[insert date]
The Honorable [insert name]
[insertaddress]
Washington, DC [insert zip code]
Dear [Senator/Representative][insert name]:
As organizationswith a presence in the great state of California, we respectfully request your support to cosponsor [S. 560/H.R. 1057], the “Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales Act” or the PARTS Act, companion legislation recentlyreintroduced by [Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) and Orrin Hatch(R-Utah)/U.S. Representatives Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.)]. As you may recall, we have been in touch in the past about this important legislation and why it’s critical for California residents and American drivers.
The goal of the PARTS Act is to ensure that Americans continue to have access to affordable and high-quality automotive repair parts for commonly-damaged car parts (e.g., bumper covers, hoods, mirrors).To do that, the PARTS Act would reduce auto manufacturers’ design patent monopoly period for exterior collision repair parts from 14 years to 30 months, limiting how long they can enforce these patents against alternative suppliers who sell more affordable repair parts. However, under the PARTS Act, auto manufacturers would still be able to enforce their patents on the overall design of the vehicle for 14 years against other auto manufacturers to make sure that competitors do not copy their designs.
Consumers benefit enormously from a competitive market for aftermarket parts and have for decades. Left unchecked, competition in the collision repair parts marketplace could disappear, affecting consumers by limiting choice and access to more affordable repair parts. According to the California Highway Patrol’s recent statistics, of the nearly25 million licensed drivers in California, property damage only on collisions cost Californians an estimated $3,000 per person and per collision, which totaled $700 million statewide.
Nationally, consumers could see up to $1.5 billion dollars in additional repair costs, which would drive up auto insurance premiums over time. Roughly 13 percent of vehicle owners do not carry insurance coverage for physical damage and they must pay for repairs out of their own pocket. Lack of competition could make these out-of-pocket costs higher for hard-working consumers.
In addition to the undersigned businesses and organizations that work in some fashion in this marketplace, the nation’s major consumer groups – the Consumer Federation of America, Consumers Union, Public Citizen, Center for Auto Safety, and the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety – have endorsed the PARTS Act.
Thank you for your time and consideration. Please help to preserve free markets and fair prices in the collision repair parts industry by supporting this legislation in the 114th Congress.
Sincerely,
[insertsignatures]