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California’s SB 350 Reverts to Customer Notification, May Move Jurisdiction to CDI
California Senate Bill 350 reverted in the State Assembly on March 22 to requiring that the consumer be informed of the types of parts being used to repair their vehicle. In addition, the bill suggests moving law that covers aftermarket parts from the jurisdiction of the Department of Consumer Affairs to that of the Insurance Department. Existing California law prohibits (under the state's Business and Professions code) an insurer from requiring the use of aftermarket crash parts unless the consumer is advised before repairs are made that aftermarket crash parts will be used., SB 350, last ammended in the Assembly on Jan. 12, would in addition prohibit the use of nonoriginal equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts unless specified requirements are met, in-
cluding that those parts are at least equal to the original equipment manufacturer parts in terms of kind, quality, safety, fit, and performance; the insurer so warrants; the insurer pays the cost of any modifications to those parts necessary to effect the repair; and all original and nonoriginal equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts, manufactured on or after January 1, 2011, when supplied by auto body repair shops contain specified identification. Senate Bill 350 would now leave that provision intact and in addition would require any insurer specifying the use of aftermarket parts to warrant that they are "of like kind, quality, safety, fit, and performance as original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts.”
Mopar® is joining forces on two projects with renowned custom-car builder and Autobody News columnist Rich Evans at the 5th Annual Chrysler Spring Festival in Irvine, CA. Evans will utilize Mopar parts and bring to life a customized Dodge Challenger for the 2010 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, Nev., Nov. 3–6, 2010. Evans will also serve as a judge in a newly-formed tuner category of Mopar’s “Top Eliminator” enthusiast recognition program. Well known to our long-term readers as the owner of Huntington Beach Bodyworks and Rich Evans Designs, Evans is a
master automotive fabricator, welder and painter. His custommade rides have appeared in numerous movies and television programs, including Rich Evans Pimp My Ride, Monster Garage, Man Cave and Chop, Cut & Rebuild. The Southern California native also recently debuted a new iPhone App, The Rides of Rich Evans. His one-of-a-kind Mopar-flavored ride for the 2010 SEMA Show will begin with a base 2010 Dodge Challenger.
See SB 350 AMENDED, Page 4
Mopar® Teams Ups with Custom-Car Designer Rich Evans at 5th Annual Chrysler Festival
VOL. 28 ISSUE 4 APRIL 2010
CRA Brings Bumper Reinforcement Bars to Insurance Commissioner’s Legal Counsel
The Insurance Commissioner’s office opened its doors for two bumper reinforcement bars for a 2009 Toyota Corolla, courtesy of the CRA board of directors, on March 4. CRA president and Autobody News columnist Lee Amaradio (owner of “Faith” Quality Auto Body in Murrieta) and treasurer John Tyczki (A M Auto Body, San Diego) hauled the bars into the Department of Insurance’s Sacramento headquarters to demonstrate the material difference between OEM and aftermarket parts. Observing was Peter Conlin, counsel to the commissioner. “I believe Conlin saw the difference between OEM and aftermarket,” said Amaradio, “ and he certainly understood the ramifications of a safety-related part that fails to perform during a collision. But
the question remains, will the commissioner take action, or will the collision industry continue to be given the stall by a regulator who wants to be govLee Amaradio ernor.” Also participating were CRA executive director Allen Wood and the association’s lobbyist, Richard Steffen. Wood noted that the CRA had delivered two written requests to Commissioner Poizner in February, both asking that he view a demonstration showing the structural inferiority of aftermarket bumper supports and that he also consider alerting claimants who have had their damaged vehicles repaired with aftermarket bumper See CRA IN SACRAMENTO, Page 4
See MOPAR AND EVANS, Page 20
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Service, Service, Diagnostic Diiagnostic D and an d Mechanical M e ch aniccal al NEWS nd Mec echanical Mech ech ec hanical ca
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