Upholds lower court finding that Ford’s design patents for the F-150 are valid and enforceable. The United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on July 23 published its public opinion rejecting arguments by the Automotive Body Parts Association (ABPA) that design patents covering a hood and headlamp for the Ford F-150 are invalid. […]
New Hampshire Legislature Passes OEM Collision Repair Procedures Bill
Legislation includes both collision repair and auto glass. Does not require use of OEM parts included in recommendations. The New Hampshire House of Representatives on Thursday concurred with Senate amendments to a bill prohibiting insurance companies from knowingly fail to pay a claims based upon OEM collision repair procedures. The bill keeps New Hampshire’s existing […]
Nevada Non-OEM Collision Repair Parts Bills Dies with End of Legislative Session
Bill that would have required insurers to pay for OEM parts for 60 months from a vehicle’s manufacture date did not make it to a vote. Nevada Assembly Bill 173 (AB 173) that sought to increase restrictions on insurer’s requirements that collision repair facilities use non-OEM collision repair parts died with the expiration of the […]
Auto Dealer Software Provider Settles Federal Trade Commission Data Security Allegations
An Iowa company that sells software and data services to auto dealers has agreed to take steps to better protect the data it collects, to settle Federal Trade Commission allegations that the firm’s poor data security practices led to a breach that exposed the personal information of millions of consumers. In a complaint, the FTC […]
Trump Administration Delays Action on Auto and Parts Tariffs 180 Days
Move will allow time for negotiations on trade in automobiles and parts under national security investigation. Announces agreement removing aluminum and steel tariffs on Canada and Mexico. President Trump issued a proclamation directing his Administration to pursue negotiations to protect the U.S. automobile industry. At the President’s direction, the United States Trade Representative will immediately […]
Part Supplier Associations Oppose Illinois OEM Collision Repair Procedures Bill
MEMA and AASA oppose Illinois legislation’s requirement for written authorization on aftermarket parts use. The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), MEMA’s light vehicle aftermarket division, have formally opposed a proposed Illinois law that would limit the use of quality aftermarket parts by requiring written consent for the […]
OEConnection Announces Solution to Connect with All Dealership Management Systems to Streamline Parts Order Processing
OEConnection LLC (OEC) announced it has completed integration of its DMS Connect technology solution with all five major Dealer Management System (DMS) providers in the United States and Canada. The solution connects a dealership’s DMS data with real-time inventory and pricing feeds, and links with the OEC solutions in which the dealership is enrolled, ensuring […]
California Bureau of Automotive Repair Proposes New Collision Repair Regulations
Regulator proposes revised definitions for OEM and non-OEM crash parts, require equipment and information necessary to repair vehicle, mandate OEM repair specifications. At a regulatory workshop held April 18 in conjunction with its quarterly advisory committee meeting, the California Bureau of Automotive Repair detailed several proposed changes to collision repair regulations in the state. Among […]
European Commission Fines Car Safety Equipment Suppliers $413 Million in Antitrust Settlement
Three suppliers conspired to raise prices on seatbelts, airbags and steering wheels to Volkswagen and BMW. The European Commission announced March 5 that it has fined Autoliv and TRW a total of €368,277,000 ($413.5 million) for breaching EU antitrust rules by participating in a cartel to raise the prices of automotive safety parts. Takata, the […]
Nevada Non-OEM Collision Repair Parts Bill Scheduled for Hearing March 1
Legislation would prohibit an insurer from requiring a collision repair facility to use non-OEM parts for 60 months from manufacture date of vehicle without consumer approval. Nevada Assembly Bill 173 (AB 173) would amend existing non-OEM part disclosure laws to prohibit insurers from requiring the use of non-OEM parts for the repair of physical damage […]