Automotive Aftermarket, Consumer Groups Laud Legislature and Governor for Reforming OBD Rules, Protecting Car Owners' Rights.

Business Editors/Automotive Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 5, 2000

As Governor Davis Signs SB 1146, Bill Supporters Look to

Working With CARB On Rules to Implement New Law

Responding to consumer concerns about forecasted massive increases in car care costs and widespread bankruptcies among independent automotive aftermarket businesses, California Governor Gray Davis signed into law SB 1146, a bill authored by Senator John Burton (D-San Francisco) to end the "lock out" of all but franchised new car dealers from vehicle on-board diagnostics (OBD) systems.

The bill, which received overwhelming bi-partisan support in the state legislature, was signed into law by Governor Davis on Sept. 30. Safeguarding consumers' right to choose their car care and car parts providers, SB 1146 was supported by a broad coalition of consumer, small business and independent automotive aftermarket groups, including the California State Automobile Association, the Auto Club of Southern California, Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, Consumer Federation of California, California Public Interest Research Group, Congress of California Seniors, the Independent Automobile Dealers Association, California Retailers Association and Small Business of America. Bill supporters also gathered and delivered to lawmakers and Governor Davis the signatures of more than 85,000 car owners from across the state who signed petitions urging the passage of SB 1146.

"This is an important piece of consumer legislation," said Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety. "It is going to save consumers billions of dollars in car care costs and help keep California's air clean. By signing SB 1146 into law, the governor has ensured that California's automotive aftermarket will remain competitive and that is good news for everyone."

OBD systems, which began to be phased in beginning in 1994 and became standard on all new cars and trucks in 1996, control and monitor all emissions-related parts and components, triggering the "check engine" light on the dashboard if a problem is detected. The new law ensures that independent repair shops and parts makers will no longer be denied access to the crucial electronic information and tools needed to perform OBD-related maintenance and repairs, and to produce compatible replacement parts for OBD-equipped vehicles.

Sam Cracraft, owner of Sacramento TBA, a parts distribution business, and chairman of the California Consumer Choice steering committee, said, "Our next step will be to work with the California Air Resources Board, the agency responsible for developing the rules necessary to implement SB 1146 before a Jan. 1, 2002 deadline. With SB 1146's overwhelming, bi-partisan support in the Legislature, combined with Governor Davis' stamp of approval, I think we can be very hopeful about the process for completing the OBD rule reforms with CARB."

In addition to the groups listed above, the California Consumer Choice coalition includes the following trade associations: Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA), Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Engine Rebuilders Association (AERA), Automotive Parts Rebuilders Association (APRA), Automotive Repair Coalition (ARC), Automotive Service Councils of California (ASC-CA), Automotive Trade Organizations of California (AUTO-CA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), California Autobody Association (CAA), California Automotive Wholesalers' Association (CAWA), California Automotive Teachers (CAT), California Service Station and Automotive Repair Association (CSSARA), California Tow Trucks Association (CTTA), Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality (CARE) and Motor Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA).