing at this workshop," said Aaron Lowe, vice president of Government Affairs for the AAIA, "both to show our interest and to show that we are a strong force with a positive interest in the regulations being enacted. They’re going to take a lot of heat from the car companies and from the dealers with this and they’re going to need to feel they have some backup."
Among the issues being debated by CARB is the implementation date for the lockout regulations. CARB is proposing an implementation date of Jan. 1, 2002; however, the auto manufacturers are lobbying for a one-year delay.
A second issue is the cost that will be charged to make the OBD information available to the aftermarket. "The car companies will charge us money for the information," explained Lowe. "We think this charge should be equal to the cost of making this information available. We don’t want this to become a profit center for the auto manufacturers.
"The debate with CARB as to how they look at the language of cost is going on right now and is a very important one," Lowe added.
"As the regulations are developed to implement SB 1146, we must maintain our diligence," said Chuck Herr, NAPA Auto Parts, Escondido, "to ensure that the law keeps its teeth to achieve the goals of preserving the independent aftermarket and preserving consumers’ rights to choose who will work on their cars and the parts they will use."
"We are pleased that CARB recognized the importance to the state’s clean air program of ensuring that independents have the tools, information, and parts necessary to work on OBDII-equipped vehicles," testified Jim O’Neill, Chico Autotech, Chino.
O’Neill added, "A key component of the proposal that needs to be strengthened is ensuring that the price tag charged by car companies for that information is affordable to small and medium-sized independent businesses."
Also testifying before CARB were Paul Frech, C&F Service & Repair, Costa Mesa, and Will Woods, representing the California Service Station and Repair Association, Irvine.
SB 1146 passed the California Legislature and was signed into law last year to end the lock out of independent repair shops and parts manufacturers from vehicle on-board diagnostics systems.
NAPA Auto Parts has signed a deal to supply all the auto parts and accessories sold to consumers from the website Wrenchead.com
Under the terms of the deal, customers visiting Wrenchead.com will be linked directly to NAPAonline.com where they will be able to order from the company’s inventory of parts, accessories, tools and equipment.
Wrenchead.com is a website focusing on the consumer automotive aftermarket sector. The site serves "do-it-yourselfers " as well as professional technicians with installation, maintenance and repair.
The Pep Boys has named Johnson Controls, Inc. as a supplier of automotive, marine and utility batteries.
Under the multi-year agreement, Johnson Controls will begin supplying Pep Boys with batteries on March 15 and by July 1, Pep Boys will stock the company’s complete battery line including the Optima and Energizer brands. Johnson Controls will also manufacture Pep Boys’ private label ProStart brand.
"We’re pleased to establish a relationship with Pep Boys," said Bill Nonnamaker, Johnson Controls vice president of national accounts, sales and marketing. "We continue to expand our manufacturing capacity, so we are ready to serve Pep Boys as well as our many existing customers with the highest-quality batteries and service."
Originally published in the June/July 2001 issue of Automotive Booster Magazine.
Copyright 2001 by KAL Publications Inc.
Covering the California auto parts aftermarket since 1928.
