LANSING, Mich. (Dec. 9, 2015) — Executives of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) testified Dec. 2 before a Michigan legislative body on behalf of S.B. 430, a bill that would allow Michigan's independent auto repair shops to do business with whatever parts providers they choose.
“Insurance companies should not be mandating the use of a specific software, technology or vendor for purchasing parts,” said ASA President/Executive Director Dan Risley at the hearing before the Michigan Senate Insurance Committee.
ASA-Michigan President Ray Fisher also participated in the hearing, calling the bill “common-sense legislation” that would greatly benefit both Michigan consumers and repair shop owners.
Although S.B. 430 concerns mostly collision shop owners, it could also eventually affect mechanical repair operations, according to ASA Washington Representative Robert L. Redding.
“The issue is parts sourcing,” Mr. Redding told Tire Business. “If I deal with a local guy, and I buy garbage from him, I'll call him and he'll make it right.
“But insurance companies want me to go from a guy a mile away to a supplier in Nevada or Australia,” he said. “Then I have to negotiate for shipping, and the parts I get may not fit or even work.”
There is no time in the current Michigan legislative session to consider S.B. 430, but the bill will carry over to the next legislative session, Mr. Redding said.