April 5 , 2017—The Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales Act (PARTS Act) of 2017 was introduced in Congress on Monday. The bills (H.R. 1879/S. 812) would expand consumer choice for certain parts of motor vehilces, cut costs paid by motoring consumers and insurance companies, and increase competition.
U.S. Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) are the Senate sponsors and Darrell Issa (R-CA) and Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) are the U.S. Representative lead sponsors. The original co-sponsors of the bill are Reps. Blake Farentold (R-TX), Steve Cohen (D-TN), Scott Perry (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI).
The PARTS Act would amend the U.S. design patent law to reduce a car manufacturer’s design patent parts proection for automakers down from 14 years to 2.5 years.
"According to a study by Microeconomic Consulting & Research Associates, consumers will realize a savings of $1.5 Billion a year by having the ability to purchase high quality, but less expensive, aftermarket collision parts when their vehicles have been involved in an accident," said Ray Pohlman, president of the Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE). "The automotive aftermarket wishes to thank the House and Senate sponsors for their leadership in doing what's right for America's motoring consumers.
"We hope that House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlette (R-VA) and Senate Judiciary Chairman Charles Grassley (R-IA) will hold hearings as soon as possible in order to progress the bills for consumers," concluded Pohlman.
