The Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, a division of the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association, has updated two of its special reports regarding aftermarket parts quality and distributor responsibility.
“We have updated two reports as part of our series of special reports that support our ‘Know Your Parts’ industry awareness and education campaign,” says Steve Handschuh, president and chief operating officer of AASA. “This series of reports and the ‘Know Your Parts’ campaign are aimed at improving the image of the entire automotive aftermarket by raising awareness of the essential services provided by the suppliers of quality aftermarket products – which include testing, quality control, warranties and much more.”
The two updated reports are:
• “Reseller Liability on Will-Fit, Private Label and Counterfeit Products” – first issued by AASA in February 2008, this paper examines the legal liability for counterfeiting, product safety issues and recalls that could fall upon the reseller of automotive aftermarket products in certain instances. This update includes recent court decisions in this area and discusses instances where resellers have been found liable.
• “Direct Importing: Do the Risks Outweigh the Reward?” – updates AASA’s report from October 2007 and addresses some of the serious potential risks to resellers when considering the option of direct importing and the growing concern on product safety of imported products.
These reports and others are available for free download at the “Know Your Parts” website, www.AASAKnowYourParts.org.
“AASA is committed to raising industry awareness about the value of quality aftermarket products to everyone in the aftermarket supply chain. We offer these reports at no charge to help spread the word, ‘Know Your Parts,’” said Jack Cameron, AASA vice president and group executive of the AASA Marketing Executives Council, which spearheaded the campaign.
