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Source: Motor Age AAIA using Consumer Reports data to support Right to RepairApril 25, 2008According to the May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, more Americans (71 percent) are very satisfied with independent repair shops for vehicle service than new car dealers (53 percent). The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) is taking this data into its campaign for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694).
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Source: Motor AgeAAIA urging support for federal patent lawApril 22, 2008The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), has called on Congress to support H.R. 5638, legislation that would amend federal patent law to provide an exception from design patent infringement for alternative repair parts used for the purpose of restoring a vehicle to its original appearance.
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Source: Motor AgeSEMA offers research and new ideas at annual education conferenceApril 15, 2008Mass customization, which on the surface seems to be an oxymoron, is a trend that is going mainstream and is likely to change the specialty parts business, according to Jim Spoonhower, vice president of research for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA). Speaking at SEMA's 2008 National Education Conference in Nashville, Tenn., Spoonhower predicted that the specialty parts businesses that can customize their products or services to the masses stand to be the winners.
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Source: Motor AgeNew Jersey action could spread to other statesApril 11, 2008ORLANDO ? New Jersey retailers of all types have easier access to state contracts now, including automotive needs. The state recently signed a purchasing agreement alliance to purchase automotive parts for its fleet of vehicles from the U.S. Communities Government Purchasing Alliance. And word of this is spreading around the IWD/Auto Pride Annual Conference. In addition to these thoughts on WDs' and jobbers' minds, IWD, Auto Pride and Truck Pride members are taking part in business meetings and vendor updates, learning tips to operate a better business and taking part in a manufacturer booth show.
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Source: Motor AgeCARB puts ZEV production number at 7,500April 2, 2008The California Air Resources Board (CARB) will triple the amount of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs) proposed for production by automakers from 2012 through 2014. CARB staff members originally proposed a requirement of 2,500 vehicles but the board increased this to 7,500.
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Source: Motor AgeFreeze Frame: load levelingApril 1, 2008I recently met with the Keystone Packard Club newsletter editor, who asked if I had any experience with Packards. I told him about one day when I was a boy spending the summer with my cousins who lived in a tiny community in rural Delaware.
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