The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) sent a letter to Louisiana Attorney General James D. “Buddy” Caldwell responding to mischaracterizations and disparaging statements made about recycled automotive parts.
In public comments related to a recent lawsuit filed by the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office against State Farm Insurance for allegedly steering consumers to direct repair providers who must comply with insurer requirements for replacement parts, Attorney General Caldwell is quoted as saying: “In some cases, we’ve found that these parts are nothing more than used junk yard parts.”
The Attorney General’s statement leads consumers to believe that salvaged/recycled automotive parts are unsafe and inferior to new original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts. Recycled genuine original OEM parts meet OEM requirements. They are OEM parts, designed by the OEM, and built to meet the OEM requirements for fit, finish, durability, reliability and safety. Caldwell’s mischaracterization of recycled automotive parts does a disservice to consumers in Louisiana by seeking to limit their access to safe, affordable and environmentally friendly automobile repairs.
In the letter, ARA CEO Michael E. Wilson pointed out that the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals recently affirmed the use of salvage/recycled OEM crash parts in vehicle repairs. The Court also found that neither the West Virginia Automotive Crash Parts Act not Consumer Credit and Protection Act statute prohibited body shops or insurers from utilizing these parts, that aftermarket crash parts and salvage/recycled OEM crash parts are “diametrically” different products and not interchangeable, and, moreover, praised the insurers for using measures to reduce premium costs for their customers.
“The West Virginia ruling is a significant step forward for the professional automotive recycling industry and the increased utilization of genuine, recycled OEM parts,” said ARA CEO Michael E. Wilson. “Regrettably, not all state attorneys general have done their homework and educated themselves about our industry and the critical role that recycled OEM automotive parts play in the market.”
Published in the October 2014 Edition of American Recycler News
